---
title: 'Senior Engineer - Database at Xero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-engineer-database-xero-auckland-9rfj2zffbkcs'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-12'
---

# Senior Engineer - Database at Xero

- **Company:** [Xero](https://feeny.ai/companies/xero)
- **Location:** Auckland, New Zealand
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-09-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-12
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xero/e878c8be-687d-459d-a7b0-3578dcc6b3b1

## Job description

## The role / impact

You will partner with database engineers and product development teams to ensure the resilience, quality, and performance of Xero's core database platform. By combining technical due diligence with modern AI tooling, you will help optimise day-to-day operations across our SQL Server fleet while proactively managing database risks, changes, and releases. In this role, you will play a central part in modernising our data architecture as we migrate services from SQL Server RDS to Aurora Postgres RDS. You will provide strategic guidance on query performance and database design, supporting product teams with deep technical insights to build sustainable, scalable infrastructure for millions of customers. The team / how they connect You will join a supportive and collaborative team of senior database engineers spread across Australia and New Zealand. The team works closely with internal product squads, acting as trusted advisers to solve complex database challenges through open communication and shared problem-solving. Through daily standups and regular technical collaboration, team members learn from one another while supporting continuous delivery across our database platforms. The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on

- Managing and optimising day-to-day operations across our extensive SQL Server and SQL Server RDS database fleet.
- Planning and executing end-to-end database migrations from SQL Server to Aurora Postgres RDS.
- Integrating AI tools into engineering workflows to increase efficiency in query analysis, risk identification, and proactive maintenance.
- Partnering with product development teams to consult on schema design, query tuning, and database observability using AWS tools.

Where and how you can work This role is open to applicants based in New Zealand or Australia. We offer flexible working arrangements with no formal day-to-day in-office requirement, though you will have access to our local office spaces and will be invited to gather in person for key team events and connection days throughout the year. Here are some of the things we are looking for

- Deep expertise in SQL Server and SQL Server RDS, with a strong emphasis on query analysis and performance tuning.
- Practical experience or familiarity with Aurora Postgres RDS, alongside a desire to contribute to active database migration projects.
- A pragmatic approach to technical ownership, with the capability to identify risks early and implement sustainable solutions.
- Clear communication skills that enable you to translate database complexities for product teams and collaborate effectively across disciplines.
- Curiosity and openness to leveraging AI tools to streamline routine tasks and enhance engineering productivity.

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

- [Small Business Onboarding Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/small-business-onboarding-specialist-xero-cape-town-ckyegg0g1wfz) — Cape Town, South Africa
- [Sales Development Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/sales-development-specialist-xero-melbourne-shak0pynckqn) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Customer Growth Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-growth-specialist-xero-melbourne-nttx72xfyyvx) — Melbourne, Australia
- [Account Executive](https://feeny.ai/job/account-executive-xero-auckland-24xhvx12wnte) — Auckland, New Zealand
- [SEM Senior Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sem-senior-manager-xero-brisbane-gj9tkq583dnm) — Brisbane, Australia
- [SEM Senior Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sem-senior-manager-xero-sydney-wjxe3syb7874) — Sydney, Australia
- [SEM Senior Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sem-senior-manager-xero-melbourne-38tzvghsmasf) — Melbourne, Australia
- [SEM Senior Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/sem-senior-manager-xero-auckland-94sjyamt3khc) — Auckland, New Zealand
- [Senior Product Manager - Payments & APIs](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-product-manager-payments-apis-xero-vancouver-8ars13emnqra) — Vancouver, Canada
- [Workforce Coordinator - Melio](https://feeny.ai/job/workforce-coordinator-melio-xero-auckland-3qbez4ywdksd) — Auckland, New Zealand