(Contract) Windows Application Developer - Partner Engineer

Type: Contract, per-project. Location: Remote - within LATAM time zones (GMT-3 to GMT-5) - Remote with meetings across U.S. time zones Availability: Contractor (40 hours per week) Windows Application Developer - Partner Engineer 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 & OnboardingSupport ISV partners with packaging, publishing, and onboarding applications into the Microsoft StoreResolve technical blockers related to installers, Store dependencies, Windows Update, drivers, policies, and OS-level integrationsHelp partners adopt the right architecture across Win32, .NET, UWP, WebView2, PWA, MSIX, and unpackaged app modelsPrototyping & Technical Problem SolvingBuild small tools, sample apps, sandbox environments, and reference implementations to reproduce and solve partner issuesCreate proof-of-concepts without touching client codebasesDeliver targeted fixes across packaging workflows, SDK usage, and publishing processesInternal Microsoft CollaborationWork across Microsoft teams including Windows Store, WinGet, Copilot, and platform engineering groupsIdentify the right internal stakeholders, escalate technical blockers, and drive solutions across siloed teamsSupport high-priority partner escalations in fast-moving, cross-functional environmentsDocumentation & Best PracticesCreate technical guides, internal playbooks, and reusable reference implementations based on partner learningsDocument packaging best practices and onboarding standards for Microsoft teams and ISV partnersHelp establish scalable technical guidance for future partner onboardingPartner OutreachSupport outreach efforts to software vendors not yet publishing in the Microsoft StoreHelp qualify leads, follow up with ISVs, and support partner adoption initiativesRequired Experience Strong Windows Ecosystem Background5+ years of experience working with Windows applications and desktop software distributionStrong understanding of installers, drivers, OS-level APIs, software packaging, and Windows platform integrationsExperience across Win32, .NET, UWP, WebView2, PWAs, or similar desktop architecturesCommercial Software Distribution ExperienceBackground working at companies that ship and distribute commercial software productsExposure to packaging, deployment, signing, Store submission, and operating system integrationExperience only building internal business systems is not enough for this rolePrototyping & Troubleshooting MindsetAbility to independently reproduce issues, create sandbox environments, and build reference implementationsStrong problem-solving skills across low-level platform issues and technical ambiguityStrong Communication & OwnershipComfortable working directly with clients and senior engineersAble to explain technical tradeoffs clearly and drive solutions proactivelyStrong ownership mindset with a bias toward actionNice to HaveExperience with MSIX, unpackaged apps, Xbox-to-Windows migration, PWA packaging, and Windows Store publishingFamiliarity with installer technologies such as WiXExperience with GitHub Actions, SDK fixes, and CI publishing workflowsData pipeline literacy (Spark, Fabric, large-scale systems)Experience using AI tools like Copilot for prototyping and workflow accelerationPrevious 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).Originally posted on Himalayas