The role / impact
As a Lead Engineer, you will shape a strategically important product at the intersection of product, platform, and partner integration. You will exhibit an exceptional standard of technical judgement, innovation, and execution to tackle open-ended problems, defining both the technical direction and the implementation details to solve complex engineering challenges at scale. Your work ensures that our systems remain secure, scalable, and maintainable as we expand our distributed architectures.
In this role, you will model the standard for engineering excellence, helping to break down silos across functions and driving multi-year product or platform goals. You will make a meaningful impact by simplifying technical complexities and making data-driven decisions that release value early to solve problems for our customers more effectively.
The team / how they connect
You will join the Xero Practice Engineering team, a cross-functional group that cares deeply about building the right thing, working well together, and creating an experience that feels genuinely part of Xero. Based primarily in Auckland and operating in a remote-friendly environment, the team partners closely with external providers to bring Xero Workpapers into Xero Practice Tools. Together, they own the Xero-side engineering across integration architecture, identity, provisioning, and secure access to organisation and ledger data.
The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on
Spearheading Xero's approach to second-party integrations by evolving a robust .NET codebase with a React front end.
Designing and scaling high-performance, asynchronous systems to handle a massive increase in event volume from 4 million to 20 million daily events.
Architecting cloud-native infrastructure within a Kubernetes environment, optimising pod refreshes, health checks, and deployment pipelines.
Collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders, including Product, Design, and external partners, to align on complex architectural choices.
Where and how you can work
This role is preferred to be based in New Zealand, with our team hub located in Auckland. Xero offers a flexible, hybrid, and remote-friendly working environment where you can balance working from home with connecting with your colleagues in our modern office spaces, alignment days, and collaborative team activities.
Here are some of the things we are looking for
You bring deep technical knowledge of the .NET tech stack and cloud-native architecture.
A background in designing performant, high-throughput asynchronous systems and working with Kubernetes systems.
Experience simplifying complex system designs into scalable, flexible, and resilient components.
You possess a natural ability to coach, mentor, and guide the technical growth of senior engineers on the team.
Exceptional collaborative skills that enable you to navigate stakeholder viewpoints, build cross-functional relationships, and settle technical disagreements constructively.
A proactive approach to codebase health, system observability, and process improvement to resolve systemic delivery issues.
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
- Deep technical knowledge of the .NET tech stack
- Experience with cloud-native architecture
- Background in high-throughput asynchronous systems
- Experience with Kubernetes systems
- Ability to coach and mentor senior engineers
- Strong collaborative and stakeholder management skills
- Proactive approach to codebase health and system observability
Xero Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
