At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and development of innovative Windows desktop applications.
- Company: Join a dynamic tech company with a flat structure and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: High-impact role, flexible work environment, and opportunities for leadership.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to accessibility and innovation.
- Why this job: Shape the future of Windows products and make a real difference for millions.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in Windows app development, strong coding skills, and a user-centric mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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.
- Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex bugs, performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, rendering issues, or compatibility problems — and propose robust architectural or design solutions.
Required
- 3+ years of 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.
Benefits
- 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-centred — making a real difference for people.
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. Speechify is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.
Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Newcastle, United Kingdom in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Speechify
At Speechify, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a high-impact role where you can shape the future of our Windows product and influence millions of users. Our collaborative, flat-structure engineering culture empowers you to take ownership of your work, mentor others, and grow into leadership positions while contributing to a purpose-driven mission focused on building reliable and accessible software. Located in Newcastle, we provide flexibility, autonomy, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, making it a rewarding environment for passionate software engineers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Newcastle, United Kingdom in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Speechify or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Speechify.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Speechify.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Speechify that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, Windows/Desktop Applications - Newcastle, United Kingdom in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Speechify.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Speechify and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Speechify
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Speechify uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
