The role and its impact
As an Associate Security Engineer in our Security Defence team, you'll help design, build and continuously improve the capabilities we rely on to detect, investigate and respond to security threats. You'll work alongside Security Operations, Security Response, Engineering, Product, CX and Legal, turning threat intelligence and security requirements into practical, reliable controls that keep Xero and our customers safe.
You’ll develop your engineering capability through delivery, pairing, incident participation, and learning from more experienced engineers while contributing to the protection of Xero and our customers.
The team and how they connect
Security Defence sits at the heart of how Xero detects and responds to threats, working across SIEM, SOAR, EDR and cloud security tooling to keep our platform and customers protected. The team works closely with Security Operations, Security Response, Engineering and Product to turn insight into action, and prides itself on a high-trust, blameless, learning-oriented culture where questions and curiosity are always welcome.
The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on
Monitoring, investigating, and responding to security alerts and suspected incidents with guidance from experienced engineers and analysts.
Contribute to detection, monitoring, enrichment, and response workflows across security platforms such as SIEM, SOAR, EDR, cloud security, and related services.
Building and improving detection content, integrations, dashboards and alerting across our security platforms
Developing runbooks, playbooks and automations that reduce manual effort and speed up response
Expanding threat-intelligence-led detection engineering and automation coverage across Xero
Where and how you can work
This role is based in our Melbourne office, offering a hybrid working model that balances local team presence with a global scope of work. You will have the flexibility to work from home while connecting with your colleagues in our modern office space during designated boost days.
Here are some of the things we're looking for
A growth mindset and real curiosity in security engineering, cyber security, software engineering, cloud security, detection engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Comfortable picking up an unfamiliar codebase or platform and applying established patterns with guidance.
You Go Bold by turning threat intelligence and security research into practical, measurable detections and controls.
Clear written and verbal communication, including sharing progress, blockers and context openly with your team.
A collaborative approach, you enjoy pairing and feedback, and Go Together by lifting the people around you.
Hands-on experience scripting, debugging, automating or building small integrations, along with an interest in using AI-assisted tools responsibly.
Experience working in an engineering, security, IT, operations, or technology team and collaborating with others to deliver change.
Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team.
Skills Required
- Curiosity and growth mindset in security engineering, cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud security, detection engineering, or a related discipline
- Ability to learn unfamiliar codebases or platforms and apply established patterns with guidance
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Collaborative approach, including pairing and incorporating feedback
- Hands-on experience scripting, debugging, automating, or building small integrations
- Experience working in an engineering, security, IT, operations, or technology team and collaborating to deliver change
- Interest in using AI-assisted tools responsibly
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — U.S. materials cite about 21 days PTO, 10 wellbeing days, five Xtra days, a volunteer day, and 12 paid holidays, plus an end‑of‑year shutdown. Company descriptions position this package toward the upper tier among midsize/large tech employers in the U.S. market.
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Parental & Family Support — Primary caregivers are described as eligible for up to 26 weeks of fully paid parental leave, with partner leave in some markets. Family‑forming support via Carrot and access to Modern Health for employees and immediate family reinforce depth in this area.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Access to Modern Health, a funded ThrivePass wellbeing account (U.S.), and flexible/hybrid work are emphasized as part of a broader wellbeing strategy alongside ERGs and “Boost Day” events. Feedback suggests these programs contribute meaningfully to work‑life balance.
Xero Insights
What We Do
Xero is small business accounting software that provides a platform on which businesses can build a fully integrated solution. It’s designed to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. Xero minimises tedious admin by automating routine tasks, delivers valuable insights when needed, and brings together business data, trusted advisors, and powerful apps in one intuitive platform. By alleviating pain points, Xero empowers small business owners to supercharge their business, simplifying the complex and freeing up time from manual admin so they can focus on what really matters to build the business they’ve always envisaged.
Why Work With Us
Xero is a human-centric organization where you’ll have a tangible impact on the success of small businesses and their communities, globally. Our team of energised, forward-thinkers work to make life better for our customers and each other every day. We’re also always committed to supporting you with a flexible environment.
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Xero Teams
Xero Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Join us from home or at one of our beautiful workspaces. Xero has offices in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore, and South Africa.
