Senior Applied Scientist

The role / impact

As a Senior Applied Scientist, you will research and implement generative AI solutions that simplify the daily lives of our small business customers. You will have a direct impact on how people interact with Xero by shaping the next generation of intuitive, AI-powered experiences that turn complex workflows into seamless tasks.

Your work involves continuously evaluating generative AI reasoning and accuracy while improving results through hybrid approaches that combine cutting-edge large language models with classical machine learning methods. By translating business problems into technical formulations, you will deliver tangible outcomes across the full accounting domain.

The team / how they connect

You will join the XAIN AI North America team, a group of approximately 30 specialists dedicated to AI product research and development. We are a fully remote team spread across North America with a main focus on the west coast, that stays connected through daily collaboration on Slack and Google Meet, while maintaining close ties with our global colleagues in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

The team is currently working on / Initially, you will focus on

• Building and deploying generative AI solutions using cutting-edge LLM APIs to enhance the customer experience.

• Developing hybrid systems that combine state-of-the-art generative AI with classical machine learning techniques to ensure accuracy and reliability.

• Scaling ML systems from initial design and training through to production monitoring and evaluation.

• Collaborating with internal product and engineering teams to refine loosely defined problems into clear research directions.

Where and how you can work

This role is part of a fully remote team in California, with a primary concentration of team members on the West Coast. You will have the flexibility to work from home while engaging in high-impact collaboration through digital tools to stay connected with our global community.

Here are some of the things we are looking for

• You bring strong theoretical and practical knowledge of machine learning, including solid foundations in probability, linear algebra, and calculus.

• Your background includes hands-on experience applying natural language processing or computer vision techniques to solve real-world product challenges.

• You possess the ability to write testable, maintainable, and reusable code, ideally using Python, while following solid software engineering fundamentals.

• You have a proven track record of using state-of-the-art large language models and staying current with scientific literature.

• A talent for explaining complex technical concepts to partners in product, design, and engineering comes naturally to you.

• You demonstrate a customer-focused mindset and the ability to operate effectively through ambiguity and change.

Apply even if your experience isn't a perfect match! At Xero, we hire based on your skills, passion, and the unique perspective you can bring to enhance our culture and team

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 California is $190,000 - $215,000 USD

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.