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Senior Backend Engineer (Java) - Content Enrichment

Company Description

Our flagship campus is in Sydney. We also have a campus in Melbourne and co-working spaces in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Auckland. But you have choice in where and how you work, we trust our Canvanauts to choose the balance that empowers them and their team to achieve their goals.

Job Description

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.

At the moment, this role is focused on:

  • Generating, tagging, and storing metadata for all Canva content.
  • Integrating our enrichment ML models with various Canva services to streamline content ingestion.
  • Designing data pipelines to automate metadata backfills for the existing content library.
  • Opportunities to contribute to ML model training and evaluation.
  • Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues within the team’s domain.
  • Managing stakeholders and identifying cross-team collaboration opportunities to drive new ideas and improvements that align with our goals.
  • Investigating and providing guidance on interacting with our service and codebase in response to stakeholder requests.

You're probably a match if

  • You have 5+ years of hands-on experience developing complex, distributed applications in Java.
  • You are skilled in building and maintaining microservices and working with large monorepos.
  • You design solutions with scalability, security, and maintainability in mind.
  • You follow disciplined coding practices, actively participate in code reviews, and set best practice standards for your peers.
  • You have strong written and verbal communication skills and excel in team collaboration. A Canva engineer takes the time to fully understand the problem before diving into code.
  • Experience with protocol buffers is a plus but not required.
  • Knowledge of machine learning using python and concepts such as data wrangling, embeddings, model training, or prompt engineering is beneficial but not mandatory.
  • Our services run on AWS—experience with AWS services like DynamoDB, SNS, and SQS is an advantage but not required.

About the team

Our team is responsible for two critical services within Canva, and here are some key metrics:

  • 2.96 million public media items tagged per month
  • 2.14 billion private media items tagged per month
  • 112,000 videos tagged per month
  • 6.27 million image texts extracted per month

We are a close-knit team of experienced engineers, including three senior machine learning engineers, two senior backend engineers (including yourself), one intermediate backend engineer (hiring), a senior backend architect, a product manager, and an engineering manager. We take a proactive approach to problem-solving, value knowledge sharing, and encourage open collaboration and idea exchange.

Additional Information

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 range 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 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.

Other stuff to know

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.

We celebrate all types of skills and backgrounds at Canva so even if you don’t feel like your skills quite match what’s listed above - we still want to hear from you!

Please note that interviews are conducted virtually.

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Average salary estimate

$105000 / YEARLY (est.)
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$90000K
$120000K

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What You Should Know About Senior Backend Engineer (Java) - Content Enrichment, Canva

Are you an experienced Senior Backend Engineer looking to make a difference at Canva? Based in beautiful Auckland, New Zealand, this role offers the chance to be part of a dynamic team that's innovating the way we enrich content. As a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) within our Content Enrichment team, you’ll be diving into exciting projects that involve generating and tagging metadata for all Canva content and integrating cutting-edge machine learning models. You'll design robust data pipelines that facilitate automation and improve our extensive content library. Your sharp problem-solving skills will come in handy as you troubleshoot technical issues while collaborating closely with stakeholders to drive improvements and foster new ideas. This team is passionate about scalable and maintainable solutions and actively embraces a culture of knowledge sharing and support. With over five years of Java experience, you’ll also have the opportunity to work with microservices and engage in meaningful code reviews. If you have a keen interest in machine learning, AWS services, or simply enjoy working in an inclusive and supportive environment, then this is the place for you. At Canva, we believe in the balance between hard work and moments of connection and fun, and we want you to join us on this thrilling journey. Ready to be inspired every day at work? Your adventure as a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) awaits!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Senior Backend Engineer (Java) - Content Enrichment Role at Canva
What are the responsibilities of a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) at Canva?

As a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) at Canva, you will handle various responsibilities such as generating and tagging metadata for all content, integrating ML models with Canva services, and designing data pipelines for automated metadata backfills. You'll also troubleshoot technical issues, manage stakeholder interactions, and promote cross-team collaboration for ongoing improvements.

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What qualifications are required for the Senior Backend Engineer (Java) position at Canva?

To qualify for the Senior Backend Engineer (Java) position at Canva, candidates should have over five years of hands-on experience in developing complex distributed applications in Java. Proficiency in building microservices and working with large monorepos is essential, along with strong coding practices and excellent communication skills.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Can you describe the team I’ll be working with as a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) at Canva?

