remote
Principal Engineer - API Platform - Xero
Software Engineer
Lead the technical vision for a high‑performance, secure API platform that powers millions of small‑business users and partners, driving innovation across the ecosystem with modern cloud and microservices architecture.
About the role
Key Responsibilities
- Define and own the long‑term technical strategy for the Platform API, ensuring alignment with product and partner needs.
- Architect and deliver scalable, secure REST and GraphQL endpoints that expose core accounting capabilities to external partners and internal teams.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to set API standards, governance, and best practices, including versioning, documentation, and monitoring.
- Drive performance optimization, reliability, and security across the API stack, leveraging AWS services and modern DevOps practices.
- Mentor and influence senior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
Requirements
- 10+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on API design and microservices.
- Deep expertise in REST, GraphQL, and API security (OAuth, JWT, rate limiting).
- Proven track record building high‑scale, cloud‑native services on AWS.
- Strong leadership skills, able to guide technical direction and mentor peers.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of translating complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders.