Software Engineer - Database

JobSpace; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Xero is looking for a Software Engineer focused on database reliability. The role blends software development with platform reliability to keep our database platform healthy, resilient, and performant for millions of users.

You will build internal tooling, improve fleet management, and strengthen observability across our backend systems. A collaborative, mentoring mindset and experience with .NET/C#, AWS, and SQL-based platforms are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience with .NET, C#, and AWS environments.
• Practical knowledge of SQL Server, Amazon RDS, or PostgreSQL.
• Ability to build scalable backend tools and automate processes.
• Strong observability, performance tuning, and production issue response.
• Ability to design resilient software and leverage AI tools to optimise workflows.
• Collaborative mindset with willingness to mentor peers.

Responsibilities

• Keep Xero's database platform healthy, resilient, and performant.
• Build internal tooling to improve fleet management and developer efficiency.
• Monitor performance, observability, and investigate production issues.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to scale backend systems and ensure reliability.
• Integrate AI into workflows to enhance engineering quality and productivity.

Skills

.NET / C#

AWS environments

Backend software engineering

Observability & performance tuning

AI tools in workflows

Mentoring peers

Education

Tools

SQL Server

Amazon RDS

PostgreSQL

Git

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Join Xero's Database Reliability Team as a software engineer with a focus on database reliability. In this role, your time will be split roughly 50% on software engineering and 50% on database reliability, building internal tooling that improves fleet management and makes managing Xero's database platform more efficient.

You will keep the platform healthy, resilient, and performant by monitoring performance, improving observability, and investigating production issues before they affect users. Your work will strengthen the underlying platform supporting engineering teams across Xero, directly shaping a fast, reliable experience for millions of global customers.

You will join a fun, collaborative team that owns the database platform powering Xero's core products. The team shares knowledge, solves complex technical challenges together, and works alongside engineering teams across Xero to ensure backend systems scale smoothly as demand grows. Together, they focus on continuously improving platform reliability and integrating modern engineering practices, including AI-driven workflows.

The team is currently working on:

• Evolution of the database platform, migrating from self-managed SQL Server to Amazon RDS and transitioning towards PostgreSQL.
• Internal tooling enhancements to streamline fleet management, automate processes, and boost developer efficiency.
• Platform observability and performance engineering to identify bottlenecks, support load balancing, and improve resilience.
• Integration of AI tools into daily workflows to enhance engineering quality and productivity.

At Xero, we offer flexible working arrangements tailored to support productivity and connection. You can work using a hybrid setup with dedicated boost days in the office to collaborate in person with your team, supported by modern remote working facilities.

Here are some of the things we're looking for:

• Experience across.NET, C#, and AWS environments, or strong proficiency in backend software engineering with a language-agnostic mindset.
• Practical knowledge of database platforms like SQL Server, Amazon RDS, or PostgreSQL, paired with a drive to expand into platform engineering.
• Expertise in building scalable backend tools, writing clean code, and automating manual processes.
• A strong grasp of system observability, database performance tuning, and responding to production issues.
• Capability to design resilient software solutions while leveraging modern development tools, including AI tools, to optimise workflows.
• A collaborative mindset with a passion for continuous learning, sharing knowledge, and mentoring peers.