At Canva, you'll be part of a close-knit team comprising experienced engineers including senior machine learning engineers and backend engineers, alongside product and engineering managers. The collaborative environment fosters proactive problem-solving, encourages knowledge sharing, and embraces open communication to push innovative ideas forward.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What technologies and skills will I need as a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) at Canva?

As a Senior Backend Engineer (Java) at Canva, familiarity with Java, microservices architecture, and disciplined coding practices is vital. Experience with AWS services such as DynamoDB, SNS, and SQS is beneficial. While not required, knowledge of machine learning concepts and experience with protocol buffers can elevate your application.

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What perks come with the Senior Backend Engineer (Java) role at Canva?

In the Senior Backend Engineer (Java) role at Canva, you will enjoy perks such as equity packages, inclusive parental leave, an annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for personal well-being, and flexible leave options to support your overall wellness and personal time.

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Common Interview Questions for Senior Backend Engineer (Java) - Content Enrichment
How do you ensure scalable and maintainable code as a Senior Backend Engineer?

In responding to this question, share your coding standards and practices that promote code scalability and maintainability, such as using design patterns, conducting regular code reviews, and implementing automated testing. Mention your experience with documentation as a means to keep the code comprehensible for future team members.

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Can you describe a challenging project you've worked on in Java?

When asked about a challenging project, highlight a specific instance where you faced obstacles in Java development, explaining the problem, your approach to solving it, and the successful outcome. This demonstrates your problem-solving capabilities and dedication to quality.

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What experience do you have working with microservices?

In your answer, discuss your practical experience developing and deploying microservices, mentioning any relevant projects. Focus on how you've ensured efficient communication between services and any strategies you've employed for monitoring and scaling.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you stay updated with the latest Java practices and technologies?

Detail your approach to continuous learning in Java, such as following industry blogs, participating in forums, attending meetups, or completing online courses. Sharing specific resources or communities showcases your commitment to professional development.

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Describe a time when you had to troubleshoot a technical issue.

Provide a detailed example where you identified a technical issue, explaining how you approached troubleshooting it. Emphasize your analytical thinking, choice of tools or methods, and the long-term solutions you implemented to prevent its recurrence.

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What role does collaboration play in your work as a Senior Backend Engineer?

Highlight the importance of collaboration in your role and share how you foster teamwork through regular communication, effective meetings, and a shared understanding of project goals. Real-life examples of successful collaborations can illustrate your points.

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How do you approach code reviews?

Discuss your philosophy on code reviews, emphasizing their importance in improving code quality and knowledge sharing. Be sure to include how you provide constructive feedback and encourage dialogue among peers to enhance coding practices.

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What do you find most rewarding about working with machine learning?

Share your passion for machine learning if applicable. Discuss how enriching content through ML aligns with your skills and interests, and mention how you enjoy being part of its continuous evolution and the impact it can have on products users love.

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Can you explain your experience with AWS services?

If you have experience with AWS, describe the services you've used, such as DynamoDB or SQS, along with how they've improved application performance or scalability. If not, express your eagerness to learn and adapt to AWS technologies.

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How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

Explain your approach to task prioritization, highlighting any frameworks or methods you utilize, such as Agile methodologies. Talk about how you assess project timelines and resource availability to ensure critical tasks are addressed promptly.

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Canva is revolutionizing the design process around the world. The company provides a user-friendly online platform that enables anyone to produce stunning, professional designs - granting them easy access to the realm of visual communication.

258 jobs
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VIEW MATCH
BADGES
Badge Bipoc LedBadge Women LedBadge ChangemakerBadge Future MakerBadge InnovatorBadge Future UnicornBadge Rapid Growth
CULTURE VALUES
Inclusive & Diverse
Diversity of Opinions
Passion for Exploration
Dare to be Different
Empathetic
Growth & Learning
BENEFITS & PERKS
Paid Holidays
Medical Insurance
Equity
401K Matching
Learning & Development
Social Gatherings
Flex-Friendly
Maternity Leave
Paternity Leave
Sabbatical
SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT
TEAM SIZE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, hybrid
DATE POSTED
March 27, 2025

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