Linux Software Engineer - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon

About Canonical

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 breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as 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. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with over 1200 colleagues in more than 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.

The Opportunity: Linux Software Engineer - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon

Canonical’s Partner Engineering Team is seeking open-source enthusiasts to work across the full Linux stack. In this role, you will ensure new silicon technologies, including hardware accelerators, AI stacks, confidential computing, networking, virtualization, and containerization stacks, are optimized for emerging silicon architectures.

Partner Engineering collaborates closely with worldwide silicon companies to optimize Ubuntu for their new silicon, spanning x86, ARM, RISC-V, PowerPC, and s390x architectures.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively within a distributed team environment.
• Foster a robust software ecosystem that ensures a seamless user experience for all Ubuntu users.
• Evaluate contributions from other engineers to maintain high-quality software standards.
• Play a crucial role in shaping the future of Ubuntu by introducing new ideas and advising on ongoing projects.
• Engage with other teams within the Ubuntu and Debian communities, upstream projects, and commercially supported customers.
• Debug issues across open-source codebases and team-maintained code.
• Assist customers in integrating their applications and SDKs, building OS images, and optimizing applications with Ubuntu Core, Desktop, and Server.
• Work collaboratively to maintain Ubuntu, develop silicon features, and optimize silicon-specific packages across various platforms and technologies, including:
• Servers, HPC, and AI systems, IoT devices, PCs, SmartNICs, and automotive systems.
• AI stacks.
• Graphics, audio, and multimedia stacks.
• Virtualization and Containers.
• Hardware enablement stacks.
• New architectures, architecture variants, and optimized toolchains.
• Package management and dependencies.
• Platform security (secure boot, FDE, Ubuntu Core, Confidential Computing).

What We Are Looking For

• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university, or a compelling alternative path.
• Undergraduate degree in a technical subject.
• A genuine passion for technology and working with brilliant people.
• Curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable mindset.
• Strong appreciation for soft skills, coupled with being passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated.
• A value for building partnerships with diverse internal and external groups.
• Strong fundamentals in C, C++, and Python.
• Experience or keen interest in learning Linux distribution packaging.
• Experience or interest in open-source maintenance, contribution, and licenses.
• Fundamental understanding of package management and dependency resolution.

Additional Skills (Nice-to-Have)

• Experience with one or more of the following:
• Graphics, audio, or multimedia stacks.
• Virtualization and containers (Docker, OCI, Kubernetes).
• Hardware enablement for platforms and devices (SmartNICs, NVMe storage, GPUs, audio components, sensors).
• Performance optimization.
• Toolchain development and maintenance.
• Networking protocols and technologies (TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP/REST).
• Security best practices.
• IoT and embedded systems (board-level hardware, SoCs, BMCs, bootloaders, firmware, operating systems, applications, services).

What We Offer Colleagues

Canonical offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review (more often for graduates and associates).
• Performance-driven annual bonus or commission.
• 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 company events.

Key skills/competency

• Linux Kernel
• Ubuntu Optimization
• Open Source Development
• C/C++ Programming
• Python Scripting
• Silicon Integration
• Hardware Enablement
• Virtualization & Containers
• Package Management
• Platform Security