Staff Front-End Engineer - Design Systems

About the Role

Join Canva's transformative front-end team, leading the evolution of how design is experienced globally. This pivotal position centers on steering a significant advancement in Canva's frontend architecture focused on design systems, pushing the boundaries between web and React Native across platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a Portable UI Platform, delivering shared React components usable on web and React Native mobile platforms by the end of 2026.
• Create abstractions that simplify cross-platform complexities, enabling product teams to utilize portable capabilities seamlessly.
• Set and maintain high standards for building, distributing, and consuming portable components to support scalability and adoption by over 800 engineers.
• Mentor engineers through the transition from web-first to cross-platform development, guiding design and code reviews, and fostering team decisions.
• Collaborate across product teams to align efforts, prioritize work, and promote platform adoption as a critical factor for success.
• Direct the strategic technical roadmap for the Design System Evolution team and contribute to broader design system initiatives.
• Adapt the design system to an AI-native framework, enhancing workflows with AI assistance and reinforcing a strong visual language.
• Influence frontend engineering practices at Canva by establishing best practices and advancing engineering methodologies.

Candidate Profile

We’re interested in candidates who possess one or more of the following qualifications and traits (you don’t need to satisfy all):

• Proven leadership or development experience in design systems with a passion for platform enablement.
• Deep expertise in core web technologies including HTML, CSS, Web APIs, JavaScript/TypeScript, and React.
• Hands-on experience in cross-platform UI/UX development utilizing React Native.
• Demonstrable success delivering large-scale, cross-team projects with robust and scalable technical solutions.
• Outstanding collaboration and communication skills to effectively engage with cross-functional teams.
• A strong balance of strategic thinking and attention to detail.
• Well-developed problem-solving abilities, capable of decomposing complex challenges while evaluating tradeoffs.
• A commitment to fostering technical excellence, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.
• Interest in exploring AI-driven enhancements for developer and design workflows.
• Awareness of accessibility principles and a dedication to ongoing education in this area.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience advocating technical goals and leading significant changes both as a leader and individual contributor.
• Background in stakeholder engagement and internal advocacy roles.
• Ability to write accessible code compliant with standards such as WCAG 2.2 AA.
• Exposure to native or hybrid mobile development environments.

About the Team

Canva’s design system comprises design guidelines, reusable UI components, and tools that enable consistent experience delivery at scale. The Design System Evolution team pushes forward this mission by expanding capabilities, enabling new platform reach, and setting technical standards to support Canva's growth.

This role offers the chance to impact the entire design system at scale, while mentoring engineers and shaping the future of frontend technology at Canva.

Benefits and Culture

• Equity participation so you share in the company’s success.
• Inclusive parental leave policies supporting all parents and carers.
• Vibe & Thrive allowance to promote wellbeing, social connection, and home office needs.
• Flexible leave policies enabling you to recharge and support personal causes.

Other Information

Canva values diverse backgrounds and skills and encourages all applicants to apply regardless of whether they meet every listed criterion.

The hiring process is virtual. Candidates are invited to share their pronouns and request any reasonable accommodations for the interview process.