Staff/Senior Desktop Application Engineer

Nexthink seeks a Senior Desktop Application Engineer in Lausanne to architect and build a high-performance AI-powered native client for Windows and macOS.

This position focuses on the foundational design and implementation of Nexthink’s AI platform client. The engineer will lead architectural decisions for a native desktop application that serves as the primary interface for millions of users, ensuring seamless integration and high performance across Windows and macOS environments.

Responsibilities

• Establish the technical vision and architectural strategy for the desktop client.
• Design and build a high-performance native application capable of supporting over 20 million endpoints on Windows and macOS.
• Collaborate with product, backend, and AI/ML teams to ensure the client experience aligns with the broader AI platform goals.
• Provide technical leadership on coding standards, best practices, and client architecture for native desktop development.
• Architect a secure and reliable application that handles the entire distribution lifecycle, including signing, packaging, installation, updates, and uninstallation.
• Implement robust observability, crash reporting, and performance monitoring solutions across the client stack.
• Mentor team members to raise the overall technical bar and support their professional growth.
• Lead technical deep dives, design reviews, and roadmap discussions with leadership.
• Ensure security, compliance, and OS-level integration best practices are embedded in the design from the start.

Requirements

• Seven or more years of experience in desktop application engineering, with a track record of shipping native apps on Windows and macOS.
• Proven success in designing and delivering client applications to large user bases, with a deep understanding of platform-specific constraints.
• Strong proficiency in Rust and/or C++, with solid experience building cross-platform desktop applications.
• Deep knowledge of Windows and macOS operating system APIs.
• Hands-on experience with the full application distribution lifecycle, including code signing, packaging, auto-update mechanisms, and large-scale deployment.
• Strong understanding of desktop application performance profiling, memory management, and crash diagnostics.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and leadership through clear technical direction.
• A track record of mentoring and elevating engineering teams.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with the Tauri framework.
• Experience with React and TypeScript for UI development.
• Experience integrating desktop clients with cloud backends via REST, WebSockets, or gRPC.
• Background in system-level programming, including OS hooks, accessibility APIs, and inter-process communication.
• Prior work on applications with silent background processes, system tray agents, or notification-driven UX.
• Experience with endpoint telemetry, observability SDKs, or APM integration on the client side.
• Experience with enterprise software distribution and managing application update strategies at scale.

What the company offers

• Permanent contract with a competitive compensation package.
• Office with a view of Lake Geneva, located next to the Prilly-Malley train station.
• Hybrid work model with a structured onboarding approach for new hires.
• Flexible hours and unlimited paid time off, plus 25 days of holidays and 3 company-paid volunteer days.
• Free access to an in-building fitness centre.
• Reimbursement for the half-fare travel card for public transport.
• Reimbursement up to 50% of the cost of French classes.
• Fresh fruit, cookies, and soft drinks available in the office.
• Regular company and team events, including Voluntary Days, Pizza talks, Team Building activities, and Meetups.
• Referral bonuses for successful hires after three months of employment.
• Relocation package for candidates coming from another country.

About the company

Nexthink is the leader in digital employee experience management software, helping IT teams move from reactive problem solving to proactive optimization. The company operates as one team, focusing on collaboration and innovation to drive continuous growth. With a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, Nexthink employs people from over 75 nationalities.

• Focus on connecting, collaborating, and innovating as one team.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity with a global workforce.
• Regular team events and social activities to foster community.