At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative Windows desktop applications.
- Company: Join Speechify, a mission-driven tech company transforming reading accessibility.
- Benefits: Flexible remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on mentorship and technical leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on millions by shaping user-friendly software.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Windows app development with strong coding skills.
Mission
The mission of Speechify is to make sure that reading is never a barrier to learning. Over 50 million people use Speechify’s text-to-speech products to turn whatever they’re reading – PDFs, books, Google Docs, news articles, websites – into audio, so they can read faster, read more, and remember more. Speechify’s text-to-speech reading products include its iOS app, Android App, Mac App, Chrome Extension, and Web App. Google recently named Speechify the Chrome Extension of the Year and Apple named Speechify its 2025 Design Award winner for Inclusivity. Today, nearly 200 people around the globe work on Speechify in a 100% distributed setting – Speechify has no office.
What You’ll Do
- 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.
An ideal candidate should have
- Required: 3+ years in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI (or similar), 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 (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.
Preferred / Bonus:
- Experience with writing automated tests for UI — unit tests, integration tests, UI automation tests; familiarity with relevant testing frameworks.
- Experience with performance optimization for desktop apps (memory usage, startup time, rendering performance, high-DPI support, responsiveness under load).
- Experience with localization/globalization, right-to-left UI support, internationalization, accessibility for multiple regions.
- Familiarity with telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, logging, and error monitoring in desktop applications.
- Previous experience in shaping CI/CD workflows, release pipelines, and deployment strategies for desktop applications.
- Demonstrated ability to take ownership of feature areas or modules and drive them long-term, including maintenance, refactoring, and technical debt management.
What we offer
- A high-impact role: you will define architecture, shape the future of our Windows product, and directly influence what millions of users see and experience.
- A collaborative, flat-structure engineering culture — you are not just a coder, but a builder and a decision-maker.
- Opportunities to lead — mentor others, steer technical direction, and grow into broader technical leadership (e.g. Tech Lead, Architect).
- Flexibility, autonomy, and responsibility: you define how to solve problems, own features end-to-end, and contribute to long-term product vision.
- A purpose-driven mission: building software that’s reliable, accessible, and user-centered — making a real difference for people.
Think you’re a good fit for this job? Tell us more about yourself and why you're interested in the role when you apply. And don’t forget to include links to your portfolio and LinkedIn. Not looking but know someone who would make a great fit? Refer them! Speechify is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Speechify does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
Remote Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Bristol, United Kingdom in Kent employer: Speechify
At Speechify, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity in a fully remote environment. Our collaborative culture empowers you to take ownership of your work, lead projects, and mentor fellow engineers while contributing to a mission that transforms the way millions engage with reading. With a focus on professional growth and a commitment to accessibility, you'll find meaningful opportunities to shape the future of our Windows products from anywhere in the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Remote Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Bristol, United Kingdom in Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or other platforms. A friendly chat can open doors you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects related to Windows desktop applications. This is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and coding challenges. We all know that confidence is key, so get comfortable with your tech knowledge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love hearing from passionate candidates like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Remote Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Bristol, United Kingdom in Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience with Windows desktop applications and the tech stack mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Be Personal and Passionate:Don’t just list your qualifications; tell us why you’re excited about this role at Speechify! Share your passion for accessibility and user-centric design, and how you can contribute to our mission of making reading accessible for everyone.
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read through your experience and achievements. We appreciate clarity!
Include Links to Your Work:Don’t forget to include links to your portfolio and LinkedIn profile! This gives us a chance to see your work in action and understand your style better. We’re excited to see what you’ve created!
How to prepare for a job interview at Speechify
✨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure you’re well-versed in Windows App SDK, WinUI, C#, and XAML. Brush up on your knowledge of native Windows code as well, especially if you have experience with C++ or COM. Being able to discuss your past projects and how you’ve used these technologies will show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Accessibility Knowledge
Since accessibility is a key focus for Speechify, be prepared to discuss your experience with accessibility APIs like Microsoft UI Automation. Share examples of how you've integrated accessibility features into your previous projects, and demonstrate your commitment to building inclusive software.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions that assess your understanding of software engineering fundamentals, such as OOP, design patterns, and memory management. Practise explaining your thought process when solving complex problems, as this will help you articulate trade-offs and decisions during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with product designers, UX researchers, and other stakeholders, be ready to discuss your experience collaborating in cross-functional teams. Highlight any leadership roles you’ve taken on, such as mentoring other engineers or conducting code reviews, to show you can drive consensus and lead technical direction.
