Technical grad program | 2026 grad program
Technical grads complete three 4-month rotations over 12 months, working with teams across the business in their chosen field.
What is the technical grad program?
If you want to embark on a career as a software engineer, or security analyst the technical grad program is the place for you.
Each rotation has learning outcomes designed to maximise the benefit you get from the teams you’re embedded in, ensuring you’re ready to hit the ground running at the end of the program.
Throughout the entire year, you’ll get the chance to diversify your skills, meet new people and better understand how the business operates. You’ll also have opportunities to work on a wide range of products in a variety of capacities, including full stack, front-end, back-end, mobile, and data reliability.
To aid with your development and provide meaningful support during this crucial year, you’ll have a dedicated manager, a buddy in each team you rotate through, and an awesome grad network.
To register your interest and to be notified when applications open, please send us an email to gradcareers@xero.com.
Graduate software engineers
Graduate engineers work with front-end and back-end teams, enhancing functionality, new feature innovation, site and data reliability, architecture, and more.
Graduate security analyst
As a graduate security analyst at Xero, you'll collaborate with teams to monitor and respond to security events while developing your skills in delivering quality software. You'll learn to make data-driven decisions to enhance security and solve customer problems.
Grad and intern program application process
Applicants for the grad program must have fewer than 12 months professional working experience in relevant industries, either have the right to work full-time in New Zealand or will be eligible to work full-time after graduating, and be able to start full-time in February 2026. If you’re a current or past university student applying for a role in your field of study, you’ll need to provide a copy of your transcript. You’ll also need to send your CV, but only so we can use it to verify your eligibility. If you’re applying for an internship, you must be in your penultimate year of study in your chosen field and be available for full-time work from November 2025 through to February 2026.
Applicants for the grad program must have fewer than 12 months professional working experience in relevant industries, either have the right to work full-time in New Zealand or will be eligible to work full-time after graduating, and be able to start full-time in February 2026. If you’re a current or past university student applying for a role in your field of study, you’ll need to provide a copy of your transcript. You’ll also need to send your CV, but only so we can use it to verify your eligibility. If you’re applying for an internship, you must be in your penultimate year of study in your chosen field and be available for full-time work from November 2025 through to February 2026.
You’ll be invited to complete both a behavioural and a technical assessment. For roles in the technical program, the technical assessment is a HackerRank test which helps us understand your current range and level of skills – you can practise the test beforehand. For the design program, there’s a multiple-choice skills test to help us understand your level of technical knowledge.
Practise the HackerRank testYou’ll be invited to complete both a behavioural and a technical assessment. For roles in the technical program, the technical assessment is a HackerRank test which helps us understand your current range and level of skills – you can practise the test beforehand. For the design program, there’s a multiple-choice skills test to help us understand your level of technical knowledge.
Practise the HackerRank testNext, 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 with an outcome regardless of the decision.
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 with an outcome regardless of the decision.
The grad day is a half-day virtual event where you’ll be assessed across different activities. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about Xero and the grad program.
The grad day is a half-day virtual event where you’ll be assessed across different activities. You’ll also have an opportunity to learn more about Xero and the grad program.
Application basics and tips
It’s not all about your grades – we want to know who you are and what you’re passionate about. We live by our values, so show us if and how you resonate with those.
See our valuesIt’s not all about your grades – we want to know who you are and what you’re passionate about. We live by our values, so show us if and how you resonate with those.
See our valuesIt makes no difference when you send in your application as long as it’s before the closing date. Every eligible applicant is given the same opportunity to go through the assessment process and we’ll process all applications once the application date has closed.
It makes no difference when you send in your application as long as it’s before the closing date. Every eligible applicant is given the same opportunity to go through the assessment process and we’ll process all applications once the application date has closed.
To keep our process fair for everyone who applies, we can’t accept any applications past the application close date.
To keep our process fair for everyone who applies, we can’t accept any applications past the application close date.
Cover letters are not a part of Xero’s graduate recruitment process. We’ll find out everything we need through the application process.
Cover letters are not a part of Xero’s graduate recruitment process. We’ll find out everything we need through the application process.
If you’re applying from overseas, please get in touch with the grad team to discuss your options in more detail.
Email usIf you’re applying from overseas, please get in touch with the grad team to discuss your options in more detail.
Email usThe entire Xero grad recruitment process is online, with a virtual assessment centre as the last stage, so you won’t need to travel.
The entire Xero grad recruitment process is online, with a virtual assessment centre as the last stage, so you won’t need to travel.
Got more questions?
Check out the FAQ page for details about the grad programs and answers to some common questions.
Get the inside story at a grad event
Come along to one of our virtual or face-to-face events to meet some past grads and our grad team, and get a true understanding of life at Xero.
“The grad program is designed for learning. You don’t need to be a brilliant developer right away, because we’re here to learn the skills we need and try out different areas.”
Kaia Costanza-Van Den Belt | Graduate engineer
Kaia Costanza-Van Den Belt | Graduate engineer