Engineer - Identity & Authorisation

Xero2 months ago

Location

NZ: Wellington: Xero One (19-23 Taranaki St)

Type

Full Time

Salary

NZD 110,000 – 150,000

Level

Senior

Role

Backend Engineer

Posted

Jan 11, 2026

Full TimeSenior

The role

Summary

Xero is seeking a skilled Backend Engineer specializing in Identity and Authorization systems to enhance the company's core authentication infrastructure. The ideal candidate will develop secure, scalable authentication solutions that enable seamless system integrations while maintaining high performance and security standards across Xero's global platform.

What you'll do

Authentication System Development: Upgrade and refactor core identity system and token authentication protocols to improve efficiency and security

System Integration: Develop and maintain secure system-to-system and third-party embedding solutions

Performance Optimization: Ensure authentication systems remain performant and scalable across Xero's global platform

Security Compliance: Support global security initiatives and maintain high standards of system integrity

Technical Collaboration: Provide tools and guidance for internal product teams to integrate with the identity platform

What we look for

Technical

Backend DevelopmentProven experience in backend development, particularly with .NET and C#

Distributed SystemsStrong understanding of distributed system architecture and design

Authentication ProtocolsExpertise in implementing secure authentication mechanisms

Education

Computer ScienceBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field

Equivalent ExperienceEquivalent practical experience may be considered in lieu of formal education

Experience

Backend EngineeringMinimum 3-5 years of professional backend development experience

Security SystemsExperience with building secure, scalable authentication systems

Skills

Required skills

.NETStrong backend development skills with .NET framework

C#Proficient in C# programming language

Distributed SystemsExperience building secure and scalable distributed systems

Authentication ProtocolsDeep understanding of token-based authentication and security mechanisms

Nice to have

Security EngineeringBackground in security-focused system design and implementation

System IntegrationExperience with third-party application integrations

ComplianceUnderstanding of global security and compliance standards

Compensation & benefits

Salary

NZD 110,000 – 150,000 (annual)

Benefits

Remote Work

Flexible work arrangements with support for remote work across New Zealand

Collaborative Environment

Opportunity to work with a mission-critical platform and collaborative engineering team

Professional Growth

Environment that encourages continuous learning and technical excellence

Technical Impact

Ability to contribute to and influence core security and authentication systems

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Resume and background review by Xero recruitment team
2
Technical Phone Screen — Initial discussion of technical skills and background with engineering manager
3
Technical Interview — In-depth technical assessment of .NET, C#, and distributed systems knowledge
4
System Design Challenge — Evaluate candidate's approach to designing secure authentication systems
5
Final Interview — Cultural fit and team alignment discussion with team members