Staff Backend Software Engineer - Developer Experience

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country Melbourne / Australia

About the Role

Join Canva's Engineering team as a Staff Backend Software Engineer - Developer Experience in Melbourne, Australia, where you'll lead the charge in building the world's richest ecosystem of apps and integrations for visual design. We're empowering hundreds of developers through our Apps SDK, Canva REST API, App Marketplace, and Developer Portal, leveraging generative AI to simplify complex workflows for a billion users. In this hybrid, full-time role within the Ecosystem Experiences Group, you'll architect AI-powered SDKs and intelligent developer interfaces that deliver real-time guidance, seamless integration, and unparalleled velocity—driving Canva's MAU growth through innovative, design-focused platform capabilities. You'll lead the design of context-aware APIs drawing from source code, UI metadata, and behavioral signals, while innovating with LLMs for intelligent scaffolding, type-safe interfaces, interactive docs, and in-editor suggestions. Partnering closely with UX, infrastructure, and product teams, you'll champion automation-first principles like self-documenting APIs, automated changelogs, and sandboxed environments to reduce friction and elevate developer ergonomics. As a staff engineer, you'll mentor peers, shape our strategic vision, and bring your engineering mindset directly into our product roadmap, solving novel challenges in a collaborative culture that celebrates innovation and creativity. Canva's design-first ethos means you'll thrive if you've built SDK platforms in AI-augmented environments, excel in TypeScript/Python, and have a passion for developer relations. Our Melbourne team offers the perfect blend of big-impact work and Canva magic—think equity packages, inclusive parental leave, Vibe & Thrive allowances, flexible options, and campuses across Australia. Even if your background doesn't perfectly match, we celebrate diverse skills and invite you to join us in redefining how the world experiences design. Interviews are virtual—apply today and help supercharge our ecosystem!

Key Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs for seamless Canva app integration
• Architect intelligent, context-aware developer interfaces with real-time guidance and API feedback
• Drive innovation in SDK tooling using LLMs for scaffolding, type-safe interfaces, and in-editor code suggestions
• Partner with UX, infrastructure, and product teams to ensure exceptional developer ergonomics and scalability
• Champion automation-first principles across SDK lifecycle including self-documenting APIs and sandboxed environments
• Mentor engineers and shape strategic vision for AI-augmented SDK and API design
• Build secure, reliable products aligned with Canva's platform strategy and MAU growth goals
• Contribute engineering insights to product roadmap for developer-facing experiences
• Collaborate on App Marketplace, Developer Portal, and SDK documentation enhancements
• Optimize developer velocity through best practice recommendations and behavioral signal analysis

Required Qualifications

• Led SDK or API platforms for developer ecosystems, particularly in AI-augmented environments
• Experience building SDKs and tools that simplify integration, versioning, and discovery across web-based and multi-platform contexts
• Worked with LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic, or open source) to enhance developer experience through intelligent documentation, code summarization, or autocomplete
• Proficient in TypeScript and/or Python with familiarity in modern SDK scaffolding frameworks and API design conventions (e.g., OpenAPI)
• Background in developer relations, API advocacy, or platform enablement
• Thrives in collaborative, cross-functional teams translating complex platform capabilities into intuitive SDKs
• 10+ years of software engineering experience with proven staff-level impact

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Canva's Apps SDK or similar visual design platforms
• Knowledge of developer tooling ecosystems and sandboxed environments
• Prior work on automation-first principles for SDK lifecycles (e.g., automated changelogs, upgrade guidance)
• Mentoring experience shaping strategic direction for developer platforms
• Familiarity with Canva's ecosystem including App Marketplace and REST APIs

Required Skills

• TypeScript
• Python
• SDK development
• API design (OpenAPI)
• LLM integration (OpenAI, Anthropic)
• Developer tooling
• Platform architecture
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Mentoring and leadership
• Automation principles
• Real-time guidance systems
• Type-safe interfaces
• Interactive documentation
• Code summarization
• Developer ergonomics
• Scalable systems design
• AI-augmented development
• Visual design platform experience

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 Sydney, Melbourne, or other Australian locations
• Access to flagship campuses and co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide
• Opportunities for innovation in a collaborative, design-focused culture
• Virtual interviews and inclusive hiring process with reasonable adjustments

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.