Staff Front-End Engineer - Design Systems

Role Overview

Join a transformative team shaping the future of design experiences globally. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will spearhead a key evolution in our frontend architecture focusing on design systems, particularly advancing cross-platform UI components to harmonize mobile and web interfaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and ownership of the Portable UI Platform, delivering reusable React components compatible with both React Native and React DOM, underpinning major product surfaces by the end of 2026.
• Create abstractions that simplify cross-platform complexities within the design system, enabling product teams to leverage portable capabilities effortlessly.
• Establish and maintain high standards for building, distributing, and utilizing portable components ensuring scalability and consistency across 800+ engineers.
• Mentor and guide engineers transitioning from web-first to cross-platform development through code reviews, design decisions, and collaborative leadership.
• Collaborate across product teams to understand requirements and prioritize design system platform features that drive adoption and impact delivery success.
• Direct strategic technical planning within the Design System Evolution team, charting the path toward future frontend innovations.
• Adapt the design system to an AI-driven environment, integrating AI-assisted workflows and enhancing the visual language to empower technical and non-technical users alike.
• Shape broader frontend engineering practices by developing best practices, methodologies, and influencing specialty standards.

Candidate Profile

• Proven leadership in design system development with enthusiasm for platform enablement and stewardship.
• In-depth expertise in core web technologies including HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript, Web APIs, and React.
• Hands-on experience with React Native for cross-platform UI development across web and mobile devices.
• Successful history of delivering large-scale, reliable, and scalable projects involving multiple teams.
• Strong communication skills for effective collaboration across diverse, cross-functional teams.
• Ability to balance holistic strategic thinking with detailed-oriented execution.
• Exceptional problem-solving aptitude to deconstruct complex challenges into clear, balanced solutions.
• Commitment to fostering excellence, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing within the engineering community.
• An openness to exploring AI technologies to enhance development and design processes.
• Awareness and dedication to accessibility principles and standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advocating for technical innovations and leading significant strategic changes.
• Competency in stakeholder engagement and internal advocacy roles.
• Capability to develop accessible code compliant with specifications like WCAG 2.2 AA.
• Exposure to native or hybrid mobile app development environments.

About the Team

The Design System Evolution team advances our design system capabilities by broadening technology support and setting technical standards to empower a consistent and scalable product experience at Canva. You will collaborate closely with other design system teams to elevate the maturity and impact of our platform.

Benefits and Culture

• Ownership through equity packages aligning your success with the company’s growth.
• Inclusive parental leave programs supporting diverse family needs.
• Annual Vibe & Thrive budget to enhance wellbeing, social engagement, and workspace setup.
• Flexible leave policies promoting balance, personal wellbeing, and social impact.

Additional Information

Hiring decisions prioritize your experience, skills, passion, and cultural fit. We encourage candidates of all skill levels and backgrounds to apply. Please provide your preferred pronouns and any interview accommodations needed. Interviews are held virtually.