At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative Windows desktop applications.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking tech company focused on accessibility and user experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on mentorship and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating accessible software that enhances user experiences.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Windows app development with strong coding skills in C# and XAML.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Requirements
- 3+ years in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI (or similar), C#, XAML - ideally with additional experience in 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 (e.g. Microsoft UI Automation or similar), and a dedication to building accessible and inclusive software
- Excellent software engineering fundamentals: OOP, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, memory management, multi-threading or asynchronous programming (where relevant)
- Experience leading technical design, mentoring other engineers, conducting code reviews, and making architecture-level decisions
- Strong communication skills; ability to articulate tradeoffs, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive consensus
- A user-centric mindset: focus on building polished, intuitive, and accessible experiences for end users
- (Desirable) Experience with writing automated tests for UI - unit tests, integration tests, UI automation tests; familiarity with relevant testing frameworks
- (Desirable) Experience with performance optimization for desktop apps (memory usage, startup time, rendering performance, high-DPI support, responsiveness under load)
- (Desirable) Experience with localization/globalization, right-to-left UI support, internationalization, accessibility for multiple regions
- (Desirable) Familiarity with telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, logging, and error monitoring in desktop applications
- (Desirable) Previous experience in shaping CI/CD workflows, release pipelines, and deployment strategies for desktop applications
- (Desirable) Demonstrated ability to take ownership of feature areas or modules and drive them long-term, including maintenance, refactoring, and technical debt management
What the job involves
- Lead the design, architecture, and development of native Windows desktop applications using Windows App SDK, WinUI (or related UI frameworks), C#, XAML, and - when needed - C++
- Define and enforce best-practices for Windows desktop development across the codebase: code architecture, performance, memory usage, responsive UI, cross-version compatibility (Windows 10/11+), and maintainability
- Drive accessibility efforts: integrate and validate support for accessibility APIs (e.g. Microsoft UI Automation or other relevant Windows accessibility frameworks), ensure 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 full lifecycle of features: conception, design, implementation, testing, release, maintenance. Ensure quality, reliability, and consistency across releases
- Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex bugs, performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, rendering issues, or compatibility problems, and propose robust architectural or design solutions
Senior Software Engineer (Windows/Desktop Applications) in Cambridge employer: Speechify
As a Senior Software Engineer at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a commitment to accessibility in software development, all within a vibrant location that fosters creativity and teamwork. Join us to make a meaningful impact by building high-quality desktop applications that enhance user experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer (Windows/Desktop Applications) in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend tech meetups, conferences, or online webinars related to Windows development. It's a great way to meet industry folks and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best Windows desktop applications. Include details about the architecture, performance optimisations, and any accessibility features you've implemented.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Brush up on your software engineering fundamentals and be ready to discuss your experience with C#, XAML, and any native Windows code. Practice articulating your design decisions and trade-offs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at StudySmarter. Tailor your application to highlight your user-centric mindset and collaborative spirit.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer (Windows/Desktop Applications) in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with Windows desktop application development, especially using the Windows App SDK and WinUI. We want to see your proven track record of building reliable and scalable applications, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best projects!
Be User-Centric:Remember, we’re all about creating polished and accessible experiences for users. In your application, share examples of how you’ve prioritised user needs in your past work. This will show us that you have the right mindset for the role!
Talk About Teamwork:We love collaboration! When writing your application, mention any experience you have working with cross-functional teams. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve driven consensus in past projects – it’s a big plus for us!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Speechify
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Windows desktop application development, especially with the Windows App SDK and WinUI. Brush up on your C#, XAML, and any experience you have with native Windows code like C++ or Win32. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve designed and shipped production-quality applications.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to talk about how you've tackled complex bugs or performance issues in past projects. Think of examples where you identified bottlenecks or memory leaks and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your ability to take ownership and drive solutions.
✨Emphasise Accessibility and User-Centric Design
Since accessibility is key for this role, be prepared to discuss your experience with accessibility APIs and how you’ve integrated them into your applications. Share examples of how you’ve built intuitive and accessible user experiences, showing that you understand the importance of inclusivity in software.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are a must, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to explain technical trade-offs and collaborate with hypothetical cross-functional teams during the interview. This will show that you can drive consensus and work well with others.
