Hybrid Principal Engineer

at Xero

• Job title: Principal Engineer
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Lead
• Salary: CA$288,200 - CA$338,200 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Tech skills: Cloud, Distributed Systems
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Vancouver, Canada

About the role

• Principal Engineer leading architectural evolution of Xero's global platform and influencing global engineering standards. Collaborating with executive stakeholders and driving innovation in fintech.

Responsibilities

• As a Principal Engineer, you will be a visionary technical leader, driving the long-term architectural evolution of Xero’s global platform.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.