Software Support Engineer

Software Support 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 enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders across many sectors. With 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries, Canonical emphasizes global distributed collaboration with a small number of office‑based roles.

Teams meet two to four times a year in person at interesting locations around the world to align on strategy and execution.

We are hiring a Software Support Engineer to work in a dynamic engineering role focused on Linux‑based infrastructure and applications. The role covers all layers of the stack—including bare metal, virtualization (KVM), containerization (Docker/LXC/LXD), storage (Ceph, Linux file systems), networking (OVS, OVN, Core), Open Stack, Kubernetes, and the open‑source applications running on top of them. This position challenges engineers to extend their expertise across almost any aspect of Ubuntu and the open‑source applications that large enterprise customers run.

The role deals with critical issues in the open‑source stack that require upstream bug fixes. Engineers work productively at any level, from the kernel to application technologies, in a variety of languages to understand and address software issues. The group is critical to the success of our customers, partners, and Ubuntu itself.

You will help troubleshoot problems, drive issues to resolution with workarounds, guidance, and bug fixes released upstream and in Ubuntu.

Location:

This is a remote role. Teams span all time zones.

• Resolve complex customer problems related to Ubuntu, Kernel, Ceph, Open Stack, Kubernetes, or other open‑source software
• Maintain close working relationships with Canonical’s Field, Support and product engineering teams
• Participate in upstream communities
• Develop bug fixes, backport patches, and work with upstream for inclusion
• Review code produced by other engineers
• Demonstrate good judgment in technical methods and techniques
• Prioritize work and manage time effectively against those priorities
• Participate in team discussions to improve processes, tools, and documentation
• Maintain clear, technical and concise communications
• Work from home and travel internationally up to 10% of work time for team meetings, events, and conferences

• An exceptional academic track record
• Background in Computer Science, STEM, or similar
• Experience with Linux and open‑source software
• Experience with at least one of Python, Go, C or C++ on Linux
• A drive to learn unfamiliar technology and deep‑dive difficult issues
• Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events

• You love technology and working with brilliant people
• You are curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable
• You value soft skills and are passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self‑motivated
• You have interest in, or willingness to learn about, any of the following:
  Ubuntu Linux – kernel or userspace, Kubernetes, Open Stack, Ceph, QEMU/KVM, LXC/LXD, Postgre
  
  SQL, Mongo, Debian packaging, distributed systems

We consider geographical location, experience and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance‑driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits that reflect our values and ideals, balancing programs to meet local needs and ensuring fairness globally.

• 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
• Employee Assistance Programme & Wellness Platform
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events

Canon…