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Desktop Application Developer Jobs in Boston, MA

Actifio

Principal UI Developer

Waltham, MA · On-site

$54 - $70/hr

Actifio replaces siloed data management applications with a radically simple, application-centric ... This will be done on desktop, web and mobile platforms. Within this role you will collaborate with ...

Actifio

Principal UI Developer

Waltham, MA

$54 - $70/hr

Actifio replaces siloed data management applications with a radically simple, application-centric ... This will be done on desktop, web and mobile platforms. Within this role you will collaborate with ...

Lam Research Corporation

DevOps Engineer 3

Waltham, MA · On-site

$57 - $78/hr

Support internal and external desktop and Cloud product releases * Work with our central IT ... Work with central InfoSec organization to remediate software application and OS vulnerabilities ...

General Atomics

Engineer III

Acton, MA · On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

... their application to space systems, direct experience in the thermal design and analysis of ... Perform thermal analysis, modeling, and simulation (e.g., using SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop ...

General Atomics

Engineer IV

Acton, MA · On-site

... their application to space systems, direct experience in the thermal design and analysis of ... Proficiency with thermal analysis tools such as SINDA/FLUINT and Thermal Desktop is highly ...

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All JobsDesktop Application Developer JobsDesktop Application Developer Jobs in Boston, MA

Desktop Application Developer information

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How much do desktop application developer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for desktop application developer in Boston, MA is $57.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45.82 and $65.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a desktop application developer?

A Desktop Application Developer is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining software applications that run on desktop operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. They work with programming languages such as C#, Java, Python, or C++ and utilize frameworks like .NET, Qt, or Electron. Their duties include debugging, optimizing performance, and ensuring a seamless user experience. Developers may also collaborate with UX/UI designers, testers, and other developers to create functional and efficient applications.

What does a desktop application developer do?

A Desktop Application Developer usually spends their day designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications for desktop environments. Common tasks include collaborating with product managers to clarify requirements, debugging and resolving issues, and writing clear documentation for end users or other developers. Developers may also participate in team meetings, code reviews, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. The role often requires balancing independent work with close teamwork to ensure features are delivered on time and meet quality standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a desktop application developer?

To thrive as a Desktop Application Developer, you need strong programming skills in languages such as C#, Java, or C++, combined with experience in software design and debugging. Familiarity with development environments like Visual Studio, version control systems such as Git, and sometimes certifications in relevant technologies can be beneficial. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and good communication skills help you understand requirements and collaborate effectively with other teams. These skills ensure the delivery of reliable, user-friendly desktop applications that meet business and user needs.

What are the most commonly searched types of Desktop Application Developer jobs in Boston, MA?

The most popular types of Desktop Application Developer jobs in Boston, MA are:

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For Desktop Application Developer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Desktop Application Developer jobs in Boston, MA are:

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    Desktop Application Developer jobs near you

    Staff Engineer, Software, GCS - C++ (R5189)

    Shield AI

    Boston, MA • On-site

    Full-time

    Re-posted 6 days ago

    Job description

    Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

    Job Description:

    The Ground Control Station (GCS) and Command & Control (C2) Software team builds the mission planning, command & control, and post-mission debrief systems that enable operators to seamlessly manage complex, multi-domain unmanned missions. We combine deep desktop application development, modern map-centric interfaces, robust backend integrations, and platform-specific control protocols to deliver a world-class operator experience across air, maritime, space, and effects/expendables. In this role, you will focus on building Ground Control Station software, advanced mission planners, post-mission debrief utilities, and general C2 interfaces. You will work across C++, Qt/QML, QGroundControl (QGC), and full-stack technologies to translate autonomous platform capabilities into intuitive, low-latency, and highly reliable control systems.

    In this role, you will design and develop major GCS features, mentor mid-level engineers, and represent the GCS/C2 team directly to autonomy capability teams, flight operations, and external partners. It's a hands-on role for engineers who enjoy designing user-facing controls and mission-critical systems and want to see their code drive complex real-world operations.

