Windows Cloud Sync Engineer

This is a remote position.

Job Role:Windows Cloud Sync Engineer
Experience:
6+ Years

Location: Remote

Notice Period: Immediate Joiner

Platform:
Windows Desktop

Technology Stack:
C++20, C++/CLI, .NET 8.0, Win32, Cloud Filter API

Development Environment:
Visual Studio 2022, Windows SDK 10.0

Target OS:
Windows 10 and above

About The Role
We are building a high-performance Windows desktop application that seamlessly synchronizes customer files from the Cloud directly into Windows File Explorer. This role focuses on developing a robust cloud sync engine using native C++, creating a C++/CLI interop layer to integrate with a .NET 8.0 application, and implementing deep Windows File Explorer integration using the Windows Cloud Filter API.

The ideal candidate has strong Windows systems programming expertise, modern C++ proficiency, and experience building production-grade desktop software optimized for performance, reliability, and maintainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a cloud file synchronization engine for Windows
• Build and maintain a C++/CLI mixed-mode interop layer between native C++ and .NET 8.0
• Integrate deeply with Windows File Explorer using the Cloud Filter API (cfapi.h)
• Implement file system callbacks, sync root registration, and on-demand file hydration
• Develop multi-threaded, asynchronous components optimized for performance and stability
• Work across managed and unmanaged boundaries to debug and resolve complex issues
• Collaborate with .NET developers to deliver a seamless desktop experience
• Ensure production-quality code with a focus on reliability, security, and maintainability

Must-Have Qualifications
Cloud Sync Engine Development

• Hands-on experience with Windows Cloud Filter API (cfapi.h) or similar OS-level file sync technologies

• Strong understanding of:

• Sync root registration

• Placeholder file states

• On-demand hydration patterns

• Experience implementing native file system callback handlers

Modern C++ (C++20)

• 5+ years of professional native C++ development on Windows

• Strong expertise in modern C++ features:

• std::variant, std::optional, std::string_view

• Lambdas, std::function, functional programming patterns

• Template metaprogramming and variadic templates

• Deep understanding of memory management, RAII, and pointer safety

C++/CLI Interoperability

• Experience developing C++/CLI mixed-mode assemblies targeting .NET Core / .NET 8.0
• Ability to design ref class wrappers exposing native C++ functionality to managed code
• Strong understanding of managed vs unmanaged compilation boundaries
• Experience with string marshaling between std::wstring and System::String^

Windows Systems Programming

• Strong knowledge of Win32 API, Windows Shell APIs, and File System APIs

• Proven experience in multi-threaded programming:

• Thread pools and work scheduling

• Synchronization primitives (std::mutex, std::shared_mutex, reader-writer locks)

• Async and callback-based architectures

• Familiarity with Windows SDK 10.0 and Windows 10+ targeting

COM Programming

• Experience implementing COM components:

• IUnknown, reference counting, class factories

• Knowledge of DLL exports:

• DllGetClassObject, DllRegisterServer, DllUnregisterServer

• Understanding of registry-based COM registration

Build Systems & Tooling

• Proficiency with Visual Studio 2022 for mixed C++/C# solutions
• Experience with MSBuild and .vcxproj configuration
• Strong debugging skills across managed and unmanaged code

Nice-to-Have Qualifications
Windows Shell Extensions

• Experience building shell extensions such as:

• Context menu handlers (IContextMenu, IShellExtInit)

• Icon overlay handlers

• Property handlers

• Knowledge of Windows Explorer integration patterns

• NET Desktop Development
• Experience with .NET 8.0 WPF desktop applications
• Familiarity with MVVM architecture and data binding
• Ability to contribute to C# codebases when required

Database & Serialization

• Experience using SQLite via the C API
• Familiarity with nlohmann/json or similar C++ JSON libraries

Installer & Deployment

• Experience with NSIS installer scripting
• Knowledge of WiX Toolset v4 for MSI creation
• Understanding of enterprise-grade Windows installer best practices

CI/CD & Testing

• Experience with GitHub Actions for Windows CI pipelines
• Familiarity with testing strategies in mixed C++/.NET environments
• Experience with unit, integration, and end-to-end testing

Security & Authentication

• Experience with Windows Credential Manager
• Understanding of OAuth 2.0 authentication flows in desktop applications
• Knowledge of Windows security models and file system permissions

Logging & Observability

• Experience with structured logging (ECS / Elastic Common Schema)
• Familiarity with centralized logging solutions such as Elasticsearch

Bonus Points

• Prior experience building cloud sync clients (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive-style architectures)
• Experience with chunked or resumable file upload and download mechanisms