Backend Software Engineer (Java) - Search Quality (open to remote across ANZ)

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

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. We also have a campus in Melbourne and co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. But you have a choice in where and how you work. That means if you want to do your thing in the office (if you're near one), at home or a bit of both, it's up to you.

What you’d be doing in this role

As Canva scales change continues to be part of our DNA. But we like to think that's all part of the fun. So this will give you the flavour of the type of things you'll be working on when you start, but this will likely evolve.

About the team

Discovery Understanding’s mission is to promote and showcase Canva’s content to current and potential users. Without good discovery systems, users can’t benefit from the wide range of content Canva has on offer. We are responsible for the AI, machine learning and backend infrastructure that powers Canva’s discovery experience, from the collection of data and signals through to the serving of thousands of search requests per second. We do our work across the major discovery areas at Canva: templates, photos, graphics, videos, and users’ designs.

Backend engineers in Discovery Understanding build intelligent systems that connect millions of users with the relevant content for their creative needs. We design and implement high-performance search algorithms and machine learning models across Canva's vast content ecosystem. We identify opportunities, execute solutions, and measure their effectiveness at scale to drive engagement and satisfaction. We launch prototypes, iterate, and work on projects that meet long-term engineering and product strategy to provide the best search experience while honouring Canva's values.

What you’ll be doing in this role

• Develop and run experiments to test new algorithms and models aimed at improving search relevance.
• Collaborate with machine learning engineers to integrate new features and models into the search pipeline.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers and frontend engineers, to align on search-related goals and deliverables.
• Monitor and troubleshoot search performance issues, ensuring high availability and reliability of search services.
• Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues related to the team’s domain as and when they arise, and being part of the team’s rostered on-call rotation.
• Providing on-call support for the team’s services.

You're probably a match if

• Proven experience in backend development, with a strong understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles.
• Proficiency in Java.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Disciplined coding practices and experience with code reviews and pull requests. You model best practices to your peers.
• Strong communication and team collaboration skills, both written and verbal. A Canva engineer strives to understand the exact problem before jumping into writing code.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Experience with large-scale data processing and distributed systems.

What's in it for you?

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. 

Here's a taste of what's on offer:
• 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 well-being, social connection, office setup & more
• Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and support's you personally

Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info.

Other stuff to knowWe 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.