---
title: 'Senior Engineer - AI Builder at Xero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-ai-builder-xero-sydney-2rb7b59np7jf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Senior Engineer - AI Builder at Xero

- **Company:** [Xero](https://feeny.ai/companies/xero)
- **Location:** Sydney, Australia
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xero/03e1237c-db16-4cd5-8cc8-0a1eef12e36e

## 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.

## 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 Mobile Engineer – iOS / Android](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mobile-engineer-ios-android-xero-melbourne-mdxvb7gz77n9) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Senior Mobile Engineer – React Native](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mobile-engineer-react-native-xero-sydney-mveske2x9djw) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Mobile Engineer - iOS/Android](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mobile-engineer-ios-android-xero-sydney-kptpp7j9ekfa) — Sydney, Australia
- [Senior Mobile Engineer - React Native](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mobile-engineer-react-native-xero-melbourne-ascg2ez078kr) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Associate Security Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-security-engineer-xero-melbourne-mawp8hnc0tcc) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Lead Product Manager – Payments Risk](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-product-manager-payments-risk-xero-vancouver-n95mxmrchcb9) — Vancouver, Canada
- [Business Development Representative](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-representative-xero-denver-0r89a4awmjpv) — Denver, CO
- [Solutions Consultant](https://feeny.ai/job/solutions-consultant-xero-melbourne-n47m435fpyzz) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Senior Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-machine-learning-engineer-xero-ontario-1gbmfz62vsqp) — Ontario, Canada
- [Solutions Consultant](https://feeny.ai/job/solutions-consultant-xero-united-states-ck1901em1a0w) — United States