Senior Frontend Engineer (Graphics & WebGL) - Photo AI

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country London / United Kingdom

About the Role

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design at Canva's Photo AI team in London. We're seeking a Senior Frontend Engineer (Graphics & WebGL) to push the boundaries of photo editing, delivering cutting-edge AI-powered effects that empower millions of users. Based in our vibrant Shoreditch campus, you'll work in a hybrid model, collaborating with backend, ML engineers, product managers, and designers to own end-to-end photo editing experiences. Dive into complex challenges like optimising WebGL rendering for real-time AI effects, building intuitive components, and ensuring seamless integration across Canva's platform – all while embodying our innovative, collaborative culture. In this role, you'll solve performance-critical problems, mentor teammates, and drive technical decisions that make Canva a leader in Visual AI. Expect to leverage modern TypeScript, React, MobX, and graphics technologies like WebGL/WebGPU to create magical, responsive editing tools. Our cross-functional team thrives on setting ambitious goals, inventing novel solutions to image processing challenges, and delivering high-impact features that transform users' creative journeys. Canva's design-focused culture celebrates bold innovation, user empathy, and teamwork. You'll enjoy equity packages, inclusive parental leave, flexible options, and perks like our Vibe & Thrive allowance, home-cooked meals, and inspiring workspaces. If you have deep frontend graphics expertise and a passion for making complex tech feel simple and delightful, join us to create moments of magic for creators worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Solve complex performance challenges by optimising rendering, state management, and user interactions for AI-assisted image editing effects
• Integrate cutting-edge photo editing effects into Canva’s Photo editor
• Collaborate with design and product teams to translate UX requirements into elegant technical solutions
• Build performant Frontend components that integrate seamlessly within Canva’s photo editing ecosystem
• Work with WebGL for custom rendering and advanced TypeScript patterns for type-safe state management
• Mentor and collaborate with engineers, sharing knowledge on complex frontend patterns and best practices
• Drive technical alignment across teams through clear communication of frontend decisions
• Contribute to architectural discussions ensuring Photo AI initiatives integrate with Canva's platform
• Lead inception, scoping, and building of cutting-edge photo editing effects
• Implement capabilities used by millions of Canva users monthly

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 optimisation including rendering, memory management, and real-time interactions
• Proven 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
• Experience working with WebGL, WebGPU, WebAssembly, web workers, and MobX
• Ability to collaborate effectively with designers, product managers, and engineers

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience mentoring junior engineers and establishing frontend best practices
• Background in AI-assisted image editing or photo manipulation tools
• Familiarity with integrating machine learning models into frontend experiences
• Contributions to open-source graphics or WebGL projects
• Experience driving technical alignment across cross-functional teams

Required Skills

• JavaScript/TypeScript expertise
• React framework proficiency
• WebGL and Canvas rendering
• WebGPU and WebAssembly
• MobX or similar state management
• Performance optimisation techniques
• Memory management for graphics applications
• Complex UI state management (undo/redo)
• Real-time user interaction handling
• Data structures and algorithms
• Scalable software architecture
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Clear technical communication
• Mentoring and knowledge sharing
• Creative problem-solving
• User experience focus

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 at Canva's vibrant London campus in Shoreditch
• Delicious home-cooked meals from our Head Chef
• Varied workspaces for team collaboration and focused work
• Regular team events and community gatherings

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.