Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Montreal, Canada

SpeechifySpeechify·Remote(Canada)
Software Development
Excel

WFA Digital Insight

As the demand for skilled software engineers in remote settings continues to rise, with a notable 25% increase in job postings for Windows desktop application developers in the last year, Speechify's mission to make reading accessible stands out. The company's commitment to inclusivity, as seen in its design awards, underscores the importance of skills like Excel and experience with Windows application architecture. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the high demand for professionals who can balance technical expertise with a user-centric approach, particularly in the context of accessibility.

Job Description

About the Role

The Senior Software Engineer for Windows/Desktop Applications plays a pivotal role in driving the design, architecture, and development of Speechify's native Windows desktop applications. Utilizing Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML, and when necessary, C++, this position is at the forefront of ensuring that Speechify's text-to-speech reading products are not only highly functional but also accessible to a wide range of users. The role involves leading the charge in defining and enforcing best practices for Windows desktop development, ensuring that the codebase is optimized for performance, memory usage, cross-version compatibility, and maintainability.

As part of a 100% distributed team, the successful candidate will collaborate closely with product designers, UX researchers, QA engineers, and other stakeholders to shape the feature planning, UI/UX architecture, and long-term roadmap for the Windows platform. This involves taking ownership of the full lifecycle of features, from conception to maintenance, and ensuring that quality, reliability, and consistency are upheld across all releases.

Speechify's commitment to making reading accessible to everyone means that this role is not just about coding; it's about creating products that can positively impact millions of users worldwide. With the company's reputation for innovation and inclusivity, this position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a team that is pushing the boundaries of what technology can do for society.

What You Will Do

  • Lead the design, architecture, and development of native Windows desktop applications using Windows App SDK, WinUI, and related technologies.
  • Define and enforce best practices for Windows desktop development across the codebase, focusing on code architecture, performance, and maintainability.
  • Drive accessibility efforts by integrating and validating support for accessibility APIs, ensuring UI controls, focus management, and screen-reader support are optimized for users with disabilities.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape feature planning, UI/UX architecture, and the long-term roadmap for the Windows platform.
  • Take ownership of the full lifecycle of features, from conception to release and maintenance, ensuring high quality and consistency.
  • Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex bugs, performance bottlenecks, and compatibility issues.
  • Propose robust architectural and design solutions to technical challenges.
  • Conduct code reviews and provide mentorship to other engineers.
  • Participate in making architecture-level decisions and driving technical discussions.
  • Communicate technical plans, progress, and results effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What We Are Looking For

  • 3+ years of experience in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, XAML.
  • Deep understanding of Windows application architecture, including interop between managed and native code.
  • Proven track record of designing, building, and shipping production-quality desktop applications, focusing on reliability, performance, and maintainability.
  • Experience with accessibility APIs on Windows and a dedication to building accessible software.
  • Excellent software engineering fundamentals, including OOP, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, and memory management.
  • Strong experience leading technical design, conducting code reviews, and making architecture-level decisions.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to articulate technical trade-offs and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
  • A user-centric mindset with a focus on building polished, intuitive, and accessible user experiences.

Nice to Have

  • Experience with automated testing for UI, including unit tests, integration tests, and UI automation tests.
  • Familiarity with performance optimization for desktop applications, including memory usage, startup time, rendering performance, and high-DPI support.
  • Experience with localization, internationalization, and accessibility support for multiple regions.
  • Knowledge of telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, logging, and error monitoring in desktop applications.
  • Previous experience in shaping CI/CD workflows.

Benefits and Perks

  • Opportunity to work on a product that positively impacts millions of users worldwide.
  • Collaborative and dynamic work environment as part of a 100% distributed team.
  • Professional development opportunities, including mentorship and training.
  • Flexible working hours and remote work arrangements.
  • Access to the latest technologies and tools.
  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance and contributions.

How to Stand Out

  • Ensure your resume highlights specific experience with Windows desktop application development, especially with Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, and XAML.
  • Prepare to discuss your approach to accessibility in software development, including examples of how you've integrated accessibility APIs in previous projects.
  • Practice explaining technical concepts and design decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences, as effective communication is key in this role.
  • Be ready to walk through your experience with code reviews, mentorship, and leading technical discussions, highlighting your ability to collaborate and drive consensus.
  • Consider preparing examples of your work, such as open-source projects or contributions, to demonstrate your skills and experience with Windows desktop application development.
  • Research Speechify's products and mission to understand how your skills and experience can contribute to the company's goals and vision.

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