Ubuntu Sales Engineer (Entry-Level)
Canonical · APJ
- Remote
- Full-time
- $75,000 / year
Job highlights
- Be an Ubuntu Pro Sales Engineer for Canonical.
- Help global companies adopt Linux and open source.
- Solve customer problems during presales.
- Work with enterprise sales leads globally.
- Travel for internal events and customer meetings.
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 1000+ colleagues in 70+ countries and very few roles based in offices. 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.
The Role
We are hiring an Ubuntu Pro Sales Engineer to help global companies embrace the latest and greatest Linux and open source applications. Our team applies expert insights to real-world customer problems, enabling the enterprise adoption of Ubuntu Pro, OpenStack and Canonical Microcloud, Kubernetes and a wide range of associated technology. The people who love this role are software engineers who enjoy customer conversations and solving customer problems during the presales cycle. Ubuntu is used by pretty much every enterprise in the world, in every industry. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the open source technology landscape and develop your business technology insights. You will see first hand in various industries how Linux - and Ubuntu in particular - is shaping innovation and changing the world for the better.
This role is particularly suited to candidates with a technical background who are business minded and driven by commercial success. This role is on our global Field Engineering team and will work closely with enterprise sales leads.
Location
Most of our colleagues work from home. We are growing teams in EMEA, Americas and APAC time zones, so can accommodate candidates from almost any country.
What your day will look like
- Collect customer business requirements and advise them on Ubuntu and relevant open source applications.
- Identify customer challenges with open source and articulate how Ubuntu Pro could help solve them.
- Deliver presentations and demonstrations of Ubuntu Pro to prospective and current clients.
- Liaise with product teams to give them feedback on requirements to influence roadmap.
- Work collaboratively with your sales team to reach our common targets.
- Global travel up to 25% of time for internal and external events and 25% to customer meetings.
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.
- Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation.
- Track record of going above-and-beyond expectations to achieve outstanding results.
- Demonstrated personal interest in continuous learning and development.
- Practical knowledge of Linux, virtualisation, containers and networking.
- Business-minded technology thinker and problem solver.
- Knowledge of cloud computing concepts & leaders, such as Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, GCP.
- Intermediate level Python programming skills.
- Passion for technology evidenced by personal projects and initiatives.
- The work ethic and confidence to shine alongside motivated colleagues.
- Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
- Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred).
- Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
- A dynamic person who loves to jump in new projects and interact with people.
- Appreciative of diversity, polite and effective in a multi-cultural, multi-national organisation.
- Thoughtfulness and self-motivation.
- Result-oriented, with a personal drive to follow up and meet commitments.
- Ability to travel internationally, for company events up to two weeks long, and customer or industry meetings.
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 its 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
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
- Ubuntu Sales Engineer
- Linux
- Open Source
- Cloud Computing
- Kubernetes
- Sales Engineering
- Presales
- Enterprise Software
- Customer Requirements
- Technical Presentations
Skills & topics
- Ubuntu
- Sales Engineer
- Linux
- Open Source
- Cloud Computing
- Kubernetes
- Presales
- Enterprise Sales
- Field Engineering
- Entry-Level
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your technical background, business acumen, and any experience with Linux, cloud computing, or Python. Showcase academic achievements and personal projects.
- Craft a compelling cover letter: Emphasize your passion for open source technology, your problem-solving skills, and your drive for commercial success. Explain how your alternative path is compelling.
- Prepare for technical and behavioral interviews: Be ready to discuss your understanding of Linux, virtualization, containers, networking, and cloud concepts. Prepare examples demonstrating your ability to go above and beyond, continuous learning, and collaboration.
- Showcase your passion: Highlight personal projects, contributions to open source, or any initiatives that demonstrate your interest in technology and continuous learning.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical career path for an Entry-Level Ubuntu Sales Engineer at Canonical?
- As an Entry-Level Ubuntu Sales Engineer at Canonical, your career path will involve deepening your expertise in Ubuntu Pro and associated technologies. You'll progress by successfully driving enterprise adoption, building strong customer relationships, and collaborating effectively with sales teams. Opportunities for advancement could lead to senior Sales Engineer roles, team lead positions, or specialized roles within Canonical's broader field engineering or sales organizations, depending on your performance and interests.
- Does Canonical provide training for the Ubuntu Sales Engineer role?
- Yes, Canonical is committed to continuous learning and development. While an undergraduate degree in a technical subject is preferred, they also value a compelling narrative about alternative paths. The company offers a personal learning and development budget and expects candidates to have a demonstrated personal interest in continuous learning. You can expect ongoing training and resources to stay current with Ubuntu Pro and related open-source technologies.
- What is Canonical's approach to remote work and team collaboration for the Ubuntu Sales Engineer position?
- Canonical is a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, with most colleagues working from home. The Ubuntu Sales Engineer role is remote, accommodating candidates from almost any country. While the team operates primarily remotely, there are in-person team sprints two to four times a year in interesting global locations to foster alignment and collaboration.
- What are the key technical skills required for an Ubuntu Sales Engineer at Canonical?
- Key technical skills for an Ubuntu Sales Engineer include practical knowledge of Linux (Ubuntu preferred), virtualization, containers, and networking. Familiarity with cloud computing concepts and leaders like Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, and GCP is essential. Intermediate Python programming skills and a passion for large-scale enterprise open source, machine learning, AI, data, and analytics are also important.
- How does Canonical assess candidates for the Ubuntu Sales Engineer role, especially regarding academic records and alternative paths?
- Canonical looks for an exceptional academic track record, but also values a compelling narrative about alternative chosen paths. This means they consider not just formal education but also demonstrable passion, self-learning, and practical experience. They seek candidates with a strong work ethic, confidence, and a track record of going above and beyond expectations, regardless of their specific educational background.