Principal Frontend Engineer (React)

TL;DR

Principal Frontend Engineer (React): Leading the architectural evolution of the web platform to ensure sub-two-second page loads for a global user base with an accent on React Server Components, SSR, and offline resilience. Focus on driving org-wide frontend performance standards and building foundational architecture that scales to a billion users.

Location: Must be based in Melbourne, Australia. This is a hybrid role requiring regular on-campus collaboration.

Company

Canva is a global visual communication platform empowering millions of users to design and publish content across any device.

What you will do

• Own the technical direction for the web platform, including SSR and React Server Components.
• Drive measurable performance improvements to achieve sub-two-second first page load times.
• Influence the broader frontend specialty by defining patterns, authoring design docs, and leading migrations.
• Stay hands-on with code, contributing to core architecture and prototyping complex solutions.
• Define strategies for offline resilience and graceful degradation under poor network conditions.
• Collaborate with other Principal and Staff engineers to set high technical standards across the organization.

Requirements

• Must be based in Melbourne and able to work from the campus.
• Deep expertise in React internals, including reconciliation, rendering models, and hooks.
• Production-grade fluency in TypeScript.
• Proven experience shipping SSR and React Server Components in complex, mature products.
• Strong background in performance measurement, observability, and engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to influence large-scale technical direction without disrupting existing product teams.

Nice to have

• Open-source contributions to React, Next.js, or the frontend ecosystem.
• Experience with edge runtimes like Cloudflare Workers or Fastly.
• Background in cross-functional backend partnership for request/response optimization.

Culture & Benefits

• Equity packages to share in company success.
• Inclusive parental leave policies for all carers.
• Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing and office setup.
• Flexible leave options to support work-life balance.
• Creative, collaborative office environment in Melbourne.