Staff Security Engineer (AI)

TL;DR

Staff Security Engineer (AI): Building specialized AI security capabilities to address challenges in deploying machine learning at scale with an accent on research, threat modeling, and secure-by-design patterns. Focus on defining strategic security frameworks for model training pipelines and inference endpoints while leading research into emerging AI threats like prompt injection and model poisoning.

Location: Must be based in Australia (Remote or hybrid across Australia).

Company

Canva is a global design platform empowering millions of users to create and collaborate on visual content.

What you will do

• Define strategic direction and security frameworks for AI systems at scale.
• Lead research into emerging AI security threats and attack vectors.
• Conduct threat modeling, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing for AI features.
• Serve as the technical authority for AI security, leading security reviews and code assessments.
• Develop detection rules and response playbooks for AI-specific security incidents.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to embed secure-by-design workflows across the organization.

Requirements

• Must be based in Australia.
• Deep technical expertise in AI security with a track record of research and innovation.
• Proven ability to explore unknown security problems and set strategic direction in ambiguous spaces.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Experience balancing risk, usability, and velocity in fast-paced environments.
• Ability to mentor other engineers and build durable security frameworks.

Culture & Benefits

• Equity packages for all employees.
• Inclusive parental leave policy.
• Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing and office setup.
• Flexible leave options to support personal needs and recharging.
• Collaborative environment focused on high-impact security work.