Senior Machine Learning Engineer - AI Effects and Editing

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country Beijing / China

About the Role

Join Canva's innovative Engineering team in Beijing as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer - AI Effects and Editing, where you'll power the next generation of video effects and intelligent editing tools. As part of the Video team within the Design Experience Supergroup, you'll design, fine-tune, and deploy cutting-edge ML models that bring real-time AI magic to millions of users worldwide. From on-device capabilities using MediaPipe and CoreML to scalable backend pipelines, you'll transform research breakthroughs into seamless, delightful features that empower creators to tell compelling visual stories. In this role, you'll prototype novel effects with diffusion models, computer vision, and shaders, while collaborating closely with designers and engineers in our fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment. Your expertise in LoRA training, model quantisation, and graphics APIs will ensure buttery-smooth performance across mobile and web. At Canva, we celebrate creativity and innovation, and you'll thrive by balancing deep technical work with user-focused iteration to shape the future of multimedia creation. What sets this role apart is Canva's design-first culture: here, ML engineers aren't just coders—they're storytellers who bridge AI research with intuitive product experiences. You'll learn to ship at scale, influence intelligent creative tools, and grow alongside a passionate team dedicated to making design accessible to everyone. If you have a background in computer graphics or vision and a passion for real-time VFX, join us to make a global impact from our Beijing hybrid office.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, fine-tune, and deploy ML models for AI-powered visual effects across image and video modalities
• Build robust pipelines for LoRA-based model training, post-training quantization, and inference optimisation
• Develop and integrate on-device ML capabilities for mobile runtime efficiency
• Scale backend services for effect model serving, asset management, and real-time rendering
• Prototype novel AI effects using diffusion models, computer vision, and shader-driven approaches
• Work closely with design and engineering teams to transform creative ideas into user-facing features
• Stay informed on emerging trends in generative ML, real-time graphics, and VFX workflows
• Bridge research and production to deliver delightful, real-time video editing experiences
• Collaborate cross-functionally to innovate within Canva's intelligent creative tools
• Optimise models for performance in Canva's design-focused, user-centric applications

Required Qualifications

• Academic or practical background in computer graphics, computer vision, or computer animation
• Proven experience fine-tuning and deploying computer vision models for real-time or streaming use cases
• Hands-on skills with LoRA training, model post-processing (quantization, pruning), and on-device inference optimisation
• Proficiency in backend development (e.g., Python, Go) and model-serving architectures
• Practical knowledge of computer graphics APIs (OpenGL/OpenGLES) and shader development (GLSL/HLSL)
• Full proficiency in English communications
• Experience integrating image/video ML models into visual or rendering pipelines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AI effect tools, video post-production, or multimedia ML use cases
• Familiarity with generative models (GAN, VAE) or mobile image processing
• Background in numerical methods, geometric processing, physical simulation, or character animation
• Experience with on-device ML frameworks (MediaPipe, CoreML, NNAPI)

Required Skills

• Computer vision model fine-tuning and deployment
• LoRA training and model optimisation techniques
• On-device ML inference (MediaPipe, CoreML, NNAPI)
• Backend development (Python, Go)
• Model-serving architectures
• Computer graphics APIs (OpenGL/OpenGLES)
• Shader programming (GLSL/HLSL)
• Diffusion models and generative AI
• Real-time graphics and VFX workflows
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Rapid prototyping and iteration
• Research-to-production mindset
• English communication proficiency
• Creative problem-solving in design contexts
• Video/image processing pipelines

Benefits

• Hybrid work model in Beijing, blending collaboration and flexibility
• Competitive salary and equity in a high-growth tech company
• Comprehensive health insurance and wellness programs
• Generous parental leave and family support benefits
• Unlimited PTO with a focus on work-life balance
• Learning stipend for conferences, courses, and professional growth
• Free Canva Pro and access to cutting-edge design tools
• Team offsites, social events, and a vibrant company culture
• Relocation support for top talent joining our China team

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.