Principal Engineer

The role / impact

As a Principal Engineer, you will be a visionary technical leader, driving the long-term architectural evolution of Xero’s global platform. You will operate at a level where your decisions impact not just a single product, but the entire engineering organisation, ensuring our systems remain resilient, scalable, and capable of supporting millions of small businesses worldwide.

You will act as a bridge between high-level business strategy and technical execution, identifying and mitigating systemic risks before they manifest. Your influence will be felt through the creation of global engineering standards and the cultivation of a world-class technical culture, where you balance deep hands-on expertise with the ability to lead and inspire the broader engineering community.

The team / how they connect

You will be part of a senior leadership collective, collaborating with executive stakeholders, product directors, and other principal engineers to define the future of our technology stack. This is a highly cross-functional role that requires building deep relationships across the global business to ensure technical alignment and to foster an environment of shared ownership and collective success.

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

• Architecting and overseeing the transition of critical global infrastructure to next-generation distributed patterns.

• Leading the technical response to large-scale, ambiguous challenges that span multiple domains and regions.

• Establishing and championing the global "golden path" for developer experience, security, and operational excellence.

• Driving the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that keep Xero at the forefront of the fintech industry.

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 lead architectural workshops, mentor senior talent, and drive strategic collaboration 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 extensive experience in leading the architectural direction for massive, complex cloud-based distributed systems.

• A proven ability to navigate high levels of ambiguity and deliver strategic technical solutions that align with long-term business goals is essential.

• You possess a high degree of emotional intelligence, allowing you to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

• Your leadership style is defined by a commitment to technical excellence and a passion for mentoring the next generation of technical leaders.

• You have a deep understanding of the entire software delivery lifecycle and how to optimise it for thousands of engineers.

• Excellent communication skills are a must, with the ability to tell a compelling story about technical strategy and its impact on our customers.

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 median base salary range for this role in Canada is $288,200 - $338,200.

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.