Staff Front End Engineer (Portable Platform)

TL;DR

Staff Front End Engineer (Portable Platform) (React): Building the frontend architecture for Canva’s Portable Platform so React engineers can write once and run across web and React Native, with an accent on cross-runtime abstractions, React internals, and performance. Focus on leading the React Web to React Native transition, owning web implementations of shared components, and bringing SSR and React Server Components into the portable frontend story.

Location: Brisbane QLD, Australia

Company

Canva builds design experiences used by hundreds of millions of people.

What you will do

• Design and ship the frontend architecture for the Portable Platform so React code can run across web and React Native.
• Lead the migration from a pure React Web codebase to React Web plus React Native, keeping the transition clean for existing engineers.
• Own the web implementations of shared Portable Platform component abstractions across iOS, Android, and browser.
• Support upskilling of frontend engineers via code standards, documentation, design reviews, and direct collaboration.
• Integrate SSR and React Server Components into the portable frontend layer, including how backend wiring fits the architecture.
• Stay hands-on by writing production code, committing changes, and producing design documentation.

Requirements

• Deep React knowledge, including reconciliation, rendering model, and server component model.
• Proven ability to drive measurable performance improvements in complex frontend products.
• Experience building portable/cross-platform codebases and understanding component-layer abstraction trade-offs.
• Strong understanding of the React Native mental model and how it differs from React Web.
• Evidence of cross-team influence through shipped work, documentation, prototypes, and direct collaboration.
• Hands-on experience with recent commits, design docs, and code reviews.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with SSR and React Server Components patterns and how backend wiring connects to the frontend.
• Hands-on React Native experience (even at a surface level).
• Open-source contributions to React, React Native, or the broader frontend ecosystem.
• Experience building design systems or shared component libraries used across different rendering environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Equity packages.
• Inclusive parental leave policy for all parents and carers.
• Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance for wellbeing, social connection, and office setup.
• Flexible leave options to recharge and support personal needs.
• Interviews are conducted virtually.