Windows Application Developer - Partner Engineer

Role Description

We’re looking for a Windows Application Developer - Partner Engineer to join our Windows Ecosystem Enablement team. This role is focused on helping strategic ISV partners bring their desktop applications into the Windows ecosystem and the Microsoft Store. You will work directly with senior engineers, solve complex packaging and platform issues, build reference implementations, and navigate Microsoft’s internal teams to unblock partner success. This is not a traditional Windows developer role. We are looking for someone with deep understanding of the Windows ecosystem—someone who understands how software is packaged, distributed, installed, and integrated at the OS level.

Core Responsibilities

• Partner Technical Support & Onboarding
  • Support ISV partners with packaging, publishing, and onboarding applications into the Microsoft Store
  • Resolve technical blockers related to installers, Store dependencies, Windows Update, drivers, policies, and OS-level integrations
  • Help partners adopt the right architecture across Win32, .NET, UWP, WebView2, PWA, MSIX, and unpackaged app models
• Prototyping & Technical Problem Solving
  • Build small tools, sample apps, sandbox environments, and reference implementations to reproduce and solve partner issues
  • Create proof-of-concepts without touching client codebases
  • Deliver targeted fixes across packaging workflows, SDK usage, and publishing processes
• Internal Microsoft Collaboration
  • Work across Microsoft teams including Windows Store, WinGet, Copilot, and platform engineering groups
  • Identify the right internal stakeholders, escalate technical blockers, and drive solutions across siloed teams
  • Support high-priority partner escalations in fast-moving, cross-functional environments
• Documentation & Best Practices
  • Create technical guides, internal playbooks, and reusable reference implementations based on partner learnings
  • Document packaging best practices and onboarding standards for Microsoft teams and ISV partners
  • Help establish scalable technical guidance for future partner onboarding
• Partner Outreach
  • Support outreach efforts to software vendors not yet publishing in the Microsoft Store
  • Help qualify leads, follow up with ISVs, and support partner adoption initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong Windows Ecosystem Background
• 5+ years of experience working with Windows applications and desktop software distribution
• Strong understanding of installers, drivers, OS-level APIs, software packaging, and Windows platform integrations
• Experience across Win32, .NET, UWP, WebView2, PWAs, or similar desktop architectures
• Commercial Software Distribution Experience
• Background working at companies that ship and distribute commercial software products
• Exposure to packaging, deployment, signing, Store submission, and operating system integration
• Experience only building internal business systems is not enough for this role
• Prototyping & Troubleshooting Mindset
• Ability to independently reproduce issues, create sandbox environments, and build reference implementations
• Strong problem-solving skills across low-level platform issues and technical ambiguity
• Strong Communication & Ownership
• Comfortable working directly with clients and senior engineers
• Able to explain technical tradeoffs clearly and drive solutions proactively
• Strong ownership mindset with a bias toward action

Nice to Have

• Experience with MSIX, unpackaged apps, Xbox-to-Windows migration, PWA packaging, and Windows Store publishing
• Familiarity with installer technologies such as WiX
• Experience with GitHub Actions, SDK fixes, and CI publishing workflows
• Data pipeline literacy (Spark, Fabric, large-scale systems)
• Experience using AI tools like Copilot for prototyping and workflow acceleration
• Previous Microsoft experience is a strong plus

(*) SOUTHWORKS only hires individuals from countries that are not blocked or sanctioned by the United States, including those identified on the United States Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC).