Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Source

Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Open Source

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 public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. We have 1200+ colleagues in more than 75 countries and operate with a founder‑led, profitable, and rapidly growing model.

We are hiring Rust Engineering Leads of all levels to drive the adoption of Rust across Canonical’s products, starting with Ubuntu and expanding to other projects and open‑source offerings. Rust is a key language for system‑level services and is poised to replace many C/C++ components in firmware, embedded software, bootloaders, kernel, input handling, and the desktop.

• Design and implement well‑tested and well‑documented software in Rust.
• Advocate for Rust adoption in Canonical and upstream projects.
• Identify projects and codebases that could be prioritized for Rust adoption.
• Debug and fix issues encountered by users.
• Participate in engineering processes through code and architectural reviews.
• Collaborate with community and colleagues on technical specifications.
• Seek improvements to engineering and operations practices.
• Deploy and operate services developed by the team in some cases.
• Contribute to the success of the product through technical advocacy.

• An exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about an alternative path.
• Experience building, deploying, and operating distributed systems and APIs for senior roles.
• A track record of going above and beyond expectations.
• Well‑organized, self‑starting, and able to deliver on schedule.
• Appreciative of diversity, polite and effective in a multicultural, multinational organisation.
• Professional manner when interacting with colleagues, partners, and the community.
• Experience designing and writing high‑quality Rust software on Linux.
• Passion for Linux at the system level.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• The work ethic and confidence to shine alongside motivated colleagues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Passion, thoughtfulness, and self‑motivation.
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks each.

• Experience developing for Ubuntu.
• Experience with LXD, Micro
  
  K8s, SnapD, IoT, Juju, Ubuntu Core, and Ubuntu Pro.
• Performance engineering and security experience.

• 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.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu – one of the most important open‑source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud – we are transforming the software world. We recruit on a global basis and hold a very high standard for people joining the company.

Working here is a step into the future that challenges you to think differently and learn new skills.

Canonical is an equal‑opportunity employer. We foster a workplace free from discrimination, valuing diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds. Regardless of your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.