Ubuntu Engineering Lead

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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 for public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. We have more than 1,200 colleagues in 75+ countries and most of our work is remote.

Canonical is the publisher of Ubuntu, one of the most important open‑source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and cloud. We are a remote‑first company founded in 2004 and we recruit worldwide. We expect excellence and offer a career that challenges you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills and raise your game.

Remote roles are open in every time zone.

• Leading teams in elevating the Linux developer and user experience
• Designing, building and shipping high‑quality, performant software in Rust, Go and Python
• Demonstrating sound engineering principles through architecture, development and code reviews
• Planning, estimating and executing delivery
• Working with product management to define the vision and strategy for Ubuntu
• Setting expectations with other engineering teams, senior management, and external stakeholders
• Offering coaching, mentoring, technical feedback and hands‑on career development
• Contributing to upstream and neighboring open‑source projects
• Optimizing the distribution for performance, reliability, and security
• Debugging complex system‑level issues and delivering robust solutions
• Authoring and improving technical and community documentation

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about an alternative path
• Ability to drive and deliver technical work streams beyond expectations
• Lead and coach others to deliver outstanding engineering work
• 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
• Result‑oriented, with personal drive to meet commitments
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks each

• Experience contributing to or leading open‑source projects
• Experience with Linux distributions or distribution engineering
• Experience with software packaging and distribution mechanisms
• Performance or security engineering 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

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Software Development

Canonical is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives and background creates a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.