Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Des Moines, IA, USA

About the Role

The day-to-day activities of this role will involve defining and enforcing best practices for Windows desktop development, driving accessibility efforts, and collaborating with various stakeholders to shape feature planning and long-term product roadmaps. Given the nature of Speechify's products, there will be a strong emphasis on ensuring that all applications are accessible to users with disabilities, making your role pivotal in integrating and validating support for accessibility APIs.

Speechify is known for its innovative approach to making reading more accessible, and as a senior software engineer, you will be part of a team that has been recognized with prestigious awards, including being named the Chrome Extension of the Year by Google and a Design Award winner for Inclusivity by Apple. This role offers the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies, including Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, and XAML, and to be part of a company that is making a significant impact in the lives of its users.

What You Will Do

• Lead the design, architecture, and development of native Windows desktop applications using Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and when necessary, C++.
• Define and enforce best practices for Windows desktop development across the codebase, focusing on code architecture, performance, memory usage, responsive UI, cross-version compatibility, and maintainability.
• Drive accessibility efforts by integrating and validating support for accessibility APIs, ensuring UI controls, focus management, keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, and usability for users with disabilities.
• Collaborate closely with product designers, UX researchers, QA, and other stakeholders to shape feature planning, UI/UX architecture, and long-term roadmap for the Windows platform.
• Take ownership of the full lifecycle of features from conception to design, implementation, testing, release, and maintenance, ensuring quality, reliability, and consistency across releases.
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex bugs, performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, rendering issues, or compatibility problems, proposing robust architectural or design solutions.
• Conduct code reviews, provide technical mentorship to other engineers, and make architecture-level decisions that impact the future of Speechify's Windows applications.
• Participate in shaping CI/CD workflows and ensuring that the development process is as efficient and automated as possible.
• Stay updated with the latest developments in Windows desktop application development and contribute to the knowledge base of the engineering team.

What We Are Looking For

• 3+ years of experience in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and ideally additional experience with native Windows code (C++, Win32/WinRT/COM).
• Deep understanding of Windows application architecture, including interop between managed code (.NET) and native code.
• Proven track record of designing, building, and shipping production-quality desktop applications with an emphasis on reliability, performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Strong experience with accessibility APIs on Windows and a dedication to building accessible and inclusive software.
• Excellent software engineering fundamentals, including OOP, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, memory management, and multi-threading or asynchronous programming.
• Experience leading technical design, mentoring other engineers, conducting code reviews, and making architecture-level decisions.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate tradeoffs, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive consensus.
• A user-centric mindset, focusing on building polished, intuitive, and accessible experiences for end users.
• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis and reporting.

Nice to Have

• Experience with writing automated tests for UI, including unit tests, integration tests, and UI automation tests, familiarity with relevant testing frameworks.
• Experience with performance optimization for desktop apps, including memory usage, startup time, rendering performance, high-DPI support, and responsiveness under load.
• Experience with localization/globalization, right-to-left UI support, internationalization, and accessibility for multiple regions.
• Familiarity with telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, logging, and error monitoring in desktop applications.
• Previous experience in shaping CI/CD workflows.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive salary and benefits package, though specific details are not disclosed.
• The opportunity to work with a fully distributed team and contribute to a culture that values flexibility, innovation, and inclusion.
• Access to the latest technologies and tools for Windows desktop application development.
• Professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and career growth within a dynamic and rapidly expanding company.
• The satisfaction of working on products that make a significant impact on the lives of users, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in education and beyond.
• A remote work stipend to support your home office setup and productivity.
• Comprehensive health insurance and other benefits tailored to support remote workers.
• Generous PTO policy to ensure work-life balance and support your personal well-being.
• Equity options as part of the compensation package, allowing you to be part of Speechify's long-term success.

• Ensure your portfolio includes examples of Windows desktop applications you've developed, highlighting your experience with Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, and XAML.
• Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as strong communication skills are crucial for this role.
• Review the principles of accessibility and how to integrate accessibility APIs into your applications to demonstrate your commitment to inclusive software development.
• Be prepared to discuss your approach to solving complex bugs, performance issues, or compatibility problems, and how you propose robust architectural or design solutions.
• Highlight any experience you have with CI/CD workflows, automated testing, and performance optimization for desktop apps.
• Show enthusiasm for the mission of Speechify and how your skills and experience align with the company's goals of making reading more accessible.
• Prepare to back your claims with specific examples from your past experience, focusing on outcomes and the impact of your work rather than just listing responsibilities.