Engineering Manager (BE) - Permissions and Capabilities (Remote ANZ)

What you’ll be doing in this role

At Canva, the User Platform powers the foundation of user identity, access, and capability across our global product. The Permissions & Capabilities team is critical in ensuring that millions of users—from classrooms to enterprises—can collaborate safely, securely, and at scale.

As the Engineering Manager for this team, you'll lead a talented group of engineers who are scaling the services that handle authentication, authorisation, and platform-wide capability enforcement. You'll partner closely with product, design, and engineering leaders to solve complex technical challenges and deliver high-impact infrastructure that enables Canva to grow—safely and confidently.

At the moment, this role is focused on:

• Coaching and mentoring a high-performing engineering team with psychological safety at its core
• Scaling the platform underpinning user permissions and capabilities across all of Canva
• Collaborating across supergroups to deliver secure, reliable, production-ready services
• Contributing to the design and evolution of systems that impact millions of users daily
• Driving platform-wide initiatives around performance, reliability, and developer experience
• Owning planning cadences, delivery rituals, and team growth & impact cycles

You're probably a match if:

• You’ve led high-performing engineering teams and know what it takes to build culture as well as code
• You bring deep backend expertise—especially in designing scalable, performant Java systems
• You’ve built or worked with complex permissioning systems or access control infrastructure
• You’re a clear communicator and effective cross-functional collaborator
• You enjoy balancing engineering excellence with fast-paced delivery in a product-led company
• You care about developing others and thrive on coaching your team to do the best work of their lives

About the team

The User Platform group is building Canva’s identity backbone—enabling seamless sign-on, smart permissions, and global collaboration. We're focused on breaking apart monoliths, embracing clean architecture, and scaling foundational services that empower every Canvanaut and user. The Permissions & Capabilities team sits at the core of this mission.

What’s in it for you?

We’re big on goals—but we also care deeply about enjoying the journey. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll find connection, growth, and a whole lot of fun.

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
• Annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support wellbeing, social connection & more
• Flexible leave options for recharging or making an impact
• Check out lifeatcanva.com for more info

If you're seeking a role where engineering impact meets global scale—and you're energised by the challenge of leading platform evolution—this might just be your next chapter.