Staff Backend Software Engineer - Developer Experience

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country Auckland / New Zealand

About the Role

Join Canva's Engineering team in Auckland, New Zealand as a Staff Backend Software Engineer - Developer Experience, where you'll lead the charge in building the world's richest ecosystem of apps and integrations for visual design. At Canva, we're empowering a billion users with innovative tools that redefine creativity, and our Developer Experience team is at the heart of this mission—crafting AI-powered SDKs, platform APIs, and intelligent tooling that make it effortless for developers worldwide to supercharge Canva apps. You'll architect context-aware interfaces that deliver real-time guidance, leverage LLMs for smart scaffolding and code suggestions, and partner cross-functionally to ensure scalability, security, and developer delight in our App Marketplace and Developer Portal. In this hybrid, full-time role within our collaborative Ecosystem Experiences Group, you'll drive automation-first principles, mentor engineers, and shape a visionary platform strategy infused with Canva's design-focused culture. Expect to innovate daily on challenges without known solutions, translating complex capabilities into intuitive SDKs that developers love—drawing from your expertise in TypeScript/Python, SDK frameworks, and AI-augmented DX. Our team thrives on magic moments, connectivity, and fun while pursuing crazy big goals like explosive MAU growth through generative AI and seamless visual workflows. Canva's innovative spirit means your impact will echo globally, with equity, flexible leave, wellbeing allowances, and a supportive culture that celebrates diverse backgrounds and pronouns. If you're passionate about AI, developer velocity, and visual communications, help us build the platform that puts creative power in every developer's hands. Check out lifeatcanva.com to see how we blend hard work with moments of pure inspiration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs for seamless Canva app integrations
• Architect intelligent, context-aware developer interfaces using source code, UI metadata, and behavioral signals
• Drive innovation in SDK tooling with LLMs for scaffolding, type-safe interfaces, interactive docs, and code suggestions
• Partner with UX, infrastructure, and product teams to ensure exceptional developer ergonomics and scalability
• Champion automation-first principles including self-documenting APIs, automated changelogs, and sandboxed environments
• Mentor engineers and shape the strategic vision for Canva’s AI-augmented developer platform
• Build secure, reliable products that support Canva’s ecosystem growth and MAU ambitions
• Collaborate on the App Marketplace, Developer Portal, and SDK ecosystem to empower global developers
• Translate complex platform capabilities into intuitive SDKs that developers love
• Contribute engineering insights to product roadmaps with a developer-centric mindset

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of software engineering experience with a focus on backend systems and developer platforms
• Proven track record leading SDK or API platforms for developer ecosystems, particularly AI-augmented environments
• Deep expertise in building SDKs and tools for web-based and multi-platform integrations
• Experience working with LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, or open source) to enhance developer tools like intelligent docs or code autocomplete
• Proficiency in TypeScript and/or Python, including modern SDK frameworks and OpenAPI conventions
• Strong background in developer relations, API advocacy, or platform enablement
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience architecting scalable platforms at consumer-facing companies with 100M+ users
• Contributions to open-source developer tools or SDKs
• Familiarity with Canva's Apps SDK, REST APIs, or similar visual design platforms
• Mentoring experience in cross-functional engineering teams
• Knowledge of model-centric architectures and AI-driven developer tooling

Required Skills

• TypeScript
• Python
• SDK development
• API design (OpenAPI)
• LLM integration (OpenAI, Anthropic)
• Developer tooling ecosystems
• Backend architecture
• Scalable platform engineering
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Mentoring and leadership
• Automation and CI/CD
• Versioning and changelog management
• Type-safe interfaces
• Real-time API feedback systems
• Developer experience (DX) optimization
• AI-driven code generation
• Problem-solving in ambiguous environments
• Passion for visual design and creative tools

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 pursue personal passions
• Hybrid work model with choice in location across Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and more
• Global team culture fostering innovation, magic, and fun
• Professional growth through mentorship and crazy big goals
• Virtual interviews and inclusive hiring celebrating diverse skills and backgrounds

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.