Graduate security engineer

Find out what a graduate security engineer does at Xero and how you can apply for the Xero grad program.

An abstract image in shades of blue featuring overlapping shapes.

The role

The security of our product is fundamental to Xero. The security teams work with all areas of the business to ensure our systems are secure. We keep the good in and the bad out. We help engineers produce secure products, defend Xero from cyber attacks, and do everything in between.

You’ll have the opportunity to rotate within different security teams, or spend one or more rotations in our core technical program.

You’ll be self-driven, enjoy collaborating with different teams across the business, and thrive on technical challenges. All you need is an interest in security, you don’t need to have studied it.

A grad security engineer sits on a bean bag working at their laptop.

What our security engineers do

Security engineers are focused on the technical side of security at Xero and help build the foundations for ensuring our product is safe and secure.

The security engineer role will see you doing a range of jobs, including:

  • building security infrastructure
  • ensuring correct internal access management
  • helping engineers make sure their code is built with security at its core
  • building defences against external threats to our customers

What we’d like to see from you

Ideally you’ll:

  • have a passion for and express interest in the security and privacy of our customers
  • like working with servers or data, and if you like to script or write code, then that’s a great combo
  • love problem-solving, thinking on your feet, helping other people, and taking the initiative
  • enjoy investigating why things work, not just how they work
  • enjoy building solutions for other Xeros, removing pain points and making their lives easier
  • diving deep and analysing root causes of issues and potential vulnerabilities

If this sounds like you, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

How to apply

Due to the number of applications we receive, we ask that you only apply for one role in one location. Please take some time to research each opportunity available before submitting your application.

If you’re invited to a grad day, it will include technical and soft skills interviews, as well as group and individual challenges.

Applications open on 28 February 2022 and close on 29 April 2022.

Graduate security engineer: Melbourne

Apply now

The application process

You’ll progress through the application process in these stages.

Step 1: Submit CV and meet eligibility criteria

The first thing you need to do is meet the eligibility criteria.

Our eligibility criteria for the graduate program are:

  • Full-time working rights
  • Fewer than 12 months professional working experience in relevant industries
  • Availability to start full-time in February 2023

Our eligibility criteria for internships are:

  • Availability for full-time work from November 2022 through to February 2023
  • Be in your penultimate year of study in your chosen field

When you apply, your CV will only be used to verify your eligibility and won’t be used for screening purposes.

Step 2: Complete a values assessment

Once you’ve met the eligibility criteria, you’ll be invited to complete a values assessment. Find out more about Xero’s values.

Step 3: Complete behavioural and skills assessments

Then you’ll be asked to complete a behavioural assessment, which you can practice here, and a technical skills assessment (30–90 minutes).

You’ll also need to complete a HackerRank test, which you can practice here. While it’s not all about the test results, this is a language-agnostic testing platform that helps us understand what level and range of skills you currently have.

Step 4: Record a short video interview for our team

Next, you’ll be invited to pre-record a video interview for our team.

If your video interview is successful, you’ll be invited to attend a grad day.

We’ll review all applications before making a decision so you can expect to hear from us in June 2022.

Step 5: Attend the virtual grad day

The grad day is a half-day virtual event where you’ll be assessed across three different activities: an interview, a technical assessment, and a group activity. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about Xero and the grad program, and meet some previous grads.