Software Engineering Manager; Backend SaaS

Software Engineering Manager (Backend SaaS)

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 in breakthrough initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1,200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office‑based roles.

We are hiring an engineering manager to lead the reboot of our Landscape systems management solution for Ubuntu. Landscape is a SaaS and on‑premise service that allows enterprises to manage policy, compliance, patch management, and access control across large Ubuntu estates.

As a manager, you will work closely with product managers to produce an engineering roadmap, collaborate with other engineering and business teams, and provide periodic updates on successes and areas for improvement. You must be technically strong, fluent in the languages and architecture used by your team (Python or Golang), and experienced in leading a high‑performing engineering culture.

• Build and lead a team of engineers in your region
• Develop talent through coaching, mentoring, feedback, and hands‑on career development
• Demonstrate sound engineering principles and directly contribute toward your team's goals
• Set and manage expectations with other engineering teams, management, and external stakeholders
• Lead modern, agile software development practices
• Ensure a healthy, collaborative engineering culture in line with the company values
• Be an active part of the leadership team and collaborate with other leaders in the organisation
• Build automated, highly reliable image delivery, testing and publication pipelines
• Engage with many other teams at Canonical, as well as the open source community and commercial partners
• Work from home with global travel 4‑6 weeks per year for internal and external events

• Track record of mentoring, developing, and growing people
• Deep knowledge and passion for software development
• Commitment to timely, high‑quality software delivery
• Experience with agile development methodologies
• Degree in Computer Science, STEM or related field
• Software development experience in Python or Golang
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Practical experience with Linux system administration

• 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
• Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
• 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 of software. We recruit on a global basis, set a very high standard for people joining the company, and most colleagues work from home.

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.