> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2310903-desktop-applications-software-engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2310903-desktop-applications-software-engineer). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Desktop Applications Software Engineer - **Company:** Actalent - **Location:** Bingen, WA, United States - **Experience:** Starter - **Salary:** $70,000.0 - $125,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Microsoft Windows, Application Lifecycle Management, Software Applications, Unit Testing, C Sharp (Programming Language), C++ (Programming Language), Computer Programming, Computer Engineering, Data Visualization, Database Applications, Software Debugging, Event-Driven Programming, Graphical User Interface, Design of User Interfaces, Monitoring of Systems, Human-Computer Interaction, Microsoft Visual Studio, Windows Presentation Foundation, Object-Oriented Software Development, Software Tools, Software Engineering, Website Wireframe, Windows Desktop, Windows Forms, Data Processing, Multithreading, Real Time Systems, Git, Integration Tests, Information Technology, Data Analytics, Figma, Software Version Control - **Published:** August 30, 2026 - **Apply:** https://dejobs.org/x/x/E53479D128F24FD9A3D71B2F791BFD70/job/ ## About the Role * 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., * 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. ## Description 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., * 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., 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. ## Related Videos - [How a Small Team Shrank a Microsoft Monorepo by 94%](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1236-how-a-small-team-shrank-a-microsoft-monorepo-by-94) - [Boost Productivity with AI: Figma & Playwright MCP Workflows - Aris Markogiannakis](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1768-boost-productivity-with-ai-figma-playwright-mcp-workflows-aris-markogiannakis) - [Are you still programming unit tests or already generating?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/722-are-you-still-programming-unit-tests-or-already-generating) - [Agile work at CARIAD – Creating a customer web application for controlling the vehicle ](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/200-agile-work-at-cariad-creating-a-customer-web-application-for-controlling-the-vehicle) - [Git for Code Reviews](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/429-git-for-code-reviews) - [UX is a fullstack job!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1020-ux-is-a-fullstack-job) ## Related Articles - [The Most Popular IT Jobs on the Market](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/376-the-most-popular-it-jobs-on-the-market) - [Is Software Engineering Hard?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/448-is-software-engineering-hard) - [Where to Find Entry-Level Software Engineering Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/397-where-to-find-entry-level-software-engineering-jobs) - [What Jobs Can You Get with a Software Engineering Degree?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/398-what-jobs-can-you-get-with-a-software-engineering-degree) - [The Ultimate Software Engineer Career Path Guide for 2023](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/146-the-ultimate-software-engineer-career-path-guide-for-2023) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers)