Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Source

Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Open Source

Join Canonical as a Rust Engineering Lead. We are seeking an exceptional software engineer who prefers to work in Rust and has extensive experience with Linux. Your day will include designing, implementing, and maintaining well‑tested Rust software; advocating Rust adoption within Canonical and upstream projects; identifying and prioritising codebases for Rust integration; and collaborating on technical specifications and engineering practices. We operate in a fully home‑based, distributed environment and value high engineering standards and strong motivation to deliver results.

Canonical is a leading provider of open‑source software and operating systems, best known for Ubuntu. We deliver solutions for public cloud, AI, IoT, and enterprise markets worldwide. Canonical is founder‑led, profitable, and growing, with 1200+ colleagues across 75+ countries. We prioritize open, inclusive collaboration and strive to keep our teams distributed while meeting in person twice a year.

• Design and implement well‑tested and well‑documented software in Rust.
• Advocate for Rust adoption in Canonical and upstream projects.
• Identify projects and codebases that could be prioritised for Rust adoption.
• Debug and fix issues encountered by users.
• Participate in engineering processes through code and architectural reviews.
• Collaborate with the community and colleagues on technical specifications.
• Seek improvements to engineering and operations practices.
• Deploy and operate services developed by the team, where necessary.
• Contribute to the success of the product through technical advocacy.

• An exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or an equivalent narrative.
• For more senior roles, experience building, deploying, and operating distributed systems and APIs.
• Track record of exceeding expectations.
• Well‑organised, self‑starting, and able to deliver on schedule.
• Appreciative of diversity and effective in a multicultural, multinational environment.
• Professional manner when interacting with colleagues, partners, and community.
• Experience designing and writing high‑quality Rust software on Linux.
• Passion for Linux at the system level.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Strong work ethic, confidence, and curiosity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, and accountability.
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments.
• Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each.

• Experience developing for Ubuntu.
• Experience with LXD, Micro
  
  K8s, SnapD, IoT, Juju, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Pro.
• Performance engineering and security experience.

• Distributed 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 leading the global shift to open source. We publish Ubuntu, one of the most important open‑source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and cloud. We recruit globally and uphold a very high standard for people joining the company. Most colleagues work from home, and we challenge you to think differently and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal‑opportunity employer. We proudly foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspective, and background creates a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.