Staff Software Engineer - Developer Experience, Ecosystems (SDK, API, Python + Typescript)

Location: Team Engineering

Team: Country Sydney / Australia

About the Role

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design at Canva, where innovation meets collaboration in our vibrant Engineering team. As a Staff Software Engineer - Developer Experience, Ecosystems (SDK, API, Python + TypeScript), you'll lead the charge in building AI-powered SDKs and APIs that empower developers worldwide to create seamless apps integrating with Canva's visual design platform. Based in our Sydney flagship campus with hybrid flexibility, you'll architect intelligent developer interfaces, leverage LLMs for groundbreaking tooling like interactive docs and in-editor suggestions, and partner cross-functionally to deliver exceptional ergonomics and scalability. Champion automation and mentor engineers to shape a developer platform that drives Canva's ecosystem growth toward a billion users. Our Ecosystem Experiences Group builds the App Marketplace, Developer Portal, and SDKs that supercharge visual communications amid generative AI innovations. You'll solve unsolved challenges daily, bringing your engineering mindset to product roadmaps and ensuring secure, reliable products align with our crazy big goals. Thrive in a collaborative culture where developer insights fuel innovation, and enjoy the fun of creating tools that simplify complex workflows for hundreds of partners. At Canva, we celebrate diverse skills and backgrounds, making hiring decisions based on experience, passion, and cultural fit. Even if you don't match every qualification, we want to hear from you. Experience the magic of equity packages, inclusive parental leave, Vibe & Thrive allowances, and flexible options that empower you inside and outside work. Check out lifeatcanva.com and apply today to innovate at the intersection of AI, design, and developer joy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs for seamless Canva app integration
• Architect intelligent, context-aware developer interfaces using real-time guidance from source code, UI metadata, and behavioral signals
• Drive innovation in SDK tooling with LLMs for intelligent scaffolding, type-safe interfaces, interactive docs, and in-editor code suggestions
• Partner with UX, infrastructure, and product teams to ensure exceptional developer ergonomics and scalability
• Champion automation-first principles across the SDK lifecycle, including self-documenting APIs and upgrade guidance
• 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 tooling to empower hundreds of developers
• Translate developer insights into product roadmaps that supercharge visual design workflows
• Innovate daily on unsolved challenges in developer experience for a billion-user platform

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
• Proficiency in TypeScript and Python, with familiarity in modern SDK scaffolding frameworks and API design conventions (e.g., OpenAPI)
• Background in developer relations, API advocacy, or platform enablement
• Proven ability to thrive in collaborative, cross-functional teams translating complex platform capabilities into intuitive SDKs
• Strong experience architecting scalable developer platforms that prioritize velocity and ease of integration

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Canva's Apps SDK or similar visual design/communications platforms
• Knowledge of generative AI innovations and their application to developer tooling
• Contributions to open-source SDKs or developer tools ecosystems
• Familiarity with sandboxed environments, automated changelogs, and self-documenting APIs
• Mentoring experience in engineering teams focused on platform strategy

Required Skills

• TypeScript proficiency
• Python expertise
• SDK development and scaffolding
• API design (OpenAPI, REST)
• LLM integration (OpenAI, Anthropic)
• Developer tooling ecosystems
• AI-powered code generation and autocomplete
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Platform architecture and scalability
• Developer experience optimization
• Automation and CI/CD for SDKs
• Type-safe interfaces and versioning
• Mentoring and strategic leadership
• Problem-solving in innovative environments
• Visual design platform knowledge
• Real-time feedback systems

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 goals
• Hybrid work model with choice in Sydney flagship campus or other Australian locations
• Moments of magic, connectivity, and fun woven into Canva life
• Access to co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide
• Virtual interview process with reasonable adjustments available

Canva is an equal opportunity employer.