Lead Engineer

Lead · Full Time

CAN: British Columbia RemoteCAD 186k – 236k3mo ago
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Role

What you'll do.

Xero is seeking a Lead Engineer in British Columbia to drive architectural improvements and scalable system design. The ideal candidate will transform complex monolithic systems, mentor engineering teams, and contribute to global engineering standards while working in a collaborative, agile environment focused on continuous learning and technical excellence.

Responsibilities

  • System Modernization: Refactor monolithic components into distributed, scalable architectures to improve system performance and reliability
  • Developer Experience Enhancement: Mature CI/CD concepts, tooling, and Test-Driven Development (TDD) practices to streamline engineering workflows
  • Technical Leadership: Make major code design decisions, contribute to global engineering standards, and mentor team members through complex technical challenges
  • Solution Architecture: Develop and implement technical solution designs that align with long-term engineering frameworks and strategic goals

Qualifications

What we look for.

Technical

  • System Architecture

    Proven experience delivering and operating complex, large-scale distributed and high-availability systems

  • Technology Adaptability

    Ability to quickly ramp up on adjacent technologies across diverse tech stacks

  • Software Design

    Strong background in designing and building high-quality software across multiple languages and tools

Education

  • Technical Qualification

    Relevant degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent professional experience

Experience

  • Engineering Leadership

    Demonstrated ability to lead major code design decisions and contribute to broader technical solutions

  • Modern Engineering Practices

    Extensive experience with automated testing, refactoring, and agile delivery methodologies

Skills

Required

  • Programming Languages

    Proficiency in C#, .NET, and modern web technologies

  • Cloud Technologies

    Strong experience with AWS and Kubernetes

  • Frontend Technologies

    Experience with React and modern JavaScript frameworks

Preferred

  • Mentorship

    Nice to have

    Proven track record of coaching and developing junior engineers

  • System Design

    Nice to have

    Advanced skills in designing scalable, distributed system architectures

Tech stack

Languages

C#.NETReact

Frameworks

Kubernetes

Tools

AWS

Other

CI/CD

Compensation

Pay and benefits.

Base·CAD 186,000 – 236,000

Equity·Stock options

Benefits

  • Variable Pay

    Performance-based commissions and potential equity compensation

  • Comprehensive Health Benefits

    World-class health, wellness, and retirement programs

  • Professional Development

    Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement

  • Hybrid Work Model

    Flexible work arrangement with options for remote and in-office collaboration

Process

Interview steps.

  1. 01

    Initial Screening

    Preliminary review of resume and qualifications by recruiting team

  2. 02

    Technical Phone Screen

    Detailed discussion of technical background, experience, and problem-solving approach

  3. 03

    Technical Interview

    In-depth technical assessment including system design and coding challenges

  4. 04

    Leadership and Culture Interview

    Evaluation of mentorship capabilities, team collaboration, and alignment with Xero's engineering culture

  5. 05

    Final Executive Interview

    Comprehensive discussion with senior engineering leadership

Full posting

Original listing.

The role / impact

You will focus on solving engineering problems at scale, moving beyond feature delivery to influence the architecture and implementation of distributed systems. By refactoring complex, monolithic systems and building high-quality, scalable software, your work ensures our platform remains robust and reliable for millions of global users.

As a senior member of the team, you will have the autonomy to make major code design decisions and contribute to global engineering standards. You will balance technical excellence with mentorship, acting as a role model and coaching others through complex technical challenges to help them grow.


The team / how they connect

You will join a collaborative environment where engineers, product owners, and designers work together using agile and delivery practices to ship meaningful code. The team prioritises continuous learning and mastery, frequently participating in code reviews and knowledge-sharing sessions to maintain a high bar for technical craft.


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

  • Modernising systems by refactoring monolithic components into distributed, scalable architectures.

  • Enhancing the developer experience through the maturation of CI/CD concepts, tooling, and TDD practices.

  • Building and maintaining a diverse tech stack that includes C#, .Net, React, AWS, and Kubernetes.

  • Developing and implementing technical solution designs that align with long-term engineering frameworks.


Where and how you can work

This role is based in our Vancouver office, where we embrace a hybrid working model. You will have the flexibility to work from home while joining the team in the office for "boost days" to collaborate, socialise, and solve complex problems in person.


Here are some of the things we are looking for

  • Proven experience delivering and operating complex, large-scale systems (distributed/high-availability environments), with strong fundamentals and the ability to ramp quickly across adjacent technologies (we’re tech-stack agnostic).

  • You bring a growth mindset and a passion for proactively maintaining and sharing technical knowledge with your peers.

  • A background in designing and building high-quality software within a range of languages and tools is essential.

  • You possess the ability to lead major code design decisions and contribute to wider technical solutioning.

  • Experience with modern engineering practices like automated testing, refactoring, and agile delivery is key to your success.

  • You enjoy mentoring other engineers and helping them grow their technical skills through supportive coaching.

  • A deep care for technical excellence and a drive to solve large-scale engineering challenges motivates your daily work.

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.

Compensation Philosophy

At Xero, we value the impact and skills you bring to the team. We don’t just hire for a role; we invest in people. We believe in a Total Package philosophy - which means your value isn't just a single number on a paycheck. While base salary is a core component, we look at your compensation through a holistic lens that includes equity, performance incentives, and world-class benefits.

The base salary range for this role in Canada is $186,000 - $236,000 CAD.

Please note that this range represents base salary only. We believe in rewarding our people for their total contribution, which is why we look at compensation through a holistic lens. In addition to base pay, your total package may include:

  • Variable Pay: Eligibility commissions or equity based on role and performance.

  • Comprehensive Benefits: World-class health, wellness, and retirement programs.

  • Xero Perks: Inside Xero Explore our full suite of benefits, from wellbeing initiatives to professional development.


Individual pay is determined by various factors, including geography, level of experience, and the specific skills you bring to the role

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