The role / impact
As a Lead Engineer within the Internal AI Accelerator Squad, you will be at the forefront of Xero’s transformation into an AI-native company. You will act as a forward-deployed engineer, embedding yourself within various internal business teams to co-design and operationalise agentic AI workflows that remove manual toil and fundamentally reshape how our people work end-to-end.
Your impact extends beyond the code; you will lead the delivery of high-stakes AI agents from discovery to production, while acting as a technical partner and evangelist. By defining the patterns, guardrails, and tooling for intelligent automation, you will create the blueprint that enables the rest of Xero to harness the power of AI safely and effectively.
The team / how they connect
You will join a dedicated, high-velocity squad focused on boosting the adoption of agentic AI and intelligent automation across the global business. The team connects through a shared mission of rapid experimentation and "vibe-coding," working closely with product owners and SMEs to turn complex, messy workflows into elegant, automated solutions.
The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on
Designing and iterating on AI agents and workflow orchestrations using tools like Claude, Gemini, and MCP.
Integrating AI systems with core enterprise platforms including Salesforce, Workday, Slack, and NetSuite.
Developing reusable automation patterns and shared templates to be used by the business
Building evaluation and monitoring frameworks to measure performance and ensure the safety of AI-native workflows.
Where and how you can work
At Xero, we embrace a hybrid way of working that prioritises both flexibility and meaningful connection. You will have the autonomy to work from home, supported by regular boost days in our modern office spaces designed to foster collaboration, brainstorming, and team bonding.
Here are some of the things we are looking for
You bring a wealth of experience in building and operating applications or automations within production environments, particularly involving APIs and cloud infrastructure.
Your background includes hands-on delivery of AI-driven solutions such as agents, copilots, or RAG systems using LLMs like Claude or Gemini.
You possess proficiency in programming languages such as Python or TypeScript and feel comfortable navigating SDKs and webhooks.
A systems-thinking approach is part of your toolkit, allowing you to design agents with security, auditability, and controlled blast radius at the forefront.
You have a track record of partnering with non-technical stakeholders to translate business pain points into technical solution designs.
You are a natural coach who enjoys uplifting the AI fluency of those around you through pairing, workshops, and clear communication.
Compensation Philosophy
At Xero, we value the impact and skills you bring to the team. We don’t just hire for a role; we invest in people. We believe in a Total Package philosophy - which means your value isn't just a single number on a paycheque. While base salary is a core component, we look at your compensation through a holistic lens that includes equity, performance incentives, and world-class benefits.
The base salary range for this role in Canada is $240,000 - $260,000 CAD.
Please note that this range represents base salary only. We believe in rewarding our people for their total contribution, which is why we look at compensation through a holistic lens. In addition to base pay, your total package may include:
Variable Pay: Eligibility commissions or equity based on role and performance.
Comprehensive Benefits: World-class health, wellness, and retirement programs.
Xero Perks: Inside Xero Explore our full suite of benefits, from wellbeing initiatives to professional development.
Individual pay is determined by various factors, including geography, level of experience, and the specific skills you bring to the role
Skills Required
- Experience building and operating production applications or automations involving APIs and cloud infrastructure
- Hands-on delivery of AI-driven solutions, including agents, copilots, or retrieval-augmented generation systems using large language models such as Claude or Gemini
- Proficiency in Python or TypeScript
- Experience working with SDKs and webhooks
- Ability to design secure, auditable AI agents with controlled blast radius
- Experience partnering with non-technical stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solution designs
- Ability to coach others through pairing, workshops, and clear communication
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.
