Ubuntu Engineering Lead

Overview

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Its flagship platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. With over 1,200 colleagues across 75+ countries, Canonical is founder‑led, profitable, and growing. The role of Ubuntu Engineering Lead is to guide technical teams and drive quality, performance, and resilience in software across Ubuntu’s engineering organization.

You will be accountable for your technical roadmap and for guiding your team to grow as engineers, deliver satisfying work, and enjoy the process. Your core responsibilities include:

• 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
• Taking responsibility for planning, estimation, and execution
• 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

• 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
• Ability to drive and deliver technical work streams above expectations
• Lead and coach others to deliver exceptional engineering work
• A 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 a 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 and 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 and performance‑driven bonus
• 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

Remote roles open in every time zone.

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open‑source projects, we are changing the world daily. Canonical recruits globally, maintains high standards, and operates as a remote‑first company since 2004.

Canonical is an equal‑opportunity employer. We 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.