Staff Backend Software Engineer - Developer Experience

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country Brisbane / Australia

About the Role

Join Canva's Engineering team in Brisbane, Australia, as a Staff Backend Software Engineer - Developer Experience, and help build the world's richest ecosystem of apps and integrations for visual design. In this hybrid, full-time role within the Ecosystem Experiences Group, you'll lead the creation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs that enable developers to rapidly build, test, and deploy high-quality apps integrating seamlessly with Canva's platform. Architect intelligent, context-aware interfaces providing real-time guidance and best practices, leveraging LLMs for innovative tooling like scaffolding, interactive docs, and in-editor suggestions. Partner cross-functionally to champion automation-first principles, ensuring exceptional developer ergonomics, scalability, and alignment with Canva's vision to supercharge a billion users' creative workflows. Our team powers the App Marketplace, Developer Portal, and SDKs, working with hundreds of developers on generative AI innovations and complex design workflows. As a Staff Engineer, you'll drive engineering strategy, mentor peers, and bring an engineering mindset to our product roadmap—solving novel challenges without known solutions, just like Software Engineer Abbie Wade describes: 'The challenges that I am solving do not have a known solution, which means I get to create and innovate each day.' Thrive in Canva's collaborative, design-focused culture where developer insights shape secure, reliable products achieving our crazy big goals. Canva's innovative spirit offers equity packages, inclusive parental leave, Vibe & Thrive allowances, flexible options, and a fun, connected work life. We're passionate about diverse skills and backgrounds—apply even if you don't match perfectly. Interviews are virtual; share your pronouns and any adjustments needed. Help redefine how the world experiences design in a supportive, high-impact environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs for seamless Canva app integrations
• Architect intelligent developer interfaces with real-time guidance, API feedback, and best practice recommendations
• Drive innovation in SDK tooling using 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 across SDK lifecycles, including self-documenting APIs and sandboxed environments
• Mentor engineers and shape the strategic vision for Canva's AI-augmented developer platform
• Build tools that simplify integration, versioning, and discovery for web and multi-platform contexts
• Contribute to the Ecosystem Experiences Group, enhancing the App Marketplace and Developer Portal
• Deliver secure, reliable products while managing trade-offs to achieve Canva's ambitious growth goals
• Translate complex platform capabilities into intuitive SDKs that developers love

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 in AI-augmented environments
• Deep expertise in TypeScript and/or Python, including modern SDK scaffolding frameworks and API design (e.g., OpenAPI)
• Experience working with LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, or open source) to enhance developer tools like intelligent docs or code suggestions
• Background in developer relations, API advocacy, or platform enablement for internal/external developers
• Strong ability to architect scalable, context-aware developer interfaces using source code, UI metadata, and behavioral signals
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional collaboration with UX, infrastructure, and product teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building multi-platform SDKs for web-based applications
• Familiarity with Canva's Apps SDK, REST APIs, or similar visual design platforms
• Contributions to open-source developer tooling or SDK ecosystems
• Mentoring experience shaping strategic direction for engineering teams
• Knowledge of automation-first principles for SDK lifecycles (changelogs, upgrade guidance, sandboxes)

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 principles
• AI-powered interfaces
• Type-safe interfaces
• Real-time feedback systems
• Developer ergonomics
• Strategic visioning

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 with choice in location across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and more
• Collaborative culture focused on innovation, magic moments, and fun
• Opportunities to redefine visual design for a billion users
• Virtual interview process with reasonable adjustments available

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.