Muse Group is looking for a Head of Desktop Engineering to take ownership of some of the most widely used creative software in the world — MuseScore Studio and Audacity, two large, long-lived, open-source C++ desktop applications used by millions of musicians and audio creators. Based in Cyprus or fully remote.

Key responsibilities

Desktop architecture across MuseScore Studio, Audacity and MuseHub, including the Audacity 4.1+ engine decision and the MuseHub tray-agent architecture.
Engineering health of the desktop surfaces: crash-free sessions, licence validation across updates, agent lifecycle, plugin scanning, latency.
The move to the lighter three-surface MuseHub without breaking the install base.
Horizontal ownership of the C++ discipline — hiring bar, levelling, standards, growth; engineers stay in their product teams and the discipline runs through its leads.
Agentic development in the discipline, with the AI Catalyst and QA Automation Lead.
The in-host panel in Audacity and MuseScore Studio as a revenue surface.

Requirements

8+ years in C++ desktop product engineering, 2–3 of them leading engineers.
Shipped cross-platform desktop software (Windows, macOS, Linux) to a large consumer install base.
Able to run a build-vs-adopt engine evaluation and defend it at C-level; JUCE/Tracktion experience directly relevant.
Large legacy codebases refactored under a live user base.
Desktop distribution: installers, auto-update, signing and notarisation, licence enforcement, crash reporting.
Plugin hosts (VST3/AU/LV2) desirable.
Led a horizontal or guild where engineers report elsewhere day-to-day.
Hands-on with agentic coding stacks applied to C++.
Open-source experience desirable.
Muse leadership match.
Real-time audio depth is desirable: driver modes (WASAPI shared vs exclusive, ASIO, CoreAudio, ALSA/PipeWire), buffer sizing, round-trip latency measurement, lock-free callbacks, thread priority.

Benefits

Creativity every day: Make inspiring products for musicians, artists and creators – no day is the same.
Impactful work: Influence the future of the music industry and change the lives of millions worldwide.
Work set up: We’ll make sure you’re set up for success with the right work equipment, whether that’s company-provided hardware or an equipment allowance.
Growth and development: Receive specialized training, language lessons, conferences and learning materials.
Team well-being: Support for your mental health and wellbeing, including confidential help during life’s tougher moments.