Ubuntu Linux, already the most popular Linux distribution in the world, is looking to increase its adoption by expanding the number of System On Chip (SoC) platforms supported natively and further optimizing to ensure the highest performance for all users. There is a strong demand from silicon manufacturers such as NVIDIA, Xilinx, MediaTek, and Qualcomm to provide Ubuntu Linux to their customers, and Canonical is looking to broaden its silicon enablement squads to meet this challenge.
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The Canonical Kernel Team, responsible for the build, maintenance, and distribution of the Linux kernel for Ubuntu, seeks individuals with a strong flair for software development at the hardware level and a passion for ensuring optimal performance from silicon. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong aptitude for software engineering at the hardware level. While direct experience with the Linux kernel is a substantial advantage, it is not a hard requirement for candidates with prior backgrounds in other RTOS or bare-metal environments, provided they can demonstrate direct hardware experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate regularly with a globally distributed team.
- Work closely with silicon vendor partners to integrate their platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel.
- Diagnose and resolve kernel issues reported by partners, customers, and the community, as well as discovered through testing.
- Deliver distinct silicon-optimized variants of the Ubuntu Linux kernel.
- Improve tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing.
- Submit, review, and apply kernel patches with internal and external upstream maintainers.
- Identify new ways to maximize performance on partner silicon.
Requirements:
- Well-organized and motivated self-starter, thriving in a remote work environment.
- Professional communication in English, both written and verbal.
- Significant programming ability in C.
- Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, and hardware-level system engineering.
- Solid background with git and understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals.
- Ability to travel twice a year for company events lasting up to two weeks.
Additional Skills (Preferred):
- Python and Bash scripting ability.
- Background with major SoC families.
- Experience with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging.
- Demonstrated experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging.
- Understanding of performance optimization for silicon platforms.
What We Offer:
- Competitive compensation revisited annually to recognize outstanding performance, including a performance-driven annual bonus.
- Home-based work environment with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
- Annual compensation reviews, recognition rewards, maternity and paternity leave, Employee Assistance Programme, and travel opportunities for company events.
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. We expect excellence and recruit on a global basis. Canonical has been a remote-first company since 2004 and is proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination, promoting diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds.
