Ubuntu Software 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 a founder‑led, profitable, growing company with 1,200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and almost no office‑based roles.

Teams meet two to four times a year in person in interesting locations around the world to align on strategy and execution.

We are hiring engineers to work across the breadth of our Ubuntu Engineering organization. Engineers are expected to care deeply for quality, performance and resilience in software, and to be comfortable designing and engineering new software as well as packaging, integrating, testing and shipping the rich catalog of open source software that makes up the Ubuntu repositories.

• Foundations
  : maintaining foundational software such as architectures, package managers, compilers, tool chains, bootloaders, file systems and core utilities.
• Server
  : leading the design, evolution and future of our Ubuntu Server distribution.
• Desktop
  : driving Ubuntu Desktop, including Ubuntu Core Desktop, WSL, gaming technology and modern applications crafted with Flutter.
• Debcrafters
  : a new team responsible for the forward movement, maintenance and overall health of the Ubuntu archive.

• Design, build and ship new foundational systems software and applications in Rust, Go, Flutter, and Python.
• Engineer the integration of open source from firmware to cloud applications deployment.
• Package software using Debian and Snap packaging to ship it in the distribution.
• Build and maintain the automation machinery that builds, tests and ships Ubuntu.
• Maintain and evolve a Linux distribution and its repositories.
• Debug system‑level issues and deliver robust solutions.
• Author and improve technical and community documentation.
• Contribute to upstream and neighboring open source projects.
• Collaborate as part of a globally distributed team.
• Mentor colleagues to develop skills and understanding.
• Improve processes to efficiently fulfill our goals.

We have remote roles open in every time zone.

• An exceptional academic track record.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling alternative path.
• Drive and a track record of exceeding expectations.
• A demonstrated passion for open source software.
• Significant experience with Rust, Go, Python, Flutter or C/C++.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks each.

• Experience with Linux distributions and distribution engineering.
• Experience with software packaging and distribution mechanisms.
• Understanding of build systems and tool chains, including cross‑compilation.
• Performance or security engineering 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.
• Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul 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 on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company.

Canonical has been a remote‑first company since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, challenging you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills and raise your game.

We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background creates a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.