Senior Engineering Manager - AI Research

Job Title: Senior Engineering Manager – AI Research

Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Engineering Manager to lead our AI Research team, driving innovation at the intersection of machine learning, generative AI, and design technology. You will play a key role in shaping the future of creative tools by mentoring a world-class team of ML engineers and researchers, setting strategic research goals, and delivering cutting-edge AI solutions that power product features used by millions.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of AI researchers and engineers in a collaborative, psychologically safe environment.
• Define and drive the research strategy for AI initiatives, aligning team efforts with product and company goals.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI and deep learning; guide the application of state-of-the-art techniques into scalable, real-world product features.
• Partner cross-functionally with Product Managers, Designers, and Platform teams to prioritize research projects and integrate solutions into Canva’s ecosystem.
• Advocate for research excellence and technical innovation within the organization, while clearly articulating the value of research to stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of experimentation and continuous learning; lead the development of prototypes and proof-of-concept models.
• Facilitate collaboration across teams to uncover synergies and drive collective innovation.
• Translate complex research concepts into strategic initiatives and business value.

What We’re Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 3+ years in a people leadership role.
• Proven success leading applied research teams or projects in machine learning, generative AI, or computer vision.
• Strong technical background in deep learning, generative models (e.g., diffusion models, transformers), or multimodal AI.
• Experience bridging research and product development with a strong sense of user-centered design.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build relationships across teams, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience in defining research roadmaps, driving execution, and shipping innovative solutions into production environments.
• A genuine interest or background in creativity, design, or digital creation tools is a strong plus.

Bonus Points For

• PhD or Master's in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth tech environments.
• Familiarity with the latest tools in AI model deployment, distributed training, and scalable architecture.
• Contributions to open-source AI projects or publications in top-tier AI/ML conferences.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission-driven company changing how the world designs.
• Work in a fast-moving, highly creative team solving real-world challenges with AI.
• Enjoy flexible work arrangements, generous equity packages, and wellness benefits.
• Collaborate with passionate, diverse, and talented people who care about their work—and each other.