Staff Software Engineer

Overview Staff Software Engineer - Developer Experience, Ecosystems Join Canva to redefine how the world experiences design. This role focuses on building AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs to empower developers to create, test, and deploy high-quality apps that integrate with Canva. Where and How You Can Work Our flagship campus is in Sydney. We also have a campus in Melbourne and co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. You have the choice in where and how you work; we trust Canvanauts to balance their goals and teams. What You’ll Be Doing As Canva scales, change is part of the DNA. This role will evolve, but at the moment focuses on: Leading the design and implementation of AI-powered SDKs and platform APIs that empower developers to rapidly build, test, and deploy high-quality apps that integrate with Canva. Architecting intelligent, context-aware developer interfaces that provide real-time guidance, API feedback, and best-practice recommendations drawn from source code, UI metadata, and behavioral signals. Driving innovation in SDK tooling by leveraging LLMs and model-centric architectures to enable intelligent scaffolding, type-safe interfaces, interactive docs, and in-editor code suggestions. Partnering with cross-functional teams—including UX, infrastructure, and product—to ensure SDKs and APIs deliver exceptional developer ergonomics, scalability, and alignment with Canva’s platform strategy. Championing automation-first principles across the SDK lifecycle—reducing friction through self-documenting APIs, automated changelogs, upgrade guidance, and sandboxed environments. Mentoring engineers and shaping the strategic direction of Canva’s developer platform—contributing to a vision for how AI can augment SDK and API design, testing, and consumption. You're Probably a Match If You’ve led SDK or API platforms for developer ecosystems, especially in AI-augmented environments where developer velocity and ease of integration are paramount. You have experience building SDKs and tools that simplify integration, versioning, and discovery of capabilities—across web-based and multi-platform contexts. You’ve worked with LLMs (via OpenAI, Anthropic, or open source) to improve developer experience through intelligent documentation, code summarization, or autocomplete. You’re proficient in TypeScript and/or Python, familiar with modern SDK scaffolding frameworks, API design conventions (e.g. OpenAPI), and developer tooling ecosystems. You have a background in developer relations, API advocacy, or platform enablement—helping internal and external developers succeed through thoughtful design and support. You thrive in collaborative, cross-functional teams and enjoy translating complex platform capabilities into intuitive, well-supported SDKs that developers love. You’re excited about solving real-world problems with AI—and building tools that bring these capabilities to developers everywhere. About The Team We aim to build Canva’s world’s richest ecosystem of apps and integrations for visual design and communications to meet diverse user needs and drive MAU growth. Canva’s App Marketplace, Developer Portal, and SDKs are part of the Ecosystem Experiences Group. As a Staff Software Engineer, you’ll shape engineering strategy to deliver secure and reliable products while balancing trade-offs toward ambitious goals. The team’s customers are developers, so you’ll bring insights to the product roadmap. Check out what a Canva Software Engineer has to say about working in Engineering: "The challenges that I am solving do not have a known solution, which means I get to create and innovate each day." What’s In It For You We pursue big goals with moments of magic, connectivity, and fun. We offer a range of benefits to support success in and outside of work, including: Equity packages Inclusive parental leave policy for all parents and carers An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing, social connection, and office setup Flexible leave options to recharge and support you personally More information at lifeatcanva.com. Other Stuff To Know We hire based on experience, skills, and passion, and how you can enhance Canva and our culture. Please share your pronouns and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process. We celebrate diverse skills and backgrounds, and interviews are conducted virtually. Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Information Technology Industries Software Development and IT Services and IT Consulting #J-18808-Ljbffr