Lead Engineer - Payments Platform

Xero; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 186,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Performance incentives

World-class benefits

Hybrid work model

Job summary

Xero in Canada is seeking a senior backend engineer to shape the money movement foundation and unlock new product lines globally. You will design reliable, scalable, and secure services for the platform, driving operational excellence and clear business outcomes.

This early-stage initiative offers foundational architectural influence, direct production code contributions, and proofs-of-concept to solve large-scale fintech challenges for millions of subscribers.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering highly available, distributed backend systems.
• Strong understanding of system architecture and API design; SQL and NoSQL databases.
• Proficient in modern backend stacks (C#, Java, Golang, or C++) and AWS.
• Hands-on coding with production code, PoCs, and deep technical dives.
• Leadership in setting technical direction and mentoring engineers.
• Ability to translate business needs into resilient engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Designing and building payment platform capabilities such as orchestration, fraud risk, and multi-provider integration.
• Developing a global bill payment product to streamline cash flow for small businesses.
• Building core high-throughput platform services.
• Integrating AI capabilities to accelerate engineering productivity and developer workflows.

Skills

Distributed backend systems

System architecture

API design

SQL databases

NoSQL databases

C#

Java

Golang

C++

AWS

Tools

AWS

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 role is based onsite our Vancouver office, where we embrace a hybrid working model, 1-2 days in office a week. 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. We are open to ON or AB applicants who may be willing to relocate and Seattle Area, Washington US applicants (remotely).

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.

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.

Compensation Range: $186K - $236K

At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team.