---
title: 'Principal Engineer at Xero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-engineer-xero-melbourne-bg1vqa91ftq9'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-19'
---

# Principal Engineer at Xero

- **Company:** [Xero](https://feeny.ai/companies/xero)
- **Location:** Melbourne, Australia
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-07-24
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-19
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xero/c00839ba-9158-4fbf-99ad-71461129d258/application

**Skills:** Cloud-native platforms, Distributed systems, AWS, Kubernetes, React, SLOS, DevOps

> Lead the technical strategy and architecture for Xero's product group, focusing on refactoring monolithic systems into cloud-native distributed architectures. Drive the adoption of DevOps practices, AWS, Kubernetes, and React while mentoring engineers and establishing engineering standards.

## Job description

We are hiring a number of Principal Engineer roles across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to join multiple teams at Xero. As a Principal Engineer, you will drive technical excellence and lead the evolution of complex, distributed software systems that power critical experiences for millions of small businesses. You will shape architecture, solve intricate engineering challenges at scale, and set new technical standards across the organization.

Your impact extends far beyond code. You will serve as a technical guide and mentor across multiple teams, influencing strategic decisions, championing modern delivery practices, and elevating engineering quality to ensure our products remain reliable, secure, and scalable.

The team / how they connect You will join a collaborative engineering collective comprising cross-functional development teams, product managers, and architecture practice leaders. The team works together in a supportive environment focused on open communication, continuous learning, and shared technical governance. Together, you will bridge high-level product strategy with hands-on technical execution to deliver seamless digital tools.

The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on

- Designing, refactoring, and modernising monolithic architecture into highly scalable, resilient distributed microservices.
- Establishing foundational CI/CD practices, test-driven development methodologies, and robust automated testing frameworks across engineering groups.
- Working with AWS cloud infrastructure, C#, React, Kubernetes, and distributed event-driven systems.
- Defining architectural patterns and contributing to company-wide technical standards and best practices.

Where and how you can work We offer a flexible, hybrid working style that balances working from home with collaborative in-office connection across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. You will have access to modern office facilities designed for teamwork and innovation, with designated boost days that bring teams together in person to build culture, hold planning sessions, and collaborate on strategic initiatives.

Here are some of the things we are looking for

- You bring an extensive background in software engineering, with expertise in architecting, building, and operating complex distributed cloud applications.
- Your experience demonstrates a proven ability to make major system design decisions and refactor monolithic code bases into modular microservices.
- A deep mastery of modern engineering practices, including automated testing, continuous integration, continuous delivery, and domain-driven design, defines your approach.
- You bring strong leadership qualities alongside a genuine passion for coaching, mentoring, and lifting the technical capabilities of engineers around you.
- Broad familiarity with modern tech stacks, cloud platform architecture, and containerised deployments will set you up for success.
- Excellent communication skills allow you to articulate complex technical ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

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.

## About Xero

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Xero provides cloud-based accounting and financial management software for small businesses, serving over 4.9 million customers worldwide.
- **Entity Type**: Public (ASX: XRO, S&P/ASX 200 component)
- **Headquarters**: Wellington, New Zealand
- **Founded**: July 6, 2006
- **Founders**: Rod Drury, Hamish Edwards

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Cloud accounting software (SaaS)
- **Target customers**: Small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers (B2B)
- **Mission**: To make life better for small businesses globally by automating routine tasks and delivering actionable insights.

