Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely utilized in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. As pioneers of global distributed collaboration, we maintain a team of over 1200 colleagues across more than 75 countries, with minimal office-based roles.
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The Ubuntu Engineering Server Team at Canonical is seeking open source enthusiasts to help build the future of the Ubuntu distribution. This role offers a unique opportunity for a software engineer who is passionate about open source software to contribute to evolving Ubuntu capabilities. The Server Team is responsible for maintaining and packaging a variety of software, including web servers, databases, and virtualization and containerization stacks.
Role Responsibilities:
- Collaborate proactively within a distributed team.
- Foster a software ecosystem that ensures seamless user experience for all Ubuntu users.
- Evaluate contributions from other engineers to uphold high-quality software standards.
- Shape the future of Ubuntu through new ideas and collaborative advising.
- Collaborate with Ubuntu and Debian communities, upstream projects, and commercially supported customers.
- Own the maintenance of Ubuntu Server packages, focusing on:
- Traditional server workloads (web servers, databases, etc.)
- Virtualization and containers
- Package management and dependencies
- Language runtimes and toolchains
Work Conditions:
- Work from home with global travel of 2 to 4 weeks annually for internal and external events.
What We Are Looking For:
- Passion for technology and collaboration with brilliant individuals.
- Curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
- Strong soft skills—passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated.
- Interest or experience in open source maintenance or contributions.
- Ability to replicate complex workloads and systems, and write detailed test plans.
- Proficient in multiple programming languages such as C/C++, Python, Rust, Go, Ruby, PHP.
- Experience in packaging within one or more ecosystems (e.g., Python wheels, Rust crates, Go modules, or equivalent distribution formats).
- Familiarity with containers and virtual machines.
- Bachelor's or equivalent degree in Computer Science, STEM, or related areas, or 5+ years of professional experience.
Language Requirements:
- Proficiency in English is required.
What We Offer:
- Competitive compensation with annual reviews.
- Performance-driven bonuses.
- Benefits that reflect our company values, including:
- Distributed work environment.
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
- Annual holiday and parental leave.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Opportunities for travel to meet colleagues and participate in events.
About Canonical:
Canonical is at the forefront of the global movement toward open source technology. As the publisher of Ubuntu, we are transforming the software landscape—joining us means contributing to not just a company, but a movement toward a more open future. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace free from discrimination, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
