---
title: 'Senior Security Engineer - Defence at Xero'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-security-engineer-defence-xero-auckland-wc5edrfbx4t4'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-19'
---

# Senior Security Engineer - Defence at Xero

- **Company:** [Xero](https://feeny.ai/companies/xero)
- **Location:** Auckland, New Zealand
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** hybrid
- **Posted:** 2026-08-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-19
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xero/f864bae7-8238-4123-9251-24d2e7fd63da

## Job description

## The role / impact

As a Senior Engineer in Security Defence, you'll design, build and operate the capabilities that help Xero detect and respond to security threats. You'll work across Security Operations, Security Response, CX, Product and Engineering, turning threat intelligence and security requirements into reliable, measurable security controls that keep our customers and our business safe. You'll lead complex technical work, help shape our engineering direction, and build a culture of shared ownership and continuous learning across Security Defence and the wider Security team. It's a role for people who like to Go Bold on hard problems, backed by a team that knows how to Go Fast and figure things out together.

The team / how they connect Security Defence sits at the centre of how Xero detects, investigates and responds to threats. The team covers detection engineering and security automation, working closely with Security Operations, Security Response and Product Engineering to turn intelligence into practical controls. It's a close knit group that shares knowledge openly, challenges assumptions constructively, and backs each other through high pressure moments.

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

- Detection, monitoring and response workflows across SIEM, SOAR, EDR and cloud security platforms
- Automation that reduces manual toil and speeds up how Security Operations respond to threats
- Ways to measure detection coverage, control effectiveness and operational reliability
- Safe, valuable ways to bring automation and AI into security engineering

Where and how you can work This role can be based in Auckland or Wellington, offering a hybrid working model that balances local team presence with a global scope of work. You will have the flexibility to work from home while connecting with your colleagues in our modern office spaces during designated boost days.

Here are some of the things we're looking for

- You bring hands on experience designing, building and operating production security capabilities or services.
- Your programming or scripting skills, ideally in Python, help you apply sound software engineering practices to security problems.
- Security monitoring, detection, threat intelligence, incident response and automation are all areas you know well, alongside tools such as SIEM, SOAR, EDR or cloud security platforms.
- Working in cloud environments feels natural to you, particularly AWS, along with cloud logging, identity, networking and security services.
- You understand adversary behaviours and frameworks like MITRE ATT&CK, and know how to measure detection coverage and control effectiveness.
- Leading complex technical initiatives and influencing outcomes without relying on formal authority comes naturally, and you can explain technical risk and trade offs with clarity.

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/)

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