Senior Frontend Engineer (Graphics & WebGL) m/f/x - Photo AI

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country Vienna / Austria

About the Role

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design at Canva's Photo AI team in Vienna, Austria. We're seeking a Senior Frontend Engineer (Graphics & WebGL) to push the boundaries of what's possible in photo editing, delivering cutting-edge AI-assisted effects that empower millions of creators. As part of our innovative European operations, you'll work in a hybrid environment, collaborating cross-functionally with Backend, ML engineers, Product Managers, and Designers to own end-to-end experiences in Canva's Photo Editor. Our mission is to make Canva the leader in Visual AI through novel solutions to complex image processing challenges, all while maintaining our design-focused, user-centric culture. In this role, you'll solve intricate performance challenges by optimizing WebGL rendering, state management, and real-time interactions to create intuitive, powerful image editing tools. You'll leverage modern TypeScript, React, and cutting-edge web technologies like WebGPU and WebAssembly to build components that integrate seamlessly across Canva's platform. Expect to mentor teammates, drive architectural decisions, and communicate complex frontend concepts to stakeholders, ensuring AI innovations enhance the creative journey for every user. You'll thrive if you bring deep expertise in graphics programming, performance optimization, and collaborative problem-solving, paired with a passion for creative tools. Our team sets ambitious goals, dives into the unknown, and delivers high-impact features through focused innovation. At Canva, we celebrate diverse skills and backgrounds, offering equity, flexible benefits, and a supportive culture that balances hard work with moments of magic and connection. Help us reimagine photo editing—apply today!

Key Responsibilities

• Solve complex performance challenges by optimizing WebGL rendering, state management, and user interactions for AI-assisted image editing effects
• Integrate cutting-edge photo editing effects seamlessly into Canva's Photo Editor
• Collaborate with design and product teams to translate UX requirements into elegant, intuitive technical solutions
• Build performant Frontend components using advanced TypeScript patterns and WebGL for custom rendering
• Contribute to the broader photo editing ecosystem with reusable, high-quality components
• Mentor and collaborate with engineers, sharing knowledge on complex frontend patterns and best practices
• Drive technical alignment by communicating frontend decisions to stakeholders and participating in architectural discussions
• Work cross-functionally with Backend, ML engineers, Product Managers, and Designers to own end-to-end photo editing experiences
• Implement features used by millions of Canva users monthly, focusing on innovation and user impact
• Push boundaries of Visual AI to position Canva as a leader in photo editing technology

Required Qualifications

• Strong commercial experience building complex frontend applications using modern JavaScript/TypeScript and React
• Experience with image and media technologies including canvas/WebGL rendering and creative tools
• Deep understanding of performance optimization including rendering, memory management, and real-time interactions
• Experience with complex UI state management systems including undo/redo and real-time updates
• Solid computer science fundamentals in data structures, algorithms, and scalable software architecture
• Proven ability to collaborate with designers, product managers, and engineers
• Experience working with WebGL, WebGPU, WebAssembly, web workers, or similar technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring junior engineers and establishing frontend best practices
• Background in AI-assisted creative tools or photo editing applications
• Familiarity with MobX or advanced state management patterns
• Contributions to open-source graphics or WebGL projects
• Experience driving technical alignment across cross-functional teams

Required Skills

• JavaScript/TypeScript expertise
• React advanced patterns
• WebGL and canvas rendering
• Performance optimization techniques
• State management (MobX or equivalent)
• WebGPU/WebAssembly experience
• Web workers for complex computations
• Image/media processing technologies
• Undo/redo system implementation
• Real-time UI updates
• Data structures and algorithms
• Scalable software architecture
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Technical communication skills
• User experience focus
• Mentoring and knowledge sharing

Benefits

• Equity packages to share in Canva's success
• Inclusive parental leave policy supporting all parents and carers
• Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing, social connection, and office setup
• Flexible leave options to recharge and support personal needs
• Hybrid work model in Vienna, Austria with choice in work-life balance
• Part of Canva's European AI operations driving innovative Visual AI products
• Collaborative culture focused on innovation, impact, and user-centric design
• Competitive salary starting at EUR 80,000 based on experience and market data

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.