Senior Machine Learning Engineer - AI Enablement (AU remote)

Please note, this is not a model building role

This role sits at the intersection of solution expertise and platform engineering, requiring deep technical expertise across ML domains combined with strong platform knowledge. The senior MLE will context-switch between facilitating model evaluations, data pipeline, optimising inference performance and working directly with product teams building solutions. The nature of enablement work demands someone who operates as a force multiplier, finding satisfaction not just in solving technical problems but in enabling others to move faster. The role operates in a high-velocity environment where priorities shift rapidly based on team needs, requiring both technical excellence and pragmatic judgment. This combination of deep expertise and adaptive problem-solving is critical to accelerating the delivery of GenAI capabilities across Canva, removing friction from the path to production and ensuring product teams across the company can ship AI-powered features at the pace and quality our ambitions require.

What you’ll do (responsibilities):

Responsibilities will evolve as Canva's needs change, but here's what the role will focus on initially:

• Act as a solution expert across ML domains including evaluations, training, inference, data pipelines, labelling, and optimisation
• Work directly alongside product teams as a trusted partner, helping them navigate platform capabilities, apply expert domain knowledge, optimise implementations, and accelerate the journey from experimentation to production
• Provide critical solution expertise to researchers and AI builders globally, helping them navigate platform capabilities, apply expert domain knowledge, optimise implementations, and accelerate the journey from experimentation to production
• Bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and reliable, production-ready features, ensuring that innovation translates into real user value
• Facilitate model evaluations, data pipeline, optimising inference performance, and working directly with product teams building solutions
• Operate in a high-velocity environment where priorities shift rapidly based on team needs, requiring both technical excellence and pragmatic judgment

Requirements

• PhD or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in machine learning, with a proven track record of delivering production-ready AI solutions
• Strong understanding of ML lifecycle, including data pipeline, model training, evaluation, inference, and deployment
• Experience with distributed systems, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure), and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Proficiency in Python, with experience in ML frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically and creatively to solve complex technical challenges
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities
• Experience with AI/ML model optimisation, including inference performance tuning and model compression
• Experience with data labelling, data quality assurance, and data pipeline design
• Strong understanding of software engineering principles, including version control (e.g., Git), CI/CD, and testing practices
• Ability to mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and continuous learning
• Experience with large-scale AI/ML systems and the ability to scale solutions to handle high-volume, real-time workloads
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and derive actionable insights
• Experience with natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, or other AI domains is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work remotely and collaborate effectively with global teams

What we offer

• Remote work flexibility within Australia
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunities to work on cutting-edge AI/ML projects with a global impact
• Collaborative and innovative work environment
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Access to Canva's flagship campus in Sydney and co-working spaces in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide
• Health and wellness benefits, including mental health support and flexible working arrangements
• A culture that values diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being
• The chance to shape the future of AI and design at a global scale