Software Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel
Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
Listed on 2026-01-03
-
Software Development
DevOps, Software Engineer
Software Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel
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. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1,200+ 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.
Canonical is founder‑led, profitable, and growing. We are hiring Software Engineering Managers to lead technical teams in the delivery and ongoing support of all Linux kernels provided by the Ubuntu Linux distribution. As the kernel scope is broad, the technical domains range from integrating bleeding‑edge hardware support to expanding execution environments, to applying the latest fixes and updates across ~100 supported Ubuntu kernels during Stable Release Update cycles.
This role is suitable for an experienced manager of high‑performing software development teams or a proficient technical lead ready to assume management responsibilities. Passion for Linux and a desire to be integral to a distribution impacting millions of users worldwide are essential.
As an Engineering Manager at Canonical, your primary responsibility is to your team: helping them grow as engineers, performing important and satisfying work, and having a great time while doing it. Technical leadership experience and a background in software engineering are prerequisites. You will lead, challenge, and develop strong engineers, positively influence culture, facilitate technical delivery, and collaborate on strategy and execution.
Location: Working from home, worldwide. Kernel teams are distributed; no office presence in Taipei, Taiwan, relieving any office‑pressure constraints.
The role entails- Leading a distributed team of software engineers in your geographic region on distinct aspects of delivering all Ubuntu Linux kernels.
- Taking ownership of specific Ubuntu Linux areas, which may include but are not limited to:
- Working with silicon or cloud partners to implement kernels optimized for their execution environments.
- Ensuring Ubuntu Linux runs on a diverse range of hardware platforms.
- Defining and executing stringent quality control standards expected by the Ubuntu user community.
- Mitigating the latest security threats and exploits to the Linux kernel.
- Implementing strong process automation related to build, test, and delivery pipelines.
- Engaging with other teams at Canonical, the open‑source community, and commercial partners.
- Significant programming experience in C; proficiency in Python, Golang, or similar languages is highly regarded.
- Substantial experience with operating system kernel internals and concepts (Linux experience is a plus but not essential).
- Proven experience managing or leading a team of software engineers.
- Ability to coordinate between multiple distinct teams to achieve common goals.
- Familiarity with version control practices, ideally with Git.
- Prior experience developing with software packaging formats (direct Ubuntu/Debian/Snap experience is a plus).
- Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
- Willingness to travel internationally twice a year for company events, up to two weeks long.
- Experience with kernel patching and debugging.
- Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, and other low‑level system engineering.
- Solid background in driving CI/CD and process automation initiatives.
- Prior public involvement with an open‑source project.
- Distributed work environment with bi‑annual team sprints in person.
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
- Annual compensation review and performance‑driven annual bonus or commission.
- Recognition rewards and 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…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).