# Engineering Manager **Company:** [Xero](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/xero) Xero is seeking an Engineering Manager in Melbourne to lead high-performing software engineering teams, focusing on driving product delivery, technical excellence, and AI-native workflows. The ideal candidate will champion engineering efficiency, mentor top talent, and balance technical innovation with business outcomes in a collaborative, hybrid work environment. **Role:** Engineering Manager **Seniority:** Manager **Locations:** AU: Melbourne: (260 Burwood Rd) **Salary:** 180000–250000 AUD [Apply](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/xero/a547298d-33a5-45bc-ba01-d0787ac3e51b) Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/jobs/xero/engineering-manager-a547298d --- ## Responsibilities - Team Leadership: Lead and develop high-performing engineering teams, focusing on trust, transparency, and diverse perspectives - AI Engineering Innovation: Champion AI integration across the entire software development lifecycle to drive efficiency gains - Technical Modernization: Drive high engineering throughput by improving system architecture, code quality, and decoupling legacy systems - Developer Experience: Identify and eliminate complexity barriers, reducing technical toil and improving development environments - System Health Management: Scale system visibility and ensure actionable insights into product status and technical debt ## Requirements ### education - {"name":"Computer Science","description":"Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field preferred"} ### technical - {"name":"Software Architecture","description":"Comprehensive understanding of modern software design principles"} - {"name":"Technical Modernization","description":"Ability to guide teams through complex system upgrades and architectural improvements"} ### experience - {"name":"Engineering Management","description":"5+ years of experience in software engineering management roles"} - {"name":"Delivery Leadership","description":"Proven track record of delivering complex software roadmaps in agile environments"} ## Skills ### required - {"name":"Agile Leadership","description":"Proven ability to manage software delivery in agile environments with complex dependencies"} - {"name":"Technical Architecture","description":"Deep understanding of software architecture and system modernization strategies"} - {"name":"Team Development","description":"Experience in coaching, mentoring, and supporting engineer career progression"} - {"name":"Cross-functional Collaboration","description":"Strong skills in building partnerships across Product and Design teams"} ### preferred - {"name":"AI Engineering","description":"Experience integrating AI workflows across software development lifecycle"} - {"name":"Cloud Platform Expertise","description":"Background in cloud-based software platforms and scalable system design"} - {"name":"Decentralized Decision Making","description":"Proven track record of empowering teams and making rapid, distributed decisions"} ## Tech stack ### tools - {"name":"AI Development Tools","description":"Tools for integrating AI into software development processes"} ### others - {"name":"Cloud Infrastructure","description":"Understanding of cloud infrastructure and scalable system design"} ### databases - {"name":"Cloud Databases","description":"Experience with cloud-based database systems"} ### languages - {"name":"Multiple Languages","description":"Tech stack agnostic, open to various programming languages"} ### frameworks - {"name":"Agile Methodologies","description":"Strong background in agile software development practices"} ## Benefits ### benefits - {"name":"Hybrid Work Model","description":"Flexible working arrangement with options to work from home and collaborate in modern office spaces"} - {"name":"Professional Development","description":"Strong focus on career progression, mentorship, and continuous learning opportunities"} - {"name":"Inclusive Culture","description":"Commitment to diversity, transparency, and creating an environment where unique perspectives are valued"} ## Compensation - **max:** 250000 - **min:** 180000 - **currency:** AUD - **stockOptions:** true ## Interview process ### steps - {"name":"Initial Screening","description":"Phone or video call with recruiting team to discuss background and initial fit"} - {"name":"Technical Leadership Interview","description":"In-depth discussion of engineering management experience, leadership philosophy, and technical expertise"} - {"name":"Team Fit Interview","description":"Meeting with potential team members and cross-functional partners to assess collaborative potential"} - {"name":"Final Executive Interview","description":"Conversation with senior engineering leadership to align on strategic vision and leadership approach"} ## Full description ## The role / impact As an Engineering Manager, you will drive the delivery of high-quality software by leading high-performing, inclusive teams. You won’t just manage the work; you will act as a technical anchor, maintaining an informed opinion on system health and code quality while ensuring your team’s roadmap is delivered predictably. Your impact is defined by a delicate balance of driving product delivery velocity and upholding operational excellence. You will guide your team to hone their engineering craft, championing AI-native workflows and resolving complex technical challenges to deliver outcomes that align with business and customer goals. ## **The team / how they connect** You will lead a coordinated team where building trust through transparency and seeking diverse perspectives are core to how we work. By collaborating closely with cross-functional partners in Product and Design, you will resolve dependencies early and ensure your engineers have a sustainable environment to do their best work. The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on * Championing AI Engineering by encouraging the team to inject AI across the entire SDLC to drive efficiency gains. * Driving high engineering throughput through strong architecture, code quality, and decoupling legacy systems. * Elevating the Developer Experience by identifying and removing the "complexity tax," such as toil and brittle environments. * Scaling system health and visibility to ensure product status and technical debt are actionable and discoverable. You can find out more about the different engineering teams we hire for at Xero [here](https://careers.xero.com/our-teams/engineering/). ## **Where and how you can work** This role can be based in Melbourne or Sydney, 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 are looking for** * You bring a proven track record of delivering software roadmaps in agile environments while managing complex dependencies. * A deep understanding of software architecture and the ability to guide teams through technical modernisation is something you possess. * You have a passion for providing high support through coaching, mentoring, and advocating for the career progression of your engineers. * Your approach to leadership involves making fast, decentralised decisions and empowering your team to take ownership. * You possess the ability to lead through influence, building strong partnerships across Product and Design to align on shared goals. * A bias for action is part of your DNA, allowing you to proactively redirect focus when work isn't moving the needle on business outcomes. 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. We are also tech stack agnostic, so please apply if you've worked with adjacent technologies.