About the Job:
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems, primarily through its platform, Ubuntu. The company supports various enterprise initiatives including public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. As a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, Canonical employs over 1200 colleagues in 75+ countries, with minimal office-based roles and in-person team meetings occurring two to four times a year in various locations.
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We are hiring Software Engineering Managers to lead technical teams in the delivery, support, and maintenance of all Linux kernels within the Ubuntu Linux distribution. You will oversee challenges ranging from integrating support for cutting-edge hardware to applying the latest updates across more than 100 active Ubuntu Linux kernels. This role is suitable for either experienced managers of high-performing software development teams or proficient technical leads ready to take on management responsibilities. A passion for Linux and a desire to contribute to its distribution to millions of users globally is essential.
As an Engineering Manager, your primary responsibility is to support your team in their growth, ensuring they perform important work while enjoying the process. Essential qualifications include technical leadership experience and a solid background in software engineering. You are expected to lead, develop, and challenge strong engineers, positively influence the team culture, facilitate technical delivery, and collaborate on strategy and execution.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead a distributed team of software engineers in delivering Linux kernels for the Ubuntu distribution.
- Take ownership of specific aspects of Ubuntu Linux, which may involve:
- Collaborating with silicon or cloud partners to optimize Linux kernels.
- Ensuring compatibility with diverse hardware platforms.
- Defining and executing quality control standards.
- Addressing security threats and kernel exploits.
- Automating build, test, and delivery processes.
Requirements:
- Significant programming experience in C; experience with Python, Golang, or similar languages is valued.
- Substantial knowledge of operating system kernel internals (Linux preferred).
- Demonstrated experience in managing or leading software engineering teams.
- Ability to coordinate among diverse technical teams.
- Familiarity with version control practices, ideally using git.
- Experience with software packaging formats, ideally with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap.
- Professional written and spoken English with strong presentation skills.
- Availability for international travel twice a year for company events.
Nice-to-Have Skills:
- Experience with kernel patching and debugging.
- Knowledge of device drivers and low-level system engineering.
- Background in driving CI/CD and process automation.
- Prior involvement with open source projects.
What We Offer:
- Competitive compensation based on geographic location, experience, and performance.
- Performance-driven annual bonuses or commissions.
- A personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
- Annual compensation review and recognition rewards.
- Holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave, and a Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform.
- Opportunities to travel and meet colleagues at team sprints, with travel upgrades for long-haul events.
About Canonical:
Canonical is at the forefront of the global open source movement, publishing Ubuntu, a crucial platform for AI, IoT, and cloud technologies. We maintain high standards in our recruitment process and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace, welcoming applications from all backgrounds.
