The role & impact
As Engineering Manager, you'll lead a high-performing, inclusive team of ML and platform engineers, responsible for turning research and models into production-grade ML infrastructure that runs at scale. You'll balance predictable delivery with a relentless focus on system health, taking the lead on MLOps maturity, observability and the operational realities of running AI systems in production, not just shipping features.
You'll work closely with senior individual contributors, including staff and principal engineers, who shape the technical architecture, while you focus on team growth, delivery rigour and championing AI-native workflows across the software development lifecycle. This is a role for someone who wants to build both the systems and the people capable of running AI at Xero's scale.
The team & how they connect
You'll join Xero's Data & AI organisation, within the AI Products division, reporting to the GM of ML Engineering. The team takes research and models from applied scientists and turns them into safe, scalable, production ML infrastructure that millions of small businesses rely on every day. It's a close, cross-functional group that partners tightly with Applied Science, Data Engineering and Product to move ideas from prototype to production.
The team is currently working on
Production ML infrastructure and MLOps supporting Xero's AI-native product suite
Systems powering JAX (Just Ask Xero), Xero's conversational GenAI assistant
Auto Bank Rec and smart document capture, including AI-powered transaction matching and extraction from bills and receipts
Future work extending cash flow forecasting and other embedded ML capabilities
Where and how you can work
We support a flexible working model that empowers you to balance your professional and personal life. You will have the option to work in a hybrid capacity, combining the focus of remote work with the collaboration of our office spaces and team boost days to foster connection and alignment.
Here are some of the things we're looking for, for this role
You'll bring a strong track record of leading, coaching and developing engineers, with real experience building team capability over time
Strong technical judgement across architecture, system design and engineering trade-offs is part of how you naturally operate
You've translated business goals into executable engineering plans, balancing short-term delivery against long-term system health
Delivering roadmaps predictably in fast-paced, evolving environments is familiar territory for you
You stay hands-on when it counts, comfortable writing, reviewing or debugging production code to unblock your team or support an incident
Experience with machine learning or AI systems is a bonus rather than a requirement, though genuine curiosity about the space will help you thrive here
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
- Track record of leading, coaching, and developing engineers
- Experience building team capability over time
- Strong technical judgment across architecture, system design, and engineering trade-offs
- Ability to translate business goals into executable engineering plans
- Experience balancing short-term delivery with long-term system health
- Experience delivering roadmaps predictably in fast-paced, evolving environments
- Comfort writing, reviewing, or debugging production code
- Experience with machine learning or AI systems
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — The U.S. package lists 21 days of annual leave, 10 days of wellbeing leave, five “Xtra” days, three year‑end company holidays, and a paid volunteer day. Global materials also point to 20+ days of annual leave and additional wellbeing time across regions, indicating broad coverage beyond the U.S.
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Parental & Family Support — Primary caregivers can receive up to 26 weeks of fully paid parental leave, with six weeks of paid partner leave. Family‑forming benefits (e.g., Carrot) and counseling/coaching access for employees and immediate family further strengthen support.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical (Cigna and Kaiser options), dental (Cigna PPO), and vision (VSP) are complemented by life, AD&D, and short/long‑term disability coverage. Modern Health mental‑health support and a funded ThrivePass wellbeing account add depth to the health offering.
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.
Gallery
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.
