Software Maintenance Engineer

Software Maintenance Engineer

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 public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. Canonical is founder‑led, profitable, and growing, with more than 1,200 colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office‑based roles.

We are hiring a Software Maintenance Engineer to work in a dynamic Linux‑based infrastructure and application engineering role, covering all layers of the stack: bare metal, virtualization (KVM), containerization (Docker/LXC/LXD), storage (Ceph, Linux file systems), networking (OVS, OVN, Core networking), Open Stack, Kubernetes and the open source applications that run on top of them. The role requires a broad engineering skill set and the ability to work at any level of the stack, including kernel and a variety of programming languages.

Key responsibilities include:

• Resolve complex customer problems related to Ubuntu, Kernel, Ceph, Open Stack, Kubernetes and other open source software.
• Maintain a close working relationship with Canonical’s Field, Support and Product Engineering teams.
• Participate in upstream communities, develop bug fixes, backport patches, and work with upstream for inclusion.
• Review code produced by other engineers.
• Demonstrate good judgment in technical methods and techniques.
• Prioritize work and manage time effectively against those priorities.
• Participate in team discussions to improve processes, tools and documentation.
• Maintain clear, technical and concise communications.
• Work from home and travel internationally up to 10% of work time for team meetings, events and conferences.

What we are looking for:

• Exceptional academic track record.
• Background in Computer Science, STEM or similar field.
• Strong experience with Linux and open source software.
• Experience with at least one of Python, Go, C or C++ on Linux.
• A drive to learn unfamiliar technology and deep‑dive difficult issues.
• Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events.

Nice‑to‑have skills:

• Passion for technology and working with brilliant people.
• Curiosities, flexibility, articulation and accountability.
• Soft skills, enterprising, thoughtful and self‑motivated.
• Interest or willingness to learn about Ubuntu kernel, Kubernetes, Open Stack, Ceph, QEMU/KVM, LXC/LXD, Postgre
  
  SQL, Mongo
  
  DB, Debian packaging, distributed systems.

Benefits and compensation:

• Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review and recognition rewards.
• Annual holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme & Wellness Platform.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

Location:

This is a remote role with teams in all time zones.

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.