Xero New Zealand
Graduate Design Researcher (Feb 2026)
Wellington
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- NZD 75,000 - 81,000 / Year
- Employee Share Program, insurance benefits, a range of leave options + more
- 1-3 vacancies
- Apply by 20 Apr 2025
- Start date 15 Feb 2026
The role
As a design research graduate, you will research, analyse and share insights about attitudes and behaviours of people that use Xero, as well as those who don’t yet but might in the future.
You’ll learn about people’s lives outside of their interactions with Xero, and observe their experience using Xero. You’ll identify where people get stuck and why. You’ll help the wider business focus on the most critical user problems and opportunities that we can address – then help to inform the most delightful and effective experiences.
As a graduate design researcher, you’ll develop research plans, conduct studies, analyse results, and report back actionable findings. You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your skills in a wide range of research methods including deep-dive interviews, concept and usability testing, surveys, and more. Throughout the research process, you’ll be working collaboratively with people from research, design, engineering and product in cross-functional teams.
What we’d like to see from you
You’ll be a great listener and able to put yourself in other people’s shoes. You’ll have an analytical side and a knack for crafting beautiful user experiences.
We’re looking for applicants with a degree in a relevant field such as design, anthropology, psychology, or any field with a research focus.
Ideally, you’ll:
- be an excellent communicator and team player
- be a problem solver who can take a logical, analytical approach while being user-focused
- be a creative, agile, motivated and passionate person
- like to question the status quo and take initiative
If this sounds like you, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.
Pre-register now and we will let you know once this opportunity opens!
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- New Zealand Citizen +more
- Creative Arts +more
- Associate Degree or higher
Reviews
I am a grad so I'm continuously learning new skills which is awesome and i've really enjoyed the challenge so far. I work alongside my team everyday to try and accomplish the goals we have.
I am mostly here to spend my graduate year learning about Xero's processes and tools so that I can perform efficiently in the future.
Conduct research studies: interviews, create screeners, write interview guides, generate findings to inform design decisions. Support senior researchers in complex studies.
About the employer
Xero New Zealand
4.5
1,000 - 50,000 employees
Technology
Our purpose is to make life better for people in small business, their advisers, and communities around the world.
Pros and cons of working at Xero New Zealand
Pros
The work environment is really friendly and welcoming, which makes it easy to feel comfortable to come in as a beginner and learn without being judged.
The work-life balance is really good and encouraged, which takes the stress off work in general.
It's a great place to start my career because there are a lot of opportunities for growth.
The company culture is very inclusive, warm, friendly, and human-oriented.
The company is really flexible with work hours and is happy for you to work remotely whenever.
Cons
Pay is lower than I would like.
Expectations can be unclear.
Sometimes have to take meetings at inconvenient times due to time zones.
Loads of meetings, sometimes not very useful meetings either.
Because it is a global company, sometimes we have meetings with people around the world. The timezone difference can be tiring, but it is not happening often.