At Xero, we’re looking for an experienced Head of Engineering to lead multiple engineering teams across key product portfolios, and help us build better products for small businesses around the world.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who can operate across people, technology, delivery, and strategy. You’ll lead globally distributed teams, partner closely with Product and Design, and create the conditions for teams to deliver high-quality, high-impact software at scale.
As a Head of Engineering, you’ll provide technical leadership across your portfolio while supporting and growing other engineering leaders. You’ll bring clarity to complex challenges, help teams make smart trade-offs, and ensure delivery remains aligned to customer, commercial, and technical priorities.
You’ll also play an important role in shaping how engineering evolves at Xero, including lifting capability across teams, strengthening operational excellence, and driving AI-first ways of working where they create real value.
Lead and grow multiple engineering teams within your portfolio
Set clear direction across delivery, architecture, people leadership, and engineering standards
Partner with Product and Design leaders to balance customer needs, business goals, and technical health
Act as a technical anchor with an informed view on system quality, reliability, and long-term sustainability
Drive complex cross-functional programs with strong accountability and clear outcomes
Support the adoption of AI-first practices, responsible AI architecture, and AI-powered workflows across the portfolio
Lead technical modernisation initiatives, including service decomposition, API-first design, and platform improvements
Raise the bar on operational excellence, service ownership, observability, and continuous improvement
Build high-performing teams and leaders, creating a culture of growth, accountability, inclusion, and psychological safety
Proven experience leading leaders and managing multiple engineering teams in fast-moving, scaled environments
Strong technical judgment, with deep understanding of software architecture, engineering trade-offs, and managing technical debt
Experience shaping strategy and aligning teams to deliver against broad organisational goals
A track record of simplifying complexity and driving progress across cross-functional environments
Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to coach, challenge, and develop high-performing teams
High emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, empathy, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate tension constructively
A bias for action and a practical approach to decision-making
A genuine interest in how AI can improve engineering effectiveness, product development, and customer outcomes
At Xero, you’ll have the opportunity to lead meaningful work at scale, influence the future of engineering across important product areas, and help build an environment where great teams can do their best work.
We offer a hybrid way of working, combining the flexibility of remote work with in-person collaboration through our office spaces and boost days.
If you’re an experienced engineering leader who enjoys building strong teams, solving complex problems, and creating impact through technology, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply even if your experience doesn’t match every point listed. We hire for capability, potential, and perspective, not just perfect alignment on paper.
Skills Required
- Deep understanding of software architecture and design trade-offs
- Proven track record of managing and growing high-performing leaders and teams
- Strong strategic acumen to simplify complex challenges
- Ability to foster a growth mindset and culture of accountability
- Strong interpersonal skills with high emotional intelligence
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off in the U.S. is extensive, including 21 days of annual leave, 10 days of wellbeing leave, five Xtra days, three year‑end company holidays, and one paid volunteer day. These layered leave types emphasize work–life balance beyond standard vacation alone.
-
Parental & Family Support — Primary caregivers are offered 26 weeks at 100% pay and partners receive six weeks, with employer‑verified applicability for U.S. staff. Family‑forming support via Carrot complements these policies.
-
Healthcare Strength — Coverage includes medical through Cigna/Kaiser, dental, vision, FSAs, and mental‑health support via Modern Health. The package reflects broad health support alongside time‑off and family programs.
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.
