Windows Architect

Compensation: $180,000-$210,000

Team and Position Details:

As a Windows Architect reporting to the Chief Technology Officer, you will be dedicated to architectural excellence and technical leadership for Virtru's digital privacy products. The ideal candidate will have a natural passion for digital privacy, software architecture, and delivering exceptional technical solutions. You'll have the opportunity to work with and mentor a stellar team of passionate Engineers who are collaborative, cohesive, and dedicated to producing high-quality results. We encourage curiosity and have a culture that encourages growth. As a Technical Architect on this team, you will be on the cutting edge of Zero-Trust - the future of data and service protection!

This is a player/coach role with primary focus on architecture, design, and technical health, while also contributing to critical technical implementations. You will partner closely with Engineering Managers to provide dedicated architecture and design support, ensuring our Windows-based solutions are robust, scalable, and maintainable. This role will not have direct reports. 

As a Windows Architect, your responsibilities will include:

Software Architecture & Design:

• Lead system design and architecture reviews for Windows kernel and user-mode components
• Create and maintain architectural documentation, including authoring and reviewing ADRs (Architecture Decision Records), to ensure alignment with overall software architecture
• Guide API design, data modeling, and integration patterns for Windows driver and service development
• Provide technical direction for complex features and initiatives involving Windows file systems, security, and system-level integration
• Drive architectural decisions for Windows platform components across teams

Technical Health & Quality:

• Monitor and improve technical debt across Windows-focused engineering teams
• Partner with Engineering Managers to define key technical health metrics and streamline technical onboarding processes
• Drive reliability, performance, and security best practices for kernel-mode and user-mode Windows development
• Break down complex technical tasks into clear, manageable deliverables for the team
• Ensure sustainable engineering practices and code quality standards
• Serve as a technical guide for team members, helping them master Windows internals, architecture, and development practices
• Ensure teams are delivering solutions to satisfy requirements while aligning to current and future architectural designs

Technical Leadership & Mentorship:

• Coach and mentor engineers on Windows internals/driver development, system architecture, and best practices
• Lead by example through high-quality code contributions to critical or complex components
• Share knowledge of Windows internals, security models, and emerging technologies with the team
• Conduct code reviews with focus on architectural alignment and quality
• Support hiring processes and technical assessments for Windows engineering candidates

Collaboration & Strategic Partnership:

• Partner with Engineering Managers through regular 1:1s and team planning sessions
• Collaborate with product management, UX, and other architects to design and deliver new software solutions
• Work with other Technical Architects to identify and resolve cross-team dependencies and technical challenges
• Ensure technical roadmap alignment with product and business priorities
• Participate in and contribute to platform-wide architectural initiatives

Execution:

• Take ownership of the entire lifecycle and toolchain of Windows components from design through deployment
• Contribute to critical technical implementations, balancing hands-on coding with architectural responsibilities
• Work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment touching a variety of projects and products
• Build software that will meaningfully impact how people approach data privacy

Skills that will help you thrive in this role:

• Deep expertise with developing kernel-mode and user-mode Windows drivers utilizing Windows File IO APIs, filter managers, and system-level APIs
• Extensive experience implementing enterprise authentication strategies, SSO integrations, and token-based security patterns with Microsoft Identity Platform
• 7-10+ years of professional software engineering experience with C and C++
• Strong demonstrable understanding of software design patterns and architectural principles
• Proven track record of designing and delivering complex, production-grade Windows system software
• Expertise with Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code development environments, and CMake
• Deep understanding of Windows internals, security models, and performance optimization
• Experience with Windows service development and system-level debugging
• Experience with Azure cloud architecture and microservices

Architectural & Leadership Skills:

• Demonstrated experience leading architectural design and technical direction for engineering teams
• Proven ability to influence without authority and drive technical decisions across teams
• Strong technical mentoring and coaching experience
• Experience creating architectural documentation, design documents, and technical specifications
• Track record of improving technical health metrics and reducing technical debt
• Experience with cross-team collaboration and dependency management

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical discipline (or equivalent experience)
• At least 7 years of professional software engineering experience, with significant focus on Windows systems programming
• Proven experience in architectural or technical leadership roles

Communication & Collaboration:

• Excellent ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Strong presentation skills and ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Experience with stakeholder management and aligning technical decisions with business context
• Motivated by delivering customer value, team impact, and technical excellence

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience architecting Microsoft 365 add-ins with focus on security, performance, and user experience
• Knowledge of data privacy, encryption, and zero-trust security models
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and modern DevOps practices
• Contributions to open-source projects or technical community involvement

Virtruvian qualities that will set you up for success:

• Thinking outside of the box to respectfully challenge your teammates and managers in the pursuit of excellence
• Strong sense of urgency with an action-oriented mindset
• Able to collaborate and adapt to shifting priorities as business needs evolve
• Comfortable with asynchronous communication including slack, email, zoom, etc.

Perks & Benefits:

At Virtru, we believe people do their best work when their wellbeing is put first. This is why we make your wellbeing our priority with a thoughtful and holistic program that encompasses Occupational, Mental, Social, Physical, and Environmental Wellness by offering benefits such as…

• A Flexible PTO policy — we strongly encourage you to take time off (in addition to 14 holidays) to ensure that you are getting the proper time needed to unplug and recharge. 
• A $1,500 annual Learning & Development Stipend focused on providing you the resources to continually learn and professionally grow.
• Frequent company-sponsored team celebrations that provide ample opportunities to connect with teammates and be social!
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program
• Access to Headspace, a mental health app tailored to your specific needs.
• A flat 3% contribution to your retirement account
• A high degree of flexibility — Have an appointment, errand, or family emergency to take care of? Hop to it! We give you the time and space to take care of you and your own first.

In addition to wellbeing, Virtru places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Our DE&I Council is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and making the psychological safety of each and every one of our teammates a top priority. 

Additional perks include: 

• Competitive compensation
• Generous parental, medical, and bereavement policies
• 401K contribution and stock options
• Full medical, dental, and vision benefits
• New Hire Swag and IT Welcome boxes
• Structured semi-annual 360° performance reviews

Virtru is committed to building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and everyone is encouraged to apply. Virtru is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, national origin, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law.