Head of Engineering

Xero2 weeks ago

Location

AU: Melbourne: (260 Burwood Rd)

Type

Full Time

Salary

AUD 250,000 – 350,000

Level

Director

Role

Engineering Manager

Posted

Mar 24, 2026

Full TimeDirector

The role

Summary

A senior leadership role at Xero focused on driving engineering excellence, technical modernization, and AI-powered innovation for small business software solutions. The Head of Engineering will lead multiple engineering teams, championing strategic technical initiatives, fostering high-performance culture, and delivering impactful software that transforms small business productivity.

What you'll do

Strategic Leadership: Lead and grow multiple engineering teams within product portfolio, delivering high-quality software solutions for small business customers globally

Technical Modernization: Drive technical transformation efforts, including transitioning from monolithic architectures to decoupled services and implementing API-first integration patterns

AI and Innovation: Champion responsible AI architecture and AI-powered workflows to enhance productivity and accelerate time-to-value across engineering teams

Team Development: Define strategic hiring approaches, grow high-performing talent, and support engineering career progression

Operational Excellence: Ensure high-quality production services with strong focus on reliability, observability, and continuous improvement

What we look for

Technical

Software ArchitectureDeep understanding of software architecture, design trade-offs, and technical debt management at enterprise scale

AI TechnologiesExperience with AI architecture and workflow implementation in enterprise software environments

Cloud TechnologiesProficiency in cloud-based software platforms and microservices architecture

Education

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

Experience

Leadership ExperienceProven track record of managing and growing high-performing engineering leaders and teams

Enterprise SoftwareSignificant experience in scaling software solutions for business-critical platforms

Skills

Required skills

Strategic ThinkingAbility to identify and simplify complex cross-functional challenges in fast-scaling environments

LeadershipStrong interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, and ability to foster inclusive team cultures

Technical ManagementExpertise in managing technical debt, driving architectural improvements, and maintaining system health

Nice to have

Small Business SoftwarePrevious experience in software solutions for small business ecosystems

Cloud AccountingBackground in financial technology and cloud-based accounting platforms

Compensation & benefits

Salary

AUD 250,000 – 350,000 (annual)

Stock options

Available

Benefits

Hybrid Work

Flexible working arrangement with office collaboration and remote work options

Professional Growth

Opportunities for career progression and continuous learning in a high-performance environment

Innovative Culture

Work with cutting-edge technologies in AI, cloud computing, and enterprise software

Interview process

1
Initial Screening — Technical leadership and experience review
2
Technical Leadership Interview — In-depth discussion of architectural approach and team management philosophy
3
Executive Leadership Panel — Strategic alignment and cultural fit assessment
4
Final Interview — Comprehensive evaluation with senior leadership team