Senior Software Engineer, Windows​/Desktop - Bend

Overview

Speechify seeks a Senior Software Engineer for Windows/Desktop Applications in Bend, OR. Mission: to ensure that reading is never a barrier to learning. Speechify’s products include Windows desktop apps, a Mac app, iOS and Android apps, a Chrome extension, and a web app used by millions.

As of now, Speechify operates in a distributed model with a global team across frontend/backend engineering, AI research, and other roles.

• 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, including architecture, performance, memory usage, responsive UI, cross-version compatibility (Windows 10/11+), and maintainability.
• Lead accessibility efforts: integrate and validate support for accessibility APIs (e.g., Microsoft UI Automation or related Windows accessibility frameworks), ensure UI controls, focus management, keyboard navigation, screen-reader support, and usability for users with disabilities.
• Collaborate with product designers, UX researchers, QA, and other stakeholders to shape feature planning, UI/UX architecture, and the long-term roadmap for the Windows platform.
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve complex bugs, performance bottlenecks, memory leaks, rendering issues, or compatibility problems; propose robust architectural or design solutions.

• Required: 3+ years in Windows desktop application development using Windows App SDK, WinUI (or similar), C#, XAML; ideally additional experience with native Windows code (C++, Win
  32/WinRT/COM).
• Deep understanding of Windows application architecture, including interop between managed (.NET) and native code.
• Proven track record of designing, building, and shipping production-quality desktop applications with 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: OOP, design patterns, data structures, algorithms, memory management, multi-threading or asynchronous programming where relevant.
• Experience leading technical design, mentoring engineers, conducting code reviews, and making architecture-level decisions.
• Strong communication skills; ability to articulate tradeoffs, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive consensus.
• User-centric mindset: focus on polished, intuitive, and accessible experiences for end users.

• Experience writing automated tests for UI — unit tests, integration tests, UI automation tests; familiarity with relevant testing frameworks.
• Performance optimization for desktop apps (memory usage, startup time, rendering performance, high-DPI support, responsiveness under load).
• Localization/globalization, right-to-left UI support, internationalization, and accessibility for multiple regions.
• Telemetry, analytics, crash reporting, logging, and error monitoring in desktop applications.
• Experience 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.

• A high-impact role: define architecture, shape the future of the Windows product, and influence what millions of users see and experience.
• A collaborative, flat-structure engineering culture — you are 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.

The United States Based salary range for this role is 140,000–200,000 USD/year plus bonus and stock, depending on experience.

Think you’re a good fit for this…