    What you'll do:
    • Develop & Field GCS/C2 Software - Design, develop, and optimize high-performance, responsive GCS software and C2 applications, focusing on map-centric mission planning, real-time command & control, video streaming, and telemetry visualization. Customize and extend QGroundControl (QGC) or related Qt/C++ frameworks to support custom vehicle protocols and multi-agent operations.
    • Technical Leadership - Own technical direction for major GCS features and systems; architect UI/UX layouts, design robust client/server interfaces, and lead technical decision-making within your project area.
    • Collaboration Across Teams - Act as a primary technical interface with the Autonomy Capabilities team, Perception team, flight operations, and external partners (platform integrators, C2 providers, and vehicle vendors); author and negotiate APIs, ICDs, and interface contracts rather than just consume them.
    • Mentorship & Growth - Mentor mid-level engineers on the team; partner with managers on onboarding, leveling, and growth planning. Formally onboard senior new hires.
    • Design, UX, & Documentation - Drive design reviews, UI/UX prototyping, and ICD definition; champion rigorous coding standards, unit/integration testing, and developer/operator documentation to close process gaps that span teams.
    • Pre-deployment Preparation - Own the build, configuration, and validation process for mission-ready ground stations; coordinate hardware/software compatibility, UI/UX readiness, and release cadence with capability and feature teams.
    • On-site Test & Mission Support - Travel to test sites and support live mission operations (flight tests, range exercises, on-water trials, integration events), working closely with operators and pilots to gather feedback, debug live C2 systems, and troubleshoot interfaces under time-critical field constraints.
    • Hardware/Software Debugging - Diagnose and resolve integration issues across complex GCS/C2 stacks, radio links, payload controls, and telemetry streams - including UI responsiveness bottlenecks, memory leaks, and network latency profiling under operationally-representative loads.
    • Mission Data & Debrief Support - Architect and implement post-mission debrief utilities and telemetry analysis tools that parse, play back, and visualize telemetry, logs, and payload data for rapid post-mission analysis and issue reproduction.
    • Continuous Improvement - Build tools and automation scripts to improve C2 deployment pipelines, test/mission reliability, and simulation-based operator testing.
    • C2 Interoperability & Standards - Own compliance and integration with command-and-control standards and architectures (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS, STANAG 4586, MAVLink).
    • Hiring - Interview candidates, help define the skills bar for open roles in your area, and onboard new engineers into your sub-program.
    • Travel Requirement - Members of this team typically travel around 10-20% of the year (to support field integration, customer demonstrations, or test events).
    Required qualifications:
    • BS/MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
    • Typically requires a minimum of 7 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 6 years and a Master's degree; or 4 years with a PhD; or equivalent work experience.
    • Strong proficiency in C++, with experience developing complex, multi-threaded, or latency-sensitive desktop applications.
    • Experience building responsive user interfaces using Qt/QML (or similar modern UI frameworks).
    • Hands-on experience customizing, extending, or building with QGroundControl (QGC) or similar open-source/proprietary ground station software.
    • Experience full-stack or building backend in C/C++, Python, TypeScript, or Go, including service orchestration, command/status interfaces, and data pipelines between UI, ground services, and vehicle-side components.
    • Deep familiarity with networked and distributed systems, including UDP/TCP transport, custom binary protocols, reliable messaging, pub-sub/IPC middleware, and serialization/IDL tooling.
    • Experience using AI-assisted development tools to accelerate software design, implementation, debugging, testing, and code review while maintaining strong engineering judgment, validation discipline, and ownership of final technical decisions.
    • Demonstrated experience owning a major software capability or system from architecture through field delivery.
    • Track record of mentoring engineers and growing technical talent.
    • Experience authoring or negotiating interface contracts, schemas, or ICDs with internal or external stakeholders.
    • Strong debugging and profiling skills, including diagnosing memory leaks, UI responsiveness bottlenecks, and network latency issues.
    • Ability to obtain a SECRET clearance.
    Preferred qualifications:
    • Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), map rendering engines (e.g., Mapbox, Cesium, Esri, QGC Map Engine), and 2D/3D spatial data visualization.
    • Familiarity with video streaming protocols and multimedia frameworks (e.g., RTSP, WebRTC, GStreamer, H.264/H.265 video codecs).
    • Experience developing post-mission telemetry analysis, log parsing, or interactive playback/debrief systems.
    • Familiarity with containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and deploying C2 services to local, edge, or cloud environments.
    • Experience with platform control / autopilot protocols (e.g., MAVLink, STANAG 4586) or DoD C2 standards (e.g., A-GRA, UCI, OMS).
    • Experience working closely with flight operators, pilots, or military stakeholders to gather feedback and refine user workflows.
    • Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.
    $150,000 - $230,000 a year
    #LI-ED1
    #LD

    Full-time regular employee offer package:
    Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
     
    Temporary employee offer package:
    Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)
     
    Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.
     
    ###
     
    Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. 
    We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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