Senior Backend Engineer - Entities Platform

We're seeking an ambitious backend engineer ready to accelerate their growth by working alongside a highly skilled team on complex distributed systems. You should be eager to learn from other engineers while confident enough to contribute your own ideas. The ideal candidate thrives in environments where technical challenges operate at massive scale - where even small optimisations can save millions in infrastructure costs. You'll need strong programming fundamentals (in any language) and the ability to quickly adapt to our Java-based backend systems. Most importantly, you should be excited about cloud-based platform engineering - building the foundational backend systems that enable hundreds of other engineers to deliver value faster.

Strong programming expertise in any language, with willingness to work primarily in Java for backend development

Solid understanding of distributed systems, databases, and cloud infrastructure fundamentals (AWS experience preferred)

Experience building scalable backend services and APIs

Demonstrated ability to write clean, tested, maintainable code that operates reliably at scale

Self-directed learning mindset - able to leverage the expertise around you while independently driving your growth

Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams

Problem-solving aptitude with the ability to break down complex backend challenges into manageable solutions

Genuine interest in cloud infrastructure and backend platform engineering at massive scale

Entities Platform is a newly formed team at the heart of Media Platform, the foundational infrastructure that powers every design at Canva. We're an experienced team of engineers responsible for the backend systems that manage billions of media assets, serving users across the globe while handling petabytes of data. Our team builds and maintains the unified, cloud-based platforms that enable seamless media experiences across Canva - from the moment a user uploads an image to when they export their final design. We're building systems that handle extraordinary volumes of data, solving the distributed systems challenges that come with supporting millions of users globally.

As a Software Engineer joining our Entities Platform team, you'll work alongside other engineers on Canva's most critical backend infrastructure. With an experienced team you'll be immersed in an environment of technical excellence where you'll rapidly develop your skills through exposure to complex, large-scale cloud systems. You'll contribute to platform systems including critical components that must handle billions of daily operations with near-perfect reliability. The team organizes work based on skills, experience, and need, ensuring you'll gain comprehensive exposure across all domains we own. Working at Media Platform's extraordinary scale provides unique growth opportunities - whether you prefer rapid advancement or steady progression, you'll find paths that match your ambitions.

Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard - and we do - but you'll experience lots of moments of magic, connectivity and fun woven throughout life at Canva, too. We also offer a stack of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work.

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

Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.

We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills and passion, as well as how you can enhance Canva and our culture. When you apply, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process.

Please note that interviews are conducted virtually.