Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Open Source
Canonical · APJ
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- Hybrid
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- APJ
Job highlights
- Lead Rust adoption across Canonical's offerings.
- Develop system-level software in Rust.
- Enhance Ubuntu as a Rust development platform.
- Work remotely in a global team.
- Drive innovation in Linux systems.
About the role
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. The company 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.
About the Role
We are hiring Rust Engineering Leads of all levels of experience to drive the adoption of this exciting language into the full range of Canonical offerings, starting with Ubuntu but also our own projects and open source offerings. We see Rust as an important new language for system level services and capabilities, and a natural evolution path for the sort of software that would traditionally have been written in C or C++. We believe that there is an opportunity to rethink the foundations of future Linux systems with Rust as a central driver of change in everything from the system firmware and embedded software, bootloaders, up through the kernel and input handling, all the way to the desktop.
We also want to ensure that Ubuntu is the very best platform for Rust development, offering easy access to the widest range of tooling and capabilities that support cutting edge open source and enterprise development.
This job posting is our general process for Rust engineers of all levels of seniority, for all relevant teams at Canonical. Apply here if you are an exceptional software engineer who prefers to work in Rust. After the first round of interviews we’ll find the best fit product team at Canonical for you to progress your application based on your personal interests.
Canonical has substantial projects in Python, Go, C, C++ and we are starting to invest in Rust. For front-end development we prefer React and Flutter.
Join us in our mission to deliver innovative open-source solutions to individuals and enterprises around the world. We expect the highest engineering standards and strong motivation to get things done well in a fully home-based and distributed environment. These roles require extensive personal experience with Linux - the more different versions of Linux the better!
Location
We have open roles for Rust engineers in every time zone.
What your day will look like
- 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 your users
- Participate in our engineering process through code and architectural reviews
- Collaborate with community and colleagues on technical specifications
- Seek improvements to engineering and operations practices
- In some cases, deploy and operate services developed by the team
- Contribute to the success of your product through technical advocacy
What we are looking for in you
- An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
- Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
- For more senior roles, experience building, deploying, and operating distributed systems and APIs
- Drive and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations
- Well-organised, self-starting and able to deliver to schedule
- Appreciative of diversity, polite and effective in a multi-cultural, multi-national organisation
- Professional manner interacting with colleagues, partners, and community
- Experience designing and writing high-quality Rust software on Linux
- Experience with and passion for Linux at the system level
- Professional written and spoken English
- The work ethic and confidence to shine alongside motivated colleagues
- Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability
- Passion, thoughtfulness, and self-motivation
- Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
- Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each
Nice-to-have skills we would value
- Experience developing for Ubuntu
- Experience with LXD, MicroK8s, SnapD, IoT, Juju, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Pro
- Performance engineering and security experience
What we offer colleagues
We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
- 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
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events
About Canonical
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 of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence; in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
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.
Key skills/competency
- Rust
- Linux
- Open Source
- System Programming
- Software Design
- Problem Solving
- Collaboration
- Technical Advocacy
- Distributed Systems
- Code Review
Skills & topics
- Rust Engineer
- Rust Developer
- Linux
- Open Source
- System Programming
- Software Engineering
- Canonical
- Ubuntu
- Remote
- Tech Lead
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight Rust experience and Linux system-level expertise. Quantify achievements.
- Showcase your passion: Emphasize contributions to open source projects and your interest in Rust.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Brush up on Rust, Linux internals, and system design principles.
- Demonstrate cultural fit: Be ready to discuss collaboration, diversity, and working in a distributed environment.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career progression for a Rust Engineering Lead at Canonical?
- Canonical offers growth opportunities based on performance and experience. As a Rust Engineering Lead, you can progress by taking on more complex projects, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to architectural decisions. Performance reviews and annual compensation reviews are in place to recognize and reward your contributions and career advancement.
- How does Canonical support professional development for its Rust engineers?
- Canonical provides a personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year. This can be used for courses, conferences, books, or other resources to enhance your skills in Rust, Linux, and other relevant technologies. The company encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement.
- What is the interview process like for the Rust Engineering Lead role at Canonical?
- The interview process typically starts with a screening, followed by a first round of interviews. Based on your interests and skills, you will then be matched with a specific product team at Canonical for further evaluation. The process assesses both technical proficiency in Rust and Linux, as well as your alignment with Canonical's collaborative and distributed work culture.
- Does Canonical have specific requirements for academic background for Rust Engineering Leads?
- Canonical looks for an exceptional academic track record from both high school and university. While an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM is preferred, they also consider candidates with a compelling narrative about an alternative path. For senior roles, practical experience is highly valued.
- What are the expectations for working in a distributed environment at Canonical?
- Canonical is a pioneer in distributed collaboration with most colleagues working from home since 2004. You are expected to be well-organized, self-starting, and deliver to schedule. While most work is remote, there are opportunities for in-person team sprints two to four times yearly in interesting locations around the world.
- How does Canonical handle compensation for its global remote workforce?
- Canonical considers geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. They conduct annual compensation reviews to ensure recognition of outstanding performance and provide a performance-driven annual bonus or commission in addition to base pay.