We are modernizing the user interface of our client’s flagship enterprise desktop product.

Originally built in C++/MFC/Win32, this application is used daily by thousands of professionals worldwide.

The initiative has strong executive sponsorship and requires balancing short-term deliverables (a modernized prototype by year-end) with a longer-term modernization roadmap.

The Architect will be accountable for setting the technical direction of the UI modernization, guiding framework selection, and ensuring scalability and reusability of design patterns.

You will act as the bridge between client leadership, UX designers, and engineering teams to deliver a modernization strategy that is achievable within aggressive timelines yet sustainable beyond the first release.

Solution Architect – Windows Desktop Modernization

Your responsibilities

• Assess the legacy C++/MFC/Win32 codebase and identify viable modernization paths (WinUI 3, Avalonia, or hybrid approaches).
• Define the overall modernization strategy, including prototype scope, migration patterns, and reusable UI component architecture.
• Establish principles for dialog abstraction and reusability to reduce long-term maintenance overhead.
• Evaluate risks, third-party dependencies, and constraints of legacy controls; propose mitigations.
• Lead technical scoping for the discovery and prototype phase.
• Oversee architecture decisions for integrating modern UI frameworks with legacy components.
• Partner with UI/UX designers to translate design assets (icons, palettes, layouts) into scalable implementation patterns.
• Define technical acceptance criteria for prototype and milestone deliverables.
• Ensure stability, performance, and maintainability while introducing architectural improvements.
• Act as primary technical counterpart to client architects and senior engineers.
• Provide hands-on guidance to C++/MFC developers and modern UI engineers.
• Advise client leadership on trade-offs between short-term cosmetic refresh and deeper architectural changes.
• Contribute to proposal refinement, roadmap shaping, and definition of Phase 2 delivery models.

Our requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience in C++ development with a Windows desktop focus.
• Proven experience as an Architect or Lead Engineer on large-scale Windows modernization projects.
• Deep expertise in MFC, Win32 API, and related frameworks (ATL/WTL).
• Strong track record of evaluating and implementing modernization strategies for legacy desktop applications.
• Familiarity with WinUI 3, Avalonia, Electron, QT and hybrid desktop/web frameworks.
• Expertise in designing dialog abstraction frameworks and reusable UI modules.
• Ability to create technical roadmaps and align architecture decisions with business drivers.
• Strong knowledge of source control and branching strategies (Git, TFS).
• Excellent communication skills: able to engage both executive stakeholders and hands-on developers.