Staff Software Engineer - Platform Workflows

Summary

Join Canva's Platform Workflows team and help redefine the world's design experience. This staff engineering role blends developer advocacy, product management, and platform engineering. You will drive technical strategy for platform workflows, deeply understand platform engineers' daily tasks, and provide technical expertise to multiple teams. The role involves navigating complex stakeholder relationships, owning configuration frameworks, and defining new tools and processes. You will also help build and develop the team through mentorship and identifying growth opportunities. This position offers a unique opportunity to impact Canva's platform and engineering effectiveness.

Requirements

• You have deep experience with Python or Go programming languages
• You have strong experience with Kubernetes (including Custom Resource Definitions), AWS, and ideally GCP cloud environments
• You have prior experience in platform engineering roles with demonstrated ability to work across multiple teams
• You have experience with AI tooling for software engineering, such as Copilot or Claude Code
• You have exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence and build relationships across diverse stakeholders
• You have proven ability to think strategically, connect external changes to strategy, and drive momentum on large initiatives
• You have experience developing others, providing actionable feedback, and building high-performing teams

Responsibilities

• Driving technical strategy for platform workflows, making trade-offs that balance short and long-term needs across multiple teams and domains
• Deeply understand “the 80% workflows” performed by platform engineers day-to-day and how these contribute to the broader mission
• Providing technical expertise to multiple teams and contribute to engineering standards and best practices across Canva
• Navigating complex stakeholder relationships, translating between technical and business needs while advocating effectively for engineering requirements
• Taking significant ownership of configuration frameworks and infrastructure abstraction tools, leading improvements to code structure and reducing technical debt
• Defining and rolling out new tools, standards, and processes that improve engineering effectiveness across multiple teams
• Helping build and develop the team through effective delegation, mentorship, feedback, and by identifying opportunities for others to grow
• Working alongside the team engineering lead to identify high-value opportunities and ensure the team’s roadmap is always pointing in the right direction

Preferred Qualifications

You have prior experience as a consultant, business analyst, or developer advocate would be valuable

Benefits

• 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