## Products & Services
- **Xero Accounting Software**: Cloud-based platform for invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. Sold by subscription (Starter, Standard, Premium tiers).
- **JAX – AI Finance Partner**: An AI-powered assistant integrated into Xero that automates routine tasks and provides insights to help businesses grow.
- **Xero Ecosystem**: Over 1,000 third-party app integrations via the Xero App Store, covering payments, inventory, CRM, and more.
- **Xero for Nonprofits**: Discounted subscriptions (25% off) for eligible nonprofit and community organisations.
- **Xero for Purpose**: Social impact initiatives including financial literacy programmes (Unlock Your Numbers), sustainability tools (Sumday carbon app), and the Xero Beautiful Business Fund (NZ$750,000+ in funding annually).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in provided sources (publicly traded with market cap available on ASX; latest data not included in search results).
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue NZ$2.103 billion (FY2025); Net income NZ$227.8 million (FY2025).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Board Chair David Thodey; CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy. In June 2025, Xero announced an agreement to acquire Melio, a New York-based payments provider, for $2.5 billion.
- **Growth Signals**: Achieved Rule of 40 outcomes of 41.0% (May 2024) and 43.9% (Nov 2024). Customer base grew to 4.9 million. Headcount of 4,610 employees (2025). Expanding globally with offices in New Zealand, Australia, UK, US, Canada, South Africa, and Singapore.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Market leader** in cloud accounting across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
- **AI-first approach** with JAX, embedded directly into the core product to reduce manual work.
- **Extensive integration ecosystem** (1,000+ apps) creating high switching costs for customers.
- **Strong brand trust** built over 19 years with a focus on small business success.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI and automation**: Deepening AI capabilities (JAX) to deliver predictive insights and automate finance workflows.
- **Payments expansion**: Acquisition of Melio to strengthen payments capabilities for small businesses.
- **Sustainability**: Reducing carbon emissions (72% reduction in scope 1 & 2), offering free carbon accounting tools, and supporting small business sustainability.
- **Social impact**: Scaling programmes like the Beautiful Business Fund and financial literacy initiatives.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values-driven, human-centric organisation with a focus on making a tangible impact on small businesses globally.
- **Flexibility**: Emphasises a flexible environment and time for what matters most (remote/hybrid policy not explicitly stated but implied).
- **Perks & benefits**:
  - One paid day off per year for volunteering (Community Connect programme).
  - Free access to Sumday carbon accounting app for employees.
  - Financial literacy resources and mentorship programmes.
- **Engineering & innovation**: Dedicated Engineering and Data & AI teams (open roles visible on careers page). Global collaboration across 7+ countries.
- **Diversity & inclusion**: Indigenous inclusion initiatives (te ao Māori in NZ, Reconciliation Action Plan in Australia), support for Indigenous communities.
- **Sustainability focus**: Employees can contribute to environmental goals through company-wide initiatives.

## Sources
1. [Wikipedia – Xero](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xero)
2. [Xero About Page](https://www.xero.com/au/about/)
3. [Xero Careers – Inside Xero](https://careers.xero.com/inside-xero/)
4. [Xero Careers – Teams](https://careers.xero.com/)
5. [Xero Homepage](https://www.xero.com/)

## Other roles at Xero

- [Senior AB Journey Manager - Onboarding](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-ab-journey-manager-onboarding-xero-san-mateo-f1eamh70fgx5) — San Mateo, CA
- [Marketing Manager, North America](https://feeny.ai/job/marketing-manager-north-america-xero-denver-e5306hbahke3) — Denver, CO
- [Lead Engineer (Accounting Core Team)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-engineer-accounting-core-team-xero-vancouver-166dm2s9yxbk) — Vancouver, Canada
- [Senior/Applied Scientist - AI Products](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-applied-scientist-ai-products-xero-melbourne-kwwa3xcj3n0r) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Senior Account Executive](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-account-executive-xero-san-mateo-m0t8f26txf5q) — San Mateo, CA
- [Paid Social Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/paid-social-specialist-xero-wellington-j8czp8heb6sn) — Wellington, New Zealand
- [Paid Social Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/paid-social-specialist-xero-auckland-y5g3d60s3bt2) — Auckland, New Zealand
- [Paid Social Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/paid-social-specialist-xero-brisbane-8v2tb12v3t36) — Brisbane, Australia
- [Paid Social Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/paid-social-specialist-xero-sydney-8nxjxhgaa8cg) — Sydney, Australia
- [Paid Social Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/paid-social-specialist-xero-melbourne-9hg51nh8039n) — Melbourne, Australia