Linux Cryptography and Security Engineer

Linux Cryptography and Security Engineer

Join to apply for the Linux Cryptography and Security Engineer role at Canonical

This unique opportunity lets you use your software engineering and cryptography skills to build and maintain the security foundation that enables Ubuntu and its users to operate securely and remain compliant with international information security standards such as FIPS 140-3 and Common Criteria. You will use applied cryptography, Linux Security, and coding skills to enhance the Ubuntu distribution and work with organizations such as DISA and CIS to draft and implement security hardening benchmarks for Ubuntu.

As a member of the Security Hardening team you will develop automation tooling to audit deployed systems for DISA-STIG and CIS benchmark compliance, interact with internal and external stakeholders to identify gaps in our frameworks, and develop new solutions to address these challenges. In this role you will influence team and security culture, facilitate technical delivery, and help drive team direction and execution.

You will collaborate closely with Canonical's kernel team as well as the wider engineering organization to drive features impacting all Ubuntu users.

• Collaborate with other engineers in the Security Hardening team to achieve and retain various Security certifications
• Extend and enhance Linux cryptographic components (OpenSSL, Libgcrypt, GnuTLS, and others) with the features and functionality required for FIPS and CC certification
• Collaborate with external security consultants to test and validate kernel and crypto module components
• Work with external partners to develop security hardening benchmarks and audit + remediation automation for Ubuntu
• Contribute to Ubuntu mainline and upstream projects to land solutions and benefit the community
• Communicate and collaborate within and outside Canonical to identify opportunities to improve our security posture, rapidly resolve issues, and deliver high-quality solutions on schedule

• Hands‑on experience with low‑level Linux cryptography APIs and debugging
• Excellent software engineering fundamentals, including prior experience with C development, and the ability to demonstrate such
• Hands‑on experience with Linux system administration and shell scripting
• Demonstrated knowledge of security and cryptography fundamentals + direct experience writing secure code and implementing best practices
• Significant development experience working with open source libraries
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to enable efficient collaboration with internal and external partners in a remote‑first environment

• Prior experience working on FIPS/Common Criteria certified products and in‑depth knowledge of the underlying standards
• Prior experience working directly with DISA‑STIG or CIS benchmarks, including related audit + remediation tooling (e.g., Compliance as Code)
• Experience working directly with Linux Kernel
• Prior experience with Python, OVAL (Open Vulnerability Assessment Language), and Ansible
• History of contributions to open source projects

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 recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance‑driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

• Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person – we've been working remotely since 2004!
• 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 from your team and others
• Priority Pass for travel and travel upgrades for long haul company events

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