Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity
Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity

Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Build high-performance UIs in C++ and Objective-C for macOS and iOS.
  • Company: Join Canva, a creative software powerhouse redefining design experiences.
  • Benefits: Equity packages, flexible leave, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on creative software used by professionals worldwide.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Objective-C, C++, and strong GUI development skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative team culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Join the team redefining how the world experiences design.

Where and how you can work:

The buzzing Canva London campus features several buildings around beautiful leafy Hoxton Square in Shoreditch. While our global headquarters is in Sydney, Australia, London is our HQ for Europe, with all kinds of teams based here, plus event spaces to gather our team and communities. You’ll experience a warm welcome from our Vibe team at front of house, amazing home cooked food from our Head Chef and a variety of workspaces to hang out with your team mates or get solo work done. That said, we trust our Canvanauts to choose the balance that empowers them and their team to achieve their goals and so you have choice in where and how you work.

What you’d be doing in this role:

  • Build high-performance, elegant UIs in C++ and Objective-C
  • Contribute to architectural decisions across shared libraries and components
  • Optimise code for responsiveness, memory usage, and performance
  • Work on UI that feels native to macOS and iOS — mouse, touch, and stylus
  • Debug and improve complex systems across the Affinity product suite
  • Collaborate with design and QA to deliver pixel-perfect implementations
  • Continuously learn and keep pace with Apple’s evolving frameworks

You’re probably a match if:

  • You have several years of experience in Objective-C and C++
  • You bring hands-on iOS or macOS development experience, with strong knowledge of Xcode
  • You have the proven ability to build high-quality, maintainable applications
  • You possess strong GUI development skills for Mac and iOS, with a focus on usability and performance
  • You have solid foundation in object‑oriented design and design patterns
  • You have experience with vector, DTP, or imaging applications (a plus)
  • You can showcase a high attention to detail and pride in writing clean, reliable code
  • You are a clear communicator who enjoys learning, collaborating, and solving complex problems

About the team:

We’re on a mission to empower creatives everywhere with world‑class, fast, and intuitive creative software applications. The Affinity team brings together passionate engineers, designers, and product experts to redefine how professionals and enthusiasts approach photo editing, vector design, and layout. Our work enables creators across industries to bring their ideas to life, and every innovation we ship helps them do it faster, smarter, and more beautifully. We’re a close‑knit team that values performance, precision, rich UI and pushing creative boundaries.

What’s in it for you?

Achieving our crazy big goals motivates us to work hard - and we do - but you’ll experience lots of moments of magic, connectivity and fun woven throughout life at Canva, too. We also offer a range of benefits to set you up for every success in and outside of work. 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
  • An annual Vibe & Thrive allowance to support your wellbeing, social connection, office setup & more
  • Flexible leave options that empower you to be a force for good, take time to recharge and supports you personally

Other stuff to know:

We make hiring decisions based on your experience, skills and passion, as well as how you can enhance Canva and our culture. When you apply, please tell us the pronouns you use and any reasonable adjustments you may need during the interview process. We celebrate all types of skills and backgrounds at Canva so even if you don’t feel like your skills quite match what’s listed above - we still want to hear from you! Please note that interviews are conducted virtually.

Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity employer: Canva

Canva is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture at its London campus, located in the creative hub of Shoreditch. With a focus on employee well-being, the company offers flexible working arrangements, equity packages, and a supportive parental leave policy, ensuring that every Canvanaut can thrive both personally and professionally. The collaborative environment encourages continuous learning and innovation, making it an ideal place for passionate engineers to contribute to groundbreaking design software.
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Contact Detail:

Canva Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, especially projects that showcase your expertise in Objective-C and C++. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews! Research common interview questions for UI engineers and practice your responses. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you tackled challenges, especially in high-performance environments.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Canva!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity

Objective-C
C++
iOS Development
macOS Development
Xcode
High-Performance UI Development
GUI Development
Object-Oriented Design
Design Patterns
Attention to Detail
Debugging Skills
Collaboration Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Usability Focus

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your experience with Objective-C and C++. We want to see how you've built high-quality applications, so don’t hold back on showcasing your best work!

Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Mention specific projects where you’ve optimised code for performance or created elegant UIs. It’ll help us see how you fit into our team!

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff without unnecessary fluff.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Canva

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Objective-C and C++ skills before the interview. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you've optimised code for performance and responsiveness. This role is all about building high-performance UIs, so showcasing your technical expertise will definitely impress.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to talk about complex problems you've solved in previous roles. Think of specific examples where you collaborated with design and QA teams to deliver pixel-perfect implementations. This will demonstrate your ability to work well in a team and tackle challenges head-on.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Apple's Frameworks

Since the role involves keeping pace with Apple’s evolving frameworks, it’s crucial to show that you’re proactive about learning. Mention any recent updates or features you’ve explored, and how they could apply to the work at Canva. This shows your commitment to continuous improvement.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

As a clear communicator, you’ll need to express your ideas effectively during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process and decisions in past projects. This not only highlights your technical skills but also your ability to collaborate and share knowledge with others.

Senior UI Engineer - Objective-C/C++ (iOS/macOS) - Affinity
Canva

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