We are seeking an experienced software engineer who is passionate about Linux systems, hardware architectures, Ubuntu, and the open source community. Join the Ubuntu Foundations Engineering team to maintain and enhance the Ubuntu bootloader stack, ensuring fast, reliable, and secure Ubuntu systems across all devices and in the cloud.
The boot process is critical to any operating system, where stability, reliability, and security are paramount. Its efficiency contributes to Ubuntu's success, from Desktop and Server to Cloud environments. We are expanding our Foundations team to focus on this essential function and are looking for individuals who are passionate about lower-level technologies—from hardware to firmware to Linux—while being involved in operating system startup.
Applicants should be comfortable working with Secure Boot, Measured Boot, Full Disk Encryption, and other modern operating system boot technologies. This is highly technical work, requiring a rigorous and systematic approach to software, critical to system security and reliability.
As part of the Ubuntu Foundations Team, you will help deliver and maintain the core of the Ubuntu system, the base for the entire Ubuntu family of products and services. We strive to provide the latest and best free software components, packaged in an easy-to-use and highly reliable form. Building on the technical excellence of Debian, we add focus and shape to the solutions we offer the industry.
Location: Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Remote)
Work Conditions: Full-time, Remote work with global travel required 2 to 4 weeks a year for internal and external events.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate proactively with a distributed team.
- Work with a highly technical team to define and shape the boot architecture of Ubuntu.
- Collaborate with teams focused on Ubuntu for server, desktop, IoT, and cloud.
- Write high-quality code to create new features and contribute to upstream projects.
- Address feature requests and bug fixes in projects including Grub, shim, u-boot, and associated tools.
- Debug issues and produce high-quality fixes.
- Review code produced by other engineers.
- Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding effective solutions.
Valued Skills, Approach, and Experience:
- Development experience with early boot software like TF-A, OP-TEE, U-Boot, shim, GRUB, or the Linux kernel.
- Experience on non-x86 platforms such as ARM or RISC-V.
- A love of technology and working with brilliant people.
- Motivated, curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable.
- A long-time Linux user with broad interests in the future of Linux.
- Interest in learning how to package software for Debian and Ubuntu.
- Bachelor’s or equivalent in Computer Science, STEM, or a similar degree.
- Enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated.
What Canonical Offers:
- Personal learning and development budget.
- Annual compensation review.
- Recognition rewards.
- Annual leave.
- Priority Pass for travel.
Canonical is a growing international software company that works with the open-source community to deliver Ubuntu, the world's best free software platform. We help businesses worldwide reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance security with Ubuntu. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace free from discrimination, valuing diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds to create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we give fair consideration to all applications.
