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 very 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. Canonical is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ 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. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer, 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, your application will receive fair consideration.

The Role: 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. This role focuses on ensuring new silicon technologies, including hardware accelerators, AI stacks, confidential computing, networking, virtualization, and containerization stacks, are optimized for next-generation silicon. 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 software ecosystem that provides a seamless user experience for all Ubuntu users.
• Evaluate contributions from other engineers to maintain high-quality software standards.
• Play a role in shaping the future of Ubuntu through new ideas and advising on ongoing work.
• Collaborate with other teams in the Ubuntu and Debian communities, upstream projects, and commercially supported customers.
• Debug issues on open source code and team-maintained codebases.
• Assist customers in integrating their applications, SDKs, building OS images, and optimizing applications with Ubuntu Core, Desktop, and Server.
• Work with a team to maintain Ubuntu, silicon features, and silicon-optimized packages across various platforms and technologies, including:
• Servers, HPC, 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)

This is a globally remote role, with global travel for 2 to 4 weeks annually for internal events.

What We Are Looking For In You

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

Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring

• 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, including SmartNICs, NVMe storage, GPUs, audio components, and sensors
• Performance optimization
• Toolchain development and maintenance
• Networking protocols and technologies (TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP/REST)
• Security best practices
• IoT and embedded systems, including board-level hardware, SoCs, BMCs, bootloaders, firmware, operating systems, applications, and services

What We Offer Colleagues

Canonical considers geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. Compensation is revisited annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure outstanding performance is recognized. In addition to base pay, a performance-driven annual bonus or commission is offered. All team members receive additional benefits reflecting Canonical’s values and ideals, with programs balanced to meet local needs and ensure global fairness.

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person.
• 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 company events.

Key skills/competency

• Linux
• Ubuntu
• C/C++
• Python
• Open Source
• Silicon Optimization
• Virtualization
• Containers
• AI Stacks
• Hardware Enablement