As a Senior Backend Software Engineer at Canva, you will lead the design and development of scalable, reliable backend services using modern frameworks and tools. You'll collaborate with product managers, designers, and frontend engineers to deliver end-to-end product features that have real user impact while contributing to Canva’s mission of empowering the world to design.
What You'll Do
- Leading the design and development of scalable, reliable backend services using modern frameworks and tools
- Driving collaboration with PMs, designers, and fellow engineers to scope, define, and deliver impactful product features
- Evolving and scaling Canva’s backend architecture through thoughtful service design, system decomposition, and shared tooling
- Championing reliability, performance, and engineering best practices across multiple service domains
- Writing robust, well-tested code and proactively identifying areas for technical improvement or refactor
- Guiding design and code reviews, mentoring peers, and raising the technical bar for your team
- Maintaining and improving service health, observability, and incident resilience in partnership with your team
What We're Looking For
- Highly experienced building complex backend systems in production environments
- Strong Java fundamentals and ability to confidently write production-grade code
- Ability to apply backend concepts like multithreading, service design, and performance optimisation in real-world systems
- Comfortable taking ownership of features end-to-end—from architecture to delivery
- Thrives in environments where you drive the “how”
- Balances attention to detail with pragmatism, and consistently ships reliable, maintainable code at speed
- Thoughtful collaborator who works well across disciplines and proactively brings others on the journey
- Understands the bigger picture—how systems connect to product goals, reliability, and long-term scalability
- Enjoys mentoring others, offering constructive feedback, and lifting the technical bar for your team
- Hands-on experience using AI in coding/programming to drive greater impact
Technical Stack
- Java
- Modern backend frameworks and tools
- AI tools for coding/programming
Team & Environment
Multiple backend teams focused on solving meaningful problems at scale; collaboration with product managers, designers, and frontend engineers
Benefits & Compensation
- Equity packages - we want our success to be yours too
- Inclusive parental leave policy that supports all parents & carers
- An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & more
- Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personally
Compensation includes equity packages and an annual Vibe & Thrive allowance.
Work Mode
Choice in where and how you work; remote across ANZ; hybrid flexibility between campuses and co-working spaces. Locations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
Canva is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued, regardless of background or identity.
