Staff Backend Software Engineer

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Overview

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design. Our flagship campus is in Sydney with additional campuses in Melbourne and co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. You have a choice in where and how you work. Canva is looking for a Staff Backend Software Engineer to focus on Developer Experience, Ecosystems, helping developers build, test, and deploy high-quality apps that integrate with Canva.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the design and implementation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs to empower developers to rapidly build, test, and deploy apps that integrate with Canva.
• Architecting intelligent, context-aware developer interfaces that provide real-time guidance, API feedback, and best-practice recommendations.
• Driving innovation in SDK tooling using LLMs and model-centric architectures to enable intelligent scaffolding, type-safe interfaces, interactive docs, and in-editor code suggestions.
• Partnering with cross-functional teams—including UX, infrastructure, and product—to ensure SDKs and APIs deliver exceptional developer ergonomics, scalability, and alignment with Canva's platform strategy.
• Championing automation-first principles across the SDK lifecycle—self-documenting APIs, automated changelogs, upgrade guidance, and sandboxed environments.
• Mentoring engineers and shaping the strategic direction of Canva's developer platform, contributing to a vision for how AI can augment SDK and API design, testing, and consumption.

You're probably a match if

• You've led SDK or API platforms for developer ecosystems, especially in AI-augmented environments where developer velocity and ease of integration are paramount.
• You have experience building SDKs and tools that simplify integration, versioning, and discovery of capabilities across web-based and multi-platform contexts.
• You've worked with LLMs (via OpenAI, Anthropic, or open source) to improve developer experience through intelligent documentation, code summarization, or autocomplete.
• You're proficient in TypeScript and/or Python, and familiar with modern SDK scaffolding frameworks, API design conventions (e.g. OpenAPI), and developer tooling ecosystems.
• You have a background in developer relations, API advocacy, or platform enablement—helping internal and external developers succeed through thoughtful design and support.
• You thrive in collaborative, cross-functional teams, translating complex platform capabilities into intuitive, well-supported SDKs that developers love.
• You're excited about solving real-world problems with AI and building tools that bring these capabilities to developers everywhere.

About The Team

We aim to build the world's richest ecosystem of apps and integrations for visual design and communications to support Canva's growth. We work with hundreds of developers to enable access to Canva's Apps SDK and public REST API. The Ecosystem Experiences Group builds the App Marketplace, Developer Portal, and SDKs (including tooling, starter kits, examples, and docs).

As a Staff Software Engineer, you'll drive engineering strategy to deliver secure and reliable products while managing trade-offs on ambitious goals. You will engage with developers as primary customers and influence the product roadmap.

What's in it for you

We offer a range of benefits to support success at work and outside of work. This includes equity, inclusive parental leave, a wellbeing and personal support allowance, and flexible leave options.

• Equity packages - ownership of Canva's success
• Inclusive parental leave policy for all parents and carers
• Annual wellbeing and setup allowance
• Flexible leave options for recharge and personal commitments

Other information

We hire based on experience, skills, and fit. Please share pronouns and any reasonable adjustments needed during the interview process. Canva celebrates diverse skills and backgrounds. Interviews are conducted virtually.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Information Technology

Industries

• Software Development

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