This position is open for applications to any team at the company that works with the Linux kernel, across all seniority levels. We are seeking exceptional software engineers eager to work on both stable and cutting-edge Linux kernels for Ubuntu and its broader ecosystem. The company has a large and rapidly growing kernel team responsible for all supported Ubuntu Linux kernels across a diverse array of hardware and use cases.
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Our team partners with major kernel contributors, particularly silicon companies, to ensure that their work reaches the widest possible audience promptly, backed by a 10-year enterprise security commitment. We emphasize hardware and virtualization enablement, security, reliability, and performance.
Kernel Team Projects Include:
- Ubuntu Linux kernel planning, execution, benchmarking, and stress testing
- Optimized kernels for key silicon and cloud partners
- Confidential computing and next-generation security primitives
- Developer platforms such as Raspberry Pi and RISC-V
- Enabling Ubuntu on various embedded systems
- Kernel Livepatch for critical kernel fixes without rebooting
- FIPS compliance
- Real-Time and Low Latency kernel variants
- Virtualization or abstraction engines, including container technology
- Security, focusing on AppArmor, SECCOMP, namespaces, etc.
- Networking, particularly performance and security
- Storage, with interest in Ceph and DRBD
We welcome candidates of all experience levels from recent graduates to seasoned industry experts, as long as they are enthusiastic about working across multiple areas like security mitigation, feature development, patching, and testing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
- Work closely with silicon, cloud, or hardware manufacturers
- Diagnose and resolve kernel issues
- Take personal responsibility for a variant of the Ubuntu Linux kernel
- Enhance tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing
- Submit, review, and apply kernel patches
What We Are Looking For:
- Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
- Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related STEM field
- Strong drive and a track record of exceeding expectations
- Well-organized, self-starter, able to meet deadlines
- Professional demeanor while interacting with colleagues, partners, and the community
- Effective communication skills in English, both written and oral
- Significant programming experience in C
- Solid background with git and broad knowledge of the Linux kernel
- Experience with kernel patching and debugging
- Understanding of Linux kernel upstream processes and release cycles
- Familiarity with device drivers and low-level system engineering
- Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)
Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring:
- Python and Bash scripting
- Previous experience with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
- Performance engineering and security experience
Compensation and Benefits:
- Competitive salary based on geographical location, experience, and performance
- Performance-driven annual bonus
- Learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards, annual holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave
- Employee Assistance Program
- Opportunity to travel for company events
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
About the company:
The company is a pioneering tech firm leading the global shift toward open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu, a fundamental open-source project and a platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are continuously changing the world. The company has been a fully remote company since its inception in 2004, fostering a high standard of excellence and diversity in the workplace. We are committed to a non-discriminatory hiring process and consider all applications fairly.
