Desktop Applications Software Engineer

Junior Software Engineer, Desktop Applications

This is an early-career software role building the desktop applications operators use to control, monitor, and interact with unmanned aircraft systems. Most of your day is spent in C++ and C# inside Visual Studio, building human-machine interface tools that turn dense system data into something an operator can read and act on quickly. Good fit for someone starting out who likes user-facing software and wants real exposure to real-time systems and hardware-adjacent work in aerospace.

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Responsibilities

• Build and maintain the desktop applications used to control and monitor unmanned aircraft.

• Write application features in C++ and C# in Visual Studio, focused on interfaces that present system and sensor data clearly.

• Turn functional requirements into working features that hold up for operators working in the field.

• Debug and troubleshoot application-level problems, including UI behavior, data handling, and real-time status displays.

• Use object-oriented design to keep code maintainable and easy for teammates to pick up.

• Build and refine interfaces using Windows desktop frameworks such as WPF, WinForms, or MFC.

• Work with sr. engineers and operators to collect feedback and improve workflows, layout, and how information is presented.

• Document your code, application behavior, and design decisions so others can maintain and extend the software.

• Use Git to manage changes, branches, and collaborative development.

• Take part in unit and integration testing to validate functionality, performance, and reliability.

• Contribute to real-time and data-driven features such as dashboards, telemetry displays, network status indicators, and monitoring tools.

• Apply basic UI/UX thinking to layout, usability, and clarity, especially on operator-facing tools.

• Work through requirements that start out vague, with guidance from sr. engineers, and help sharpen them into something implementable.

• Use multithreaded or event-driven techniques where they help keep the interface responsive.

• Fold operator feedback into ongoing application updates.

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What you need

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or a related field.

• Programming experience in C++ or C#, from coursework, internships, co-ops, capstone work, or personal projects.

• Ability to implement and maintain application features in C++ or C#.

• Working understanding of object-oriented programming and how it shapes software design.

• Ability to debug and troubleshoot issues in desktop software.

• Ability to translate functional requirements into features that meet a real user need.

• At least one project where you built a functioning application, from school, an internship, or your own time.

• Experience using Visual Studio for C++ and C# development.

• Basic familiarity with Git or a comparable version control system.

• Ability to document code and behavior clearly for teammates.

• Willingness to ask questions and take feedback from experienced engineers and operators.

• Interest in user-facing software, UI, human-computer interaction, and HMI tools.

• Exposure to real-time systems, sensor data, telemetry, network status, or data-driven applications such as dashboards, monitoring tools, games, or simulations.

• Experience with application debugging, unit testing, and integration testing.

• Foundational knowledge of Windows desktop development, including WPF, WinForms, or MFC.

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Nice to have

• 0-2 years of experience through internships, co-ops, capstone projects, or personal work.

• Coursework or projects in UI/UX design or human-computer interaction.

• Experience building graphical interface applications, particularly for Windows.

• A sense for layout, usability, and presenting information clearly.

• Exposure to multithreaded or event-driven programming.

• Interest in designing interfaces that simplify complex information for operators running unmanned aircraft.

• Ability to work through unclear requirements with guidance from experienced engineers and stakeholders.

• Familiarity with UI/UX tools or techniques such as Figma or wireframing.

• Exposure to telemetry or data visualization libraries for presenting real-time and historical data.

• Ability to gather operator feedback and turn it into usability and performance improvements.

• Interest in the full application lifecycle in aerospace, from design through testing and iteration.

• Interest in joining an established organization at the start of a new initiative and growing with the product and the team.

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Work environment

Primarily onsite in south central Washington. Travel is about 5% and may include domestic and international trips to work with other teams or support field activity. The work is mostly development and office based, with daily use of a computer, Visual Studio, version control, and other engineering tools. You will work directly with field operators to gather feedback and refine the applications for real use. The role involves sitting for long stretches at a computer, reading screens, documents, and engineering drawings. You may occasionally carry or lift items up to 30 pounds and walk through office and production areas, some with uneven surfaces.

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To speak with our hiring team, click here (https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/CxcdJ-NZ)

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Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Bingen, WA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $125000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• PTO - Paid Holidays - Sick Time - Medical/Dental/Vision - 401k

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Bingen,WA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.