Senior software engineer, windows/desktop applications

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications based in Italy.

This is a high-impact engineering role focused on building and evolving native Windows desktop applications used by millions of users worldwide. You will contribute to a product that transforms how people consume written content by turning it into accessible audio experiences across multiple platforms. The role involves deep ownership of Windows application architecture, performance, and usability, with a strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusive design. You will work in a highly collaborative, fully distributed engineering environment alongside world-class engineers, designers, and researchers. The position requires a strong balance of hands‑on development and architectural thinking, with responsibility for delivering polished, scalable, and reliable desktop software. You will also influence technical direction, improve engineering practices, and help shape the long‑term evolution of the Windows product experience.

• Lead the design, architecture, and development of native Windows desktop applications using Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and optionally C++.
• Define and enforce engineering best practices for performance, maintainability, memory management, and cross-version Windows compatibility.
• Drive accessibility initiatives, ensuring compliance with Windows accessibility APIs (e.g., UI Automation) and delivering inclusive user experiences.
• Collaborate with Product, Design, UX, QA, and other engineering teams to define feature scope and UI/UX architecture.
• Own the full software development lifecycle, from design and implementation to testing, release, and ongoing maintenance.
• Diagnose and resolve complex technical issues including performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, rendering issues, and compatibility challenges.
• Contribute to architectural decisions and improve system design for scalability and long-term maintainability.
• Mentor engineers, participate in code reviews, and help raise the overall engineering bar.

• 3+ years of experience in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI (or similar frameworks), C#, XAML, and optionally C++.
• Strong understanding of Windows application architecture, including .NET and native interop (Win32/WinRT/COM).
• Proven experience shipping production‑grade desktop applications with a focus on performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Hands‑on experience with accessibility APIs (e.g., Microsoft UI Automation) and building inclusive software.
• Strong computer science fundamentals including OOP, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, multithreading, and asynchronous programming.
• Experience in technical leadership, code reviews, and mentoring engineers.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across cross‑functional teams.
• User‑centric mindset with attention to detail in building intuitive, polished desktop experiences.

• Experience with UI automation testing, unit testing, and integration testing frameworks.
• Knowledge of performance optimization (startup time, memory usage, rendering, high‑DPI support).
• Familiarity with localization, internationalization, and RTL (right‑to‑left) UI support.
• Experience with telemetry, analytics, logging, crash reporting, and monitoring tools.
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines, release engineering, and desktop deployment workflows.
• Ability to own modules or feature areas end‑to‑end, including refactoring and technical debt management.

• Competitive compensation package aligned with experience and impact.
• Opportunity to work on a product used by millions globally with strong real‑world impact.
• Fully remote, distributed work environment with high flexibility and autonomy.
• High degree of ownership in architectural decisions and product direction.
• Leadership opportunities including mentoring and progression into senior technical roles.
• Mission‑driven culture focused on accessibility, inclusivity, and user impact.
• Collaborative engineering environment with strong emphasis on learning and technical excellence.

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