Xero

Lead Engineer - Payments Platform

Xero • $206K — $260K *
US-AnywhereRemote in Washington, DC
Finance & Insurance
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in backend systems and distributed architecture
  • Proficient in API design and SQL/NoSQL databases
  • Familiar with modern backend languages (C#, Java, Golang, C++) and AWS
  • Demonstrated ability to directly contribute to production code
  • Strong leadership skills for mentoring and setting technical direction
  • Excellent problem-solving and agile execution capabilities
  • Experience in collaborating cross-functionally with Product and Design teams.

Responsibilities

  • Design and build payment platform capabilities for improved operational posture
  • Develop a global bill payment product for cash flow management
  • Create high-throughput core platform services
  • Integrate AI tools to enhance engineering productivity
  • Contribute to production code and proof-of-concepts for new features
  • Mentor engineers and help set the technical direction of the team
  • Translate complex business needs into engineering solutions.

Benefits

  • Flexible remote work options with in-person alignment days
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Generous PTO policy including 21 days of vacation and additional wellbeing leave
  • 401(k) matching contributions
  • Paid parental leave
  • Opportunity for performance-based bonuses and equity incentives
  • Support for volunteerism with a dedicated volunteer day
Full Job Description
The role / impact

In this role, you will help shape the technical foundation for money movement capabilities while unlocking new product lines globally. You will guide the design and development of reliable, scalable, performant, and secure services for the platform, ensuring operational excellence and direct business outcomes.

This is a rare chance to join an early-stage initiative, make foundational architectural decisions, and have a visible impact on the future of small businesses. By contributing directly to production code and proof-of-concepts, you will solve complex financial technology challenges at a massive scale.

The team / how they connect

The Payments Platform team is the engine powering money movement across the entire ecosystem, collaborating closely with product, security, risk, and operations. We are a highly collaborative collective that values technical excellence, inclusion, and continuous innovation. Together, we work cross-functionally to translate complex business needs into resilient engineering solutions that support millions of subscribers.

The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on
  • Designing and building out payment platform capabilities, such as orchestration, risks & fraud, multi-providers, to accelerate various payment products development and improve operational posture
  • Building out a global bill payment product to streamline how small businesses manage their cash flow
  • Developing core high-throughput platform services
  • Integrating and championing artificial intelligence capabilities to accelerate engineering productivity and enhance developer workflows

Where and how you can work

This position is open to remote applicants based within Washington State. Because this role requires close cross-functional collaboration with our teams in Australia and New Zealand, working within the Pacific time zone helps align our schedules for essential catch-ups. You will also have the flexibility to balance your remote focus with in-person connection during team alignment days and local hub events.

Here are some of the things we are looking for
  • You bring a proven track record of delivering highly available, distributed backend systems and designing high-throughput services under real-world constraints
  • A deep understanding of system architecture, API design, and both SQL and NoSQL databases is essential
  • Your background includes proficiency in modern backend stacks such as C#, Java, Golang, or C++, alongside cloud-native platforms like AWS
  • You are passionate about staying hands-on contributing directly to production code, proof-of-concepts, and technical deep dives.
  • You possess strong leadership capabilities, with a passion for setting technical direction, mentoring engineers, and fostering an inclusive culture
  • You demonstrate strong ability in breaking down complex problems into clear, actionable solutions while driving agile execution to deliver results.
  • You are a strong partner to Product, Design, and other cross-functional teams to translate complex business needs into resilient engineering solutions.
  • You are a champion of advanced usage in AI tools and practices across the team to accelerate development workflows.

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 & Total Rewards

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 paycheque. 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 expected base salary range for this role in:
  • Washington: $206,000 - $260,000 USD

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

In addition to base pay, Xero's roles are eligible for the following forms of variable compensation:
  • Variable Pay: Permanent employees are eligible to participate in our annual bonus and equity (RSU) programs. You may also be eligible for performance-based cash or equity (RSUs) incentives depending on your role level, and company performance.
  • Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match, and 21 days PTO, 10 days of Wellbeing leave, 5 days of Xtra Leave, 1 volunteer day, 12 paid holidays, paid parental leave. Further information included on our Xero Perks page.

About Xero

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software platform for small and medium-sized businesses. The company was founded in 2006 in New Zealand and has since expanded to serve customers in over 180 countries. Xero's platform allows businesses to manage their finances, including invoicing, payroll, and expenses, all in one place. The company has won numerous awards for its innovative technology and commitment to customer service.
Learn more about Xero
Size
4,784 employees
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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