Xero

Senior Engineer - AI Builder at Xero (Sydney, Australia)

Xero· Sydney, Australia·

Role details

Work type
Hybrid
Employment
Full-Time

Xero at a glance

Cloud accounting and financial-management software for small businesses and their advisors.

Xero is cloud-based accounting software for small businesses and the accountants and bookkeepers who serve them. It automates invoicing, bank reconciliation, bill and expense capture, reporting and cash-flow forecasting, and connects to more than 1,000 third-party apps. Its newer AI agent, JAX, automates routine tasks and answers plain-language questions about a business's finances.

Job description

The role / impact

As a Senior Engineer - AI Builder in Operational Tools & Workflows, you will bring an engineering mindset to design and rapidly ship internal tools and automations that remove toil across our Product & Technology organisation. Your work directly empowers leaders and frontline teams to focus on launching innovative products by automating essential operating rhythms and reducing manual tasks.

In this hands-on role, you will apply modern AI and engineering techniques to build scalable software solutions, connect key data systems, and champion continuous improvement. You will also mentor team members across the business operations community, helping others build confidence and capability in using modern AI tooling.

The team / how they connect

You will join the Global Product & Technology Operations team, serving as a critical engine within the organisation's overall operating structure. Working alongside Embedded Operations Managers, Technical Program Managers, and senior leaders, you will translate operational challenges into elegant technical solutions. Together, the team fosters a highly collaborative, high-performing culture built on curiosity, shared ownership, and modern engineering practices.

Initially, the role will focus on

  • Designing and delivering internal operational tools for status reporting, headcount management, and automated roadmapping
  • Applying AI-first engineering, using large language models and coding agents to automate complex manual workflows
  • Integrating platforms across the systems landscape, including Jira, Confluence, Workday, and data warehouses via APIs
  • Proactively scanning operating models to prototype new AI-enabled solutions that eliminate friction and scale smoothly

Here are some of the things we are looking for

  • A background in software engineering, with proficiency in languages such as Python or TypeScript and experience with full-stack tool creation
  • Hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence tools, coding agents, and low-code frameworks to deliver production-ready software
  • Practical skill in evaluating whether to build custom software, implement low-code workflows, or extend existing SaaS platforms
  • Experience integrating systems through APIs and designing clean data structures using tools like Jira, Confluence, or enterprise data warehouses
  • A strong product mindset that treats internal stakeholders as valued customers, paired with a drive for rapid prototyping
  • Natural curiosity about organisational design, coupled with an ability to communicate comfortably across both engineering and business operations audiences

Where and how you can work

This role is open to applicants based in Australia or New Zealand. We offer flexible working arrangements that combine remote focus days with in-office collaboration time. Our modern office spaces are designed to support flexible work styles, community engagement, and team connection events.

Why work at Xero

  • 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.

Application questions