Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

Join Canonical as an Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement to expand support for System On Chip (SoC) platforms and optimize performance for NVIDIA, Xilinx, Media Tek, and Qualcomm silicon.

Ubuntu Linux, already the most popular Linux distribution in the world, is looking to increase its adoption by expanding the number of SoC platforms supported natively and further optimizing to ensure the highest performance experience for all users. The Canonical Kernel Team is looking for individuals strong in software development at the hardware level and passionate about achieving optimal performance on silicon.

• Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
• Work closely with silicon vendor partners to integrate their platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel
• Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel reported by partners, customers, the community, and discovered through rigorous testing
• Take responsibility for delivering silicon‑optimised variants of the Ubuntu Linux kernel worldwide
• Improve tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing
• Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with internal and external upstream maintainers
• Identify new means of maximising performance on partner silicon

• Well‑organised self‑starter able to thrive in a remote work environment
• Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open‑source community
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Significant programming ability in C
• Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, and other hardware‑level system engineering
• Solid background with git
• Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks

• Python and Bash scripting ability
• Prior background with major SoC families
• Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
• Demonstrated experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging
• Solid understanding of performance optimisation for silicon platforms

• Home‑based work environment with twice‑yearly in‑person team sprints
• 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 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, Canonical is changing the world daily. We recruit globally and set a very high standard for people joining the company, expecting excellence to succeed.

Canonical is a proud equal‑opportunity employer. We foster a workplace free from discrimination and celebrate diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.