Linux Software Engineer - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon (multiple roles and seniority levels) at Canonical

Overview

Canonical is seeking passionate Linux Software Engineers for its Partner Engineering Team to optimize Ubuntu for next-generation silicon technologies. This is a globally remote role, open to various seniority levels. You will work across the full Linux stack, ensuring new hardware accelerators, AI stacks, confidential computing, networking, virtualization, and containerization are optimized for diverse silicon architectures, including x86, ARM, RISC-V, PowerPC, and s390x.

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems, with Ubuntu widely used in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. The company fosters a global distributed collaboration model with over 1200 colleagues in 75+ countries, with infrequent office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times annually in person for strategy and execution alignment.

The Role Entails

• Collaborating proactively within a distributed team environment.
• Fostering a seamless software ecosystem and user experience for all Ubuntu users.
• Evaluating contributions from other engineers to maintain high-quality software standards.
• Playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of Ubuntu through new ideas and advising on ongoing work.
• Collaborating with various teams within the Ubuntu and Debian communities, upstream projects, and commercially supported customers.
• Debugging issues in open source code and team-maintained codebases.
• Assisting customers with application integration, SDKs, OS image building, and optimizing applications with Ubuntu Core, Desktop, and Server.
• Working with a team to maintain Ubuntu, silicon features, and silicon-optimized packages across diverse platforms and technologies.
• Working from home with global travel 2 to 4 weeks per year for internal events.

What We Are Looking For In You

• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
• An undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling alternative career path narrative.
• A strong passion for technology and collaborating with brilliant individuals.
• Curiosity, flexibility, strong articulation skills, and accountability.
• Appreciation for soft skills, coupled with being passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated.
• A commitment to building strong partnerships with diverse internal and external groups.
• Strong fundamentals in C, C++, and Python programming languages.
• Experience or keen interest in learning Linux distribution packaging.
• Experience or interest in open source maintenance, contribution, and understanding licenses.
• A fundamental understanding of package management and dependency resolution.

Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring

• Experience with one or more of the following technologies (specifics omitted in original, so kept generic here).

What We Offer Colleagues

Canonical values its global team and offers competitive compensation, considering geographical location, experience, and performance. Compensation is reviewed annually to recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, a performance-driven annual bonus or commission is offered. Benefits are balanced to meet local needs and ensure global fairness, including:

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review.
• Recognition rewards.
• Annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events.

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering technology firm at the forefront of the global open source movement. As the publisher of Ubuntu, a critical open source project and platform for AI, IoT, and cloud, Canonical is actively shaping the world. The company recruits globally, seeking individuals who demonstrate excellence. Canonical has operated as a remote-first company since its inception in 2004, offering a challenging environment that encourages innovative thinking, smarter work, continuous learning, and elevated performance.

Canonical is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Canonical is committed to fostering a workplace free from discrimination. The company values diversity of experience, perspectives, and background, believing it leads to a better work environment and superior products. All applications receive fair consideration regardless of identity.