Senior Native Desktop Systems Engineer
Mission.dev · United States
- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- United States
Job highlights
- Build native desktop apps for macOS and Windows.
- Optimize system performance and resource efficiency.
- Integrate real-time AI tools into desktop environments.
- Manage OS-level behaviors and background services.
- Directly impact product reliability and user workflow.
About the role
About Mission.dev
Mission.dev is the next-gen staffing platform for software talent. We help you find, evaluate, and manage top software talent (contractors or direct hires) faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Powered by AI. Backed by real humans.
About the Client
This company develops an AI-powered sales intelligence platform that provides real-time guidance to representatives during live conversations. By analyzing audio streams without visible recording bots, the system suggests discovery questions and surfaces insights to improve conversion rates and shorten sales cycles. The technology automates post-call workflows and accelerates onboarding for revenue teams by providing instant product expertise and process coaching directly within the user's desktop environment.
About the Role
As a Desktop Systems Engineer, you will own the architectural layer connecting application logic with the operating system across macOS and Windows. This is a specialized systems role focused on native OS behavior, process architecture, and background services rather than standard frontend development. You will be responsible for moving performance-critical functionality from hybrid environments into native experiences. Your work will directly impact product reliability, system resource efficiency, and the seamless integration of real-time AI tools within the user’s daily workflow.
What You'll Do
- Develop and maintain high-performance desktop applications with deep integration across macOS and Windows.
- Manage OS-level behaviors including windowing, permissions, background processes, and system event handling.
- Architect native modules and system integrations to overcome performance limitations in hybrid application frameworks.
- Optimize application performance for minimal CPU, memory, and battery impact to ensure a lightweight footprint.
- Implement logic for user activity detection and desktop context awareness to trigger real-time features.
- Support the deployment of on-device local AI models to ensure low-latency processing and data privacy.
- Build robust systems for background agents, automated updates, and crash recovery to maintain high application availability.
What You Bring
- Proven experience building and shipping production-grade desktop software for macOS or Windows.
- Expertise in native development using languages such as Swift, Objective-C, C++, Rust, or C#.
- Deep understanding of desktop application architecture, including IPC, memory management, and process lifecycles.
- Experience managing complex OS permissions, installers, and background services.
- Strong engineering judgment with a focus on performance optimization and system stability.
- Senior engineer with at least 7+ years of software engineering experience.
Nice to Haves
- Experience with Electron, specifically regarding native modules and performance tuning.
- Background in building developer tools, productivity apps, or performance-sensitive endpoint agents.
- Familiarity with React or modern frontend architectures.
- Experience working with local AI inference or real-time audio/video processing.
- Strong product sensibility and an interest in native UI polish.
Compensation & Benefits
Equity package included.
Key skills/competency
- Senior Desktop Systems Engineer
- macOS
- Windows
- Native Development
- C++
- Rust
- C#
- System Architecture
- Performance Optimization
- Background Services
Skills & topics
- Senior Desktop Systems Engineer
- macOS
- Windows
- Native Development
- C++
- Rust
- C#
- System Architecture
- Performance Optimization
- Background Services
- AI Integration
- Remote
- Full-time
- Software Engineering
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight native macOS/Windows development, C++, Rust, C#, and system architecture experience.
- Showcase experience: Emphasize production-grade desktop software and performance optimization for Mission.dev.
- Address requirements: Detail your 7+ years of experience and expertise in OS-level behaviors.
- Prepare for technical questions: Be ready to discuss IPC, memory management, and background services.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is Mission.dev's role in this Senior Desktop Systems Engineer position?
- Mission.dev is the staffing platform facilitating this hiring process. They help connect qualified candidates with companies seeking top software talent. This is a direct hire role with the client company, not with Mission.dev itself.
- What are the primary responsibilities of a Senior Desktop Systems Engineer at the client company?
- The Senior Desktop Systems Engineer will own the native OS integration layer for macOS and Windows, focusing on performance-critical functionality, background services, and seamless AI tool integration within the desktop environment.
- What technical skills are most crucial for this Senior Desktop Systems Engineer role?
- Key technical skills include native development in Swift, Objective-C, C++, Rust, or C#, deep understanding of desktop application architecture, OS-level behaviors, performance optimization, and experience with background services and system stability.
- Does Mission.dev assist with the application or interview process for this role?
- Mission.dev facilitates the connection between candidates and the client. While they manage the platform, the hiring and interview process is directly with the client company developing the AI sales intelligence platform.
- What makes this Senior Desktop Systems Engineer role unique compared to other engineering positions?
- This role focuses on the deep, native integration of AI into desktop operating systems, moving performance-critical functions from hybrid environments to native experiences, directly impacting system efficiency and real-time AI capabilities.
- What are the preferred geographic locations for candidates applying for the Senior Desktop Systems Engineer role?
- Preferred locations for this remote, full-time role include the United States, Canada, Europe, and Latin America, indicating a global search for top talent.
- What is the expected work arrangement for this Senior Desktop Systems Engineer position?
- This is a fully remote, full-time employment role requiring 40 hours per week, allowing for flexibility in location within the preferred regions.
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