Ubuntu Software Engineer

Ubuntu Software Engineer
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.
We are hiring engineers to work across the breadth of our Ubuntu Engineering organisation – engineers who care deeply for quality, performance and resilience in software, engineers who are just as comfortable with designing and engineering new software as they are with packaging, integrating, testing and shipping the incredible catalog of open source software provided by the Ubuntu repositories. Our engineers integrate the freshest open source software, provide robust upgrade paths and engineer the future of Ubuntu. Ubuntu is not just the world's most deployed open source operating system, it's a platform that enables innovation for millions of users across the globe.
Ubuntu Teams

Foundations: maintaining foundational software – architectures, package managers, compilers, toolchains, bootloaders, filesystems and core utilities
Server: leading the design, evolution and future of our Ubuntu Server distribution
Desktop: driving Ubuntu Desktop, our future immutable desktop – Ubuntu Core Desktop, WSL, gaming technology, and a suite of modern applications for the desktop crafted with Flutter
Debcrafters: a new team responsible for the forward movement, maintenance and overall health of the Ubuntu archive, one of the most abundant repositories of open source software available today

What You’ll Work On

Development – design, build and ship new foundational systems software and applications in Rust, Go, Flutter, and Python
Architecture – engineer the integration of open source from boot firmware to cloud applications deployment
Packaging – a combination of Debian and Snap packaging to ship software in the distribution
Automation – build and maintain the machinery responsible for building, testing and shipping Ubuntu
Distro Engineering – maintenance and evolution of a Linux distribution and its repositories

Responsibilities

Design, build and ship software in Rust, Go and Python
Package, integrate, test and upload open source software to the Ubuntu repositories
Debug system‑level issues and deliver robust solutions
Author and improve technical and community documentation
Contribute to upstream and neighboring open source projects
Collaborate as part of a globally distributed team
Mentor colleagues to build skills and understanding
Develop and improve processes to more efficiently fulfill our goals

What We’re Looking For

An exceptional academic track record
Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about an alternative path
Drive and a track record of going above and beyond expectations
A demonstrated passion for open source software
Significant experience with Rust, Go, Python, Flutter or C/C++
Professional written and spoken English
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

Nice‑to‑Have Skills

Experience with Linux distributions and distribution engineering
Experience with software packaging and distribution mechanisms
Understanding of build systems and toolchains, including for cross‑compilation
Performance or Security Engineering experience

Benefits

Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person
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 tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu – the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud – we are changing the world on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. Since its inception in 2004, Canonical has been a remote‑first company. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
Job Details

Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type: Full‑time
Job Function: Engineering and Information Technology
Industry: Software Development
Location: Remote – open in every time zone
Travel: Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

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