Staff Software Engineer – API Platform (AU remote)

Responsibilities

• ▹Design and build the core infrastructure connecting services across Canva's backend engineering org
• ▹Lead a major migration of how backend services communicate, working closely with partner engineering teams and leaders
• ▹Drive support for more languages and frameworks so more teams can build natively on the platform
• ▹Own the reliability, performance, and correctness of systems in the critical path for the whole engineering org
• ▹Mentor engineers and help raise the technical bar across the team

Requirements

• ▹Experience building and operating infrastructure other engineering teams depend on, ideally in the API gateway, RPC, or service mesh space at high traffic and large scale
• ▹Comfortable owning systems where reliability and correctness matter, thinking in trade-offs rather than quick fixes
• ▹Ability to drive technical direction across teams that don't report to you, communicating clearly to engineers and consuming teams
• ▹Genuine ownership of outcomes and motivation for platform work
• ▹Years of experience owning large-scale, high-transaction production systems commercially, ideally across more than one language

Soft skills

What we offer

• ▹Equity packages
• ▹Inclusive parental leave policy for all parents and carers
• ▹Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing, social connection, and office setup
• ▹Flexible leave options

About the company

Canva is a design platform company reshaping how the world experiences design, headquartered in Sydney with a Melbourne campus and co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, offering a flexible, remote-friendly culture.