The role and it’s impact
As a hands-on Technical Lead/Staff Engineer and technical authority in our Product Platform division, you will shape the technical direction for Xero’s API and SDK surfaces. You will treat APIs as first-class products, balancing external developer experience with internal platform consistency to build a reliable foundation for the future of our accounting services.
Your work will directly enable external partners to embed Xero capabilities into their own systems and unlock intelligent automation through AI-ready interfaces. By designing composable and safe APIs, you will help create experiences that allow small businesses to thrive in a more efficient, automated economy.
The team and how they connect
You will join our new API Platform team in Vancouver, which focuses on positioning APIs as Xero’s core product surface. We work together to deliver the API pillar of our technical strategy that supports AI, mobile, and ecosystem use cases.
The team is currently working on
Our current technical stack includes an open source graph technologies powered by gRPC, and backend services built in modern languages like C#, Go, or Java.
We are standing up a developer platform to provide a seamless path from domain models to running APIs integrated with CI/CD and production runtimes.
You will help deliver across core accounting and tax domains using the Supergraph model to consolidate our technical stack and developer experience.
The team is beginning a legacy burndown to replace or front expensive back-channel endpoints with coherent, strongly-typed interfaces and stable contracts.
Where and how you can work
This role is based in our Vancouver office. We embrace a hybrid working model that balances the flexibility of remote work with purposeful in-person collaboration.
Here are some of the things we are looking for
You bring deep expertise in backend and platform engineering at scale, particularly within multi-tenant SaaS or high-throughput environments.
A background in designing external-facing APIs and SDKs means you understand how to create interfaces that are discoverable, composable, and easy for other humans to use.
Proficiency in modern backend stacks like C#, Go, or Java allows you to build high-availability services and experiment with new tools when they add value.
A commitment to driving and evolving best practices allows you to champion modern engineering principles, coupled with an authentic passion for coaching and mentoring other engineers.
Building strong partnerships across different product and engineering domains comes naturally to you, ensuring we collaborate effectively to achieve shared goals.
Your curiosity about AI and agentic architectures helps you design API contracts that are ready for the future of intelligent automation and LLM orchestration.
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.
Compensation & Total Rewards
At Xero, we value the impact and skills you bring to the team. We believe in a Total Package philosophy - ensuring your value is recognized through a holistic lens that includes base salary, performance incentives, and world-class benefits.
The expected base salary range for this role is $173,900 - $217,400 CAD.
Individual pay is determined by various factors, including geography, level of experience, and the specific skills you bring to the role.
In addition to base pay, Xero’s roles are eligible for the following forms of variable compensation:
Variable Pay: Permanent employees are eligible to participate in our annual bonus and equity (RSU) programs. You may also be eligible for performance-based cash or equity (RSUs) incentives depending on your role level, and company performance.
Comprehensive Benefits: World-class health, wellness, and retirement programs. Xero Perks including Wellbeing days, generous leave, and dedicated professional development budgets.
This is a posting for an existing vacancy.
Xero uses AI to help screen applications based on job-related qualifications. These tools assist our recruiters but do not make automated hiring decisions. A human recruiter reviews all candidates before any hiring action is taken.
Skills Required
- Deep expertise in backend and platform engineering at scale in multi-tenant SaaS environments
- Background in designing external-facing APIs and SDKs
- Proficiency in modern backend stacks like C#, Go, or Java
- Commitment to driving and evolving best practices in engineering
- Ability to build partnerships across product and engineering domains
- Curiosity about AI and intelligent automation architectures
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is outlined as up to 26 weeks for primary caregivers with six weeks for partners, supported by family-forming benefits through Carrot. Flexible return-to-work support is also highlighted.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off provisions include 21 days of annual leave, 10 wellbeing days, five Xtra days, three year-end company holidays, a paid volunteer day, and flexible working options. Global materials also emphasize additional wellbeing leave and local flexibility.
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Healthcare Strength — U.S. coverage includes medical via Cigna or Kaiser with dental and vision, complemented by global mental-health support through Modern Health for employees and immediate family. Life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability are also included in the package.
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.
