Principal Software Engineer - Video - Design Experience - Open to remote across Australia and New Zealand

Join the team redefining how the world experiences video creation.

Hey, g'day, mabuhay, kia ora, 你好, hallo, vítejte!

Thanks for stopping by. We know job hunting can be a little time-consuming, and you’re probably keen to find out what’s on offer, so we’ll get straight to the point.

Where and how you can work

Our flagship campus is in Sydney, with additional hubs across ANZ. But you have a choice in where and how you work—we trust our Canvanauts to find the balance that empowers them and their team to achieve their goals.

What you’d be doing in this role

As Canva scales, change continues to be part of our DNA. You’ll lead the technical direction for video technology that powers millions of daily exports, architecting scalable, high-performance rendering systems and pioneering AI-powered video features. You’ll work alongside talented engineers, tackling complex problems and pushing the boundaries of browser-based video creation.

At the moment, this role is focused on

• Architecting and leading Canva’s video stack, balancing performance, scalability, and user experience
• Designing cutting-edge rendering engines and optimising video composition pipelines
• Driving performance optimisation and solving complex export cost and reliability challenges
• Mentoring engineers and shaping architectural standards for video technology
• Leading innovative features like AI-powered effects and advanced international language support

You’re probably a match if

• Extensive experience building high-performance video and graphics rendering engines
• Deep expertise in video editing, composition, or similar creative software
• Proven skills in scalable system architecture supporting millions of users
• A track record of technical leadership in video or digital content creation tooling
• Experience with cross-platform development and engine consolidation

About the team

Video at Canva is on a mission to democratise video creation, delivering seamless, professional-quality experiences to millions worldwide. Our team works at the forefront of innovation, building robust and scalable video infrastructure that powers everything from individual creators to enterprise teams.

What’s in it for you?

Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard — and we do — but you’ll also enjoy moments of magic, connection, and fun throughout life at Canva. We offer:

• Equity packages — we want our success to be yours too
• Inclusive parental leave policies supporting all parents & carers
• An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance supporting wellbeing, social connection, and office setup
• Flexible leave options empowering you to recharge and thrive

Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.

Other stuff to know

We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills, and passion, as well as how you enhance Canva and our culture. When you apply, please share your pronouns and any adjustments you might need during the interview process. We celebrate all kinds of skills and backgrounds — even if you don’t tick every box, we want to hear from you!

Interviews are conducted virtually.