Software Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel

3 Hours ago • All levels

Job Summary

Job Description

Canonical is seeking Software Engineering Managers to lead technical teams focused on the delivery, support, and maintenance of Linux kernels for the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Responsibilities include leading distributed teams, taking ownership of specific aspects of Ubuntu Linux such as optimizing kernels, ensuring compatibility with diverse hardware, maintaining quality control, and mitigating security threats. The role involves collaboration with other teams, the open source community, and commercial partners. The ideal candidate will have experience in C, kernel internals, team management, and version control practices. As an Engineering Manager at Canonical, your primary responsibility is to your team: helping them grow as engineers, do important and satisfying work, and have a great time while doing it.
Must have:
  • Significant programming experience in C.
  • Experience managing or leading software engineers.
  • Coordinate between distinct technical teams.
  • Familiarity with version control practices (git).
  • Professional written and spoken English.
Good to have:
  • Experience with kernel patching and debugging.
  • Grasp of device drivers and low-level system engineering.
  • Background in driving CI/CD and process automation.
  • Prior public involvement with an open source project.
Perks:
  • Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
  • Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
  • Annual compensation review
  • Recognition rewards
  • Annual holiday leave
  • Maternity and paternity leave
  • Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
  • Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
  • Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events

Job Details

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.

 

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.

 

We are hiring Software Engineering Managers to lead technical teams in the various aspects of the delivery and ongoing support and maintenance of all Linux kernels provided by the Ubuntu Linux distribution.  As the Linux kernel itself is now quite broad, so are the technical domains and challenges involved, ranging from integrating support for bleeding-edge hardware into the latest Ubuntu kernels, to expanding the range of execution environments available to Ubuntu, to the complexities inherent in applying the latest fixes and updates to all of the >100 Ubuntu Linux kernels under active support during our Stable Release Update cycles. 

This role would suit either an experienced manager of high performing software development teams, or a very proficient technical lead who is excited to take on a management responsibility. You will need to be passionate about Linux and aspire to be an integral part in its distribution to millions of users worldwide.

As an Engineering Manager at Canonical, your primary responsibility is to your team: helping them grow as engineers, do important and satisfying work, and have a great time while doing it. Technical leadership experience and a background in software engineering are necessary prerequisites for this role. You will be expected to lead, challenge, and develop strong engineers, positively influence the culture, facilitate technical delivery, and work with your team on strategy and execution.

Location: Working from home, worldwide.  We have kernel teams and openings in every time zone and with the notable exception of Taipei, Taiwan, have no offices and therefore no pressure to work from an office.

 

The role entails

  • Leading a distributed team of software engineers in your geographic region in distinct aspects of delivery of all Linux kernels for the Ubuntu Linux distribution
  • Taking ownership of particular aspects of Ubuntu Linux which can include but not be limited to:
    • Working with silicon or cloud partners to implement Linux kernels optimised for their execution environments
    • Ensuring Ubuntu Linux is able to run on a wide range of diverse hardware platforms
    • Definition and execution of the stringent quality control standards expected by the Ubuntu user community
    • Mitigation of the latest security threats and exploits to the Linux kernel
    • Strong process automation as it pertains to the build, test, and delivery of the Linux kernel
  • Engagement with other teams at Canonical, the open source community and commercial partners

 

What we are looking for in you

  • Significant programming experience in C, with Python, Golang, or other like languages is also highly regarded
  • Substantial experience with operating system kernel internals and concepts, Linux would be highly regarded but not essential
  • Demonstrated experience managing or leading a team of software engineers
  • Ability to coordinate between multiple distinct teams of differing technical focus to achieve common goals
  • Familiarity with version control practices, ideally with git
  • Prior experience developing with software packaging formats, with direct Ubuntu/Debian/Snap experience being highly regarded
  • Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills
  • Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long

 

Nice-to-have skills

  • Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging
  • Strong grasp of device drivers, BSP’s, and other low level system engineering
  • Solid background in driving CI/CD and process automation initiatives
  • Prior public involvement with an open source project

What we offer colleagues

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

  • Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
  • Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
  • Annual compensation review
  • Recognition rewards
  • Annual holiday leave
  • Maternity and paternity leave
  • Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
  • Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
  • Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence; in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 2004.​ Working here is a step into the future and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer

We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

#LI-remote

 

Similar Jobs

CD PROJEKT RED - Senior QA Engineer

CD PROJEKT RED

(Remote)
2 Days ago
Playrix - Lead C++ Software Engineer (Gameplay)

Playrix

Serbia (Remote)
6 Months ago
Scale AI - Software Engineer (Infrastructure)

Scale AI

Doha, Doha Municipality, Qatar (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
Blacksahrk - Senior Software Engineer - Data Plane Team

Blacksahrk

United States (On-Site)
2 Days ago
Take-Two Interactive - Product Security Architect

Take-Two Interactive

(Remote)
2 Days ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Redhorse Corp - Data Engineer

Redhorse Corp

Herndon, Virginia, United States (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
caliogo - Staff DevOps Engineer

caliogo

Hyderabad, Telangana, India (On-Site)
10 Months ago
Xsolla - Software Engineer (Monetization)

Xsolla

Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory Of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (On-Site)
1 Month ago
AppZen - Golang Developer

AppZen

Pune, Maharashtra, India (Hybrid)
4 Months ago
Infosys - Senior Developer - NextJS Full Stack (with Sitecore/CMS Exposure)

Infosys

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (On-Site)
2 Weeks ago
altoros - DevOps Engineer

altoros

(Remote)
2 Weeks ago
Anthology - Senior Software Engineer II

Anthology

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (Hybrid)
2 Months ago
Drive mode - Senior DevOps Engineer

Drive mode

Mountain View, California, United States (Hybrid)
2 Weeks ago
Riot Games - Senior Software Engineer, Services - Esports Platform & Experiences

Riot Games

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago
G5 Games - Monitoring Engineer

G5 Games

(Remote)
4 Weeks ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Worldwide

Looks like we're out of matches

Set up an alert and we'll send you similar jobs the moment they appear!

Similar Category Jobs

Looks like we're out of matches

Set up an alert and we'll send you similar jobs the moment they appear!