Ubuntu Engineering Lead

Overview

Canonical is a leading provider of open‑source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our flagship platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. With more than 1,200 colleagues in over 75 countries, Canonical is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, offering a fully remote workforce with occasional in‑person gatherings.

Canonical is founder‑led, profitable and growing. We are actively hiring engineering leaders to work across the breadth of the Ubuntu Engineering organisation, looking for individuals who are passionate about quality, performance and resilience in software and who have a proven ability to build, nurture and develop high‑performing engineering teams.

• Foundations
  : maintain core software including architectures, package managers, compilers, tool chains, bootloaders, file systems and utilities.
• Server
  : lead the design, evolution and future of the Ubuntu Server distribution.
• Desktop
  : drive the Ubuntu Desktop experience, including Ubuntu Core Desktop, WSL, gaming technology and a modern application suite built with Flutter.
• Debcrafters
  : maintain the Ubuntu archive, ensuring the health and forward movement of one of the largest open‑source software repositories.

• Lead engineering teams, prioritise work streams and manage release timelines for high‑quality software.
• Design, build and ship performant software written in Rust, Go, Python and other languages.
• Drive architectural decisions, code reviews and sound engineering practices.
• Plan, estimate and execute feature work in collaboration with product management.
• Set expectations for other engineering teams, senior management and external stakeholders.
• Coaching, mentoring and hands‑on career development for team members.
• Contribute to upstream and adjacent open‑source projects.
• Optimise Ubuntu for performance, reliability and security across distributions.
• Debug complex system‑level issues and deliver robust solutions.
• Author and improve technical and community documentation.

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, STEM or a compelling narrative about an alternative path.
• Proven ability to deliver technical work streams above expectations.
• Experience leading and coaching engineering teams.
• 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.

• Fully remote 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 and annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave and 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 company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open‑source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world daily. Canonical recruits worldwide and sets a very high standard for people joining the company.

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.