Principal Software Engineer - Video - Design Bay area or ANZ

Principal Software Engineer – Video – Design Experience

Open to Bay Area or ANZ, relocation provided to ANZ.

Join the team redefining how the world experiences video creation at Canva
.

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 Canva Dan to find the balance that empowers them and their team.

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.

This is one of the most technically ambitious roles, situated at the intersection of engineering, creativity, and innovation. The Video group is building the future of how people create and consume video, powering millions of users worldwide. Our mission is to democratise video creation through world‑class rendering engines, scalable infrastructure, and AI‑powered creativity.

• Architect and lead Canva’s video stack, balancing performance, scalability, and user experience.
• Design cutting‑edge rendering engines and optimise video composition pipelines.
• Drive performance optimisation and solve complex export cost and reliability challenges.
• Mentor engineers and shape architectural standards for video technology.
• Lead innovative features like AI‑powered effects and advanced international language support.

• 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.

Video at Canva is on a mission to democratise video creation, delivering seamless, professional‑quality experiences to millions worldwide.

• 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.

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.