Cloud Field Engineer

Remote from: 🌐 Anywhere
Annual salary: Undisclosed
Salary information is not provided for this position. Check our Salary Directory to estimate the average compensation for similar roles.
Department: Software Engineering
Employment type: Full Time,
Job posted: 21 Jul 2026
Apply before: 21 Aug 2026
Experience level: Entry-Level
Junior
Views / Applies: 139 / 8

About company

About Canonical Ltd.

Trusted open source for enterprises

Computer Software
2004

Actively Hiring

AI Summary

Cloud Field Engineers at Canonical help global companies adopt private cloud infrastructure, Linux, and cloud-native technologies like Ubuntu, OpenStack, and Kubernetes. They design and implement cloud solutions, work hands-on with deployments, and develop Python Kubernetes operators and open-source infrastructure-as-code. The role involves working across the entire Linux stack, architecting solutions on-premises or in public clouds, and coaching colleagues. It requires a university degree in Computer Science or equivalent, strong Linux and networking knowledge, intermediate to advanced Python skills, and excellent communication abilities. The position is remote with up to 25% global travel, offering a dynamic environment with continuous learning and professional development.

Role DNA

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

Pace & Pressure

Relaxed Fast-paced

Autonomy Level

Guided Full Ownership

Communication Load

Independent Highly Collaborative

AI Insight The role demands deep technical expertise across multiple domains (Linux, cloud, networking, Python), customer-facing problem-solving, and constant learning, making it highly challenging and suited for senior engineers.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight The offered salary is not specified, but the role likely commands a competitive market rate. Based on US benchmarks for a Cloud Field Engineer with strong Linux, OpenStack, and Kubernetes skills, the median salary is approximately $135,000 per year, with a typical range of $90,000 to $180,000 depending on experience and location.

Core Skills Required

Linux OpenStack Kubernetes Python Cloud Architecture Networking Ceph AWS Azure Automation

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to apply for the Cloud Field Engineer position at Canonical. With extensive experience in Linux, cloud infrastructure (OpenStack, Kubernetes), and Python development, I thrive on solving complex customer problems through scalable solutions. My background in architecting private and public cloud environments aligns perfectly with your team's mission to drive enterprise adoption of open-source technologies.

In my previous role, I successfully designed and deployed cloud solutions for global clients, reducing infrastructure costs and improving performance. I am passionate about coaching peers and fostering a culture of continuous learning. My strong communication skills allow me to effectively present technical concepts to diverse audiences.

I am drawn to Canonical's remote-first culture and commitment to open source. I am eager to contribute to your team's success and embrace the challenges of this dynamic role. Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Sample Interview Questions

Describe your experience designing and deploying a private cloud solution using OpenStack. What challenges did you face?

In my previous role, I led the deployment of an OpenStack-based private cloud for a financial services client. The main challenges were integrating with existing networking infrastructure and ensuring high availability. I used Ansible for automation and implemented Ceph for storage, which provided scalability. We overcame network issues by designing a multi-tier architecture and thorough testing.

How do you approach troubleshooting a Linux performance issue in a production Kubernetes cluster?

First, I gather metrics using tools like Prometheus and Grafana to identify resource bottlenecks. I check pod logs, node conditions, