Canva has an engineering leadership problem - Engineer Canva Employee Review

2.0
7 Aug 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Product, values and company culture are great. Maybe a bit over the top at times, but it's a positive and mostly enjoyable workplace.

Cons

Engineering leadership at Canva has some significant hurdles to overcome still, and this is mainly a problem caused by the top level, but it's propagated to the middle level too. They have a non-standard leadership structure, and insist on re-inventing the wheel in weird and wonderful ways. Leadership has been heavily influenced by engineers that have been around since the beginning, by initially insisting in no structure, to realising the lack of it is a problem and ramming it down our throats. A hierarchy was swiftly created, with leads that have questionable experience/skill in leading large groups.

Explore other reviews about Canva

5.0
27 Apr 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Fast pace - Interesting tech - Fun product to work on - Great culture & values

Cons

- Crunch periods can be full on

3.0
28 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Product is beloved by users. Brand affinity is second to none which makes being a marketer a lot of fun. Genuinely good and caring coworkers who want to build something great. Hiring bar is high. Vibe and Thrive benefit is clever and unique.

Cons

Behind the brand is a cult like culture with the “founders” surrounded by yes people (whether they are aware of it or not). Mediocrity seems to be tolerated among management’s “old guard” causing tension and churn with newer and sometimes more experienced leaders. Insecure leaders at some of the highest levels perpetuate much of the toxic behaviors described in the reviews below such as gaslighting and favoritism. People “disappear” with little to no explanation, but hey, it’s the “Canva way”.

4
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