Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu -Gen Silicon

Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very 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.

The company is founder‑led, profitable, and growing. We are hiring engineering managers who are passionate about operational systems, open source technologies and cutting‑edge hardware to lead engineering teams to enable and optimize Ubuntu for the latest x86, ARM, RISC‑V, s390x and POWER systems. We partner with the world's leading silicon vendors to optimise Ubuntu on their latest platforms and integrate next‑generation features and performance enhancements while ensuring a common operating experience for their users.

Engineering managers should be outstanding developers themselves, comfortable reviewing patches or software design specifications. They will drive healthy engineering practices, documentation, quality and performance optimisations, and lead their team to deliver high‑quality design and code. An engineering manager is also responsible for line management and career guidance; they must develop engineering talent, represent their team and product from a technical perspective, and drive collaboration with other teams and customers.

You will have the opportunity to influence culture, facilitate technical delivery, and work with your team on strategy and execution.

Location:

This is a globally remote role. We have open positions in every time zone.

• Lead and develop a team of engineers, ranging from graduate to senior
• Oversee commercial engagements and support timely delivery on agreed project milestones
• Participate as technical lead on complex customer engagements involving complete system architectures
• Implement disciplined engineering processes
• Integrate and maintain platform‑oriented software stacks
• Optimize Ubuntu for latest hardware platforms
• Display technical leadership internally and within our external communities
• Contribute to code reviews and technical documentation
• Be an active part of the leadership team, collaborating with other leaders

• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
• Fluency in C, C++, and Python
• Experience with Linux and operational systems software (e.g. kernel or user space)
• Experience with Debian/Ubuntu or other distro packaging
• Experience leading software engineering teams
• Professional written and spoken English
• Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation
• Thoughtfulness, and self‑motivation
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long

• Experience working with open source communities and licenses
• Computer architecture knowledge of x86, ARM, RISC‑V or s390x
• Understanding of build systems and tool chains, including for cross‑compilation
• Experience working with customers
• Experience with board bring‑up and validation
• Experience with Linux virtualization, networking or graphics stacks
• Experience with one or more of the following:
  Docker/OCI containers/K8s, confidential computing, RDMA, Infiniband and high performance computing
• Performance engineering, benchmarking and profiling

• 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 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.