Engineering Manager

Xero2 days ago

Location

UK: London (7 Devonshire Square)

Type

Full Time

Salary

GBP 120,000 – 180,000

Level

Manager

Role

Engineering Manager

Posted

Apr 13, 2026

Full TimeManager

The role

Summary

Xero is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team focused on modernizing architectures, embedding AI-native workflows, and driving technical excellence in a cloud-based accounting software platform. The ideal candidate will balance product delivery with team growth, technical innovation, and system health across distributed, high-scale systems.

What you'll do

Team Leadership: Lead and coach a high-performing engineering team, focusing on team growth, performance management, and capability development

Technical Strategy: Drive technical roadmap delivery, balancing short-term product goals with long-term system sustainability and operational excellence

AI and Workflow Optimization: Champion AI-native engineering workflows and implement strategies to improve developer productivity and system quality

System Architecture: Modernize architectures, improve CI/CD maturity, and refine system design for high-scale, high-availability distributed systems

Technical Debt Management: Drive visibility into system health, proactively manage technical debt, and ensure continuous improvement of engineering processes

What we look for

Technical

Distributed SystemsExtensive experience building and supporting high-scale, high-availability distributed systems

Production CodeHands-on experience writing, reviewing, and debugging production code with strong technical credibility

AI Engineering WorkflowsExperience leading AI-native engineering workflow adoption to enhance developer productivity

Education

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

Experience

Engineering LeadershipProven track record of leading, coaching, and performance-managing engineering teams

Strategic PlanningDemonstrated ability to translate business goals into executable engineering plans

Skills

Required skills

Team ManagementStrong leadership skills with ability to build high-performing, inclusive teams

Technical StrategyAbility to balance short-term delivery with long-term technical sustainability

Nice to have

Cloud TechnologiesExperience with cloud-based software platforms and distributed computing

AI IntegrationKnowledge of AI-native engineering workflows and productivity tools

Compensation & benefits

Salary

GBP 120,000 – 180,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Flexible Work

Remote, hybrid, and office-based work options with global collaboration opportunities

Professional Development

Opportunities for team growth, technical excellence, and continuous learning

Global Team Exposure

Collaboration with international teams and potential travel opportunities

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — HR review of application and initial qualifications match
2
Technical Leadership Interview — In-depth discussion of engineering management experience and leadership approach
3
Technical Challenge — Assessment of technical problem-solving and system design skills
4
Team and Culture Fit — Interviews with potential team members to evaluate collaborative potential
5
Final Executive Interview — Meeting with senior leadership to align on strategic vision and role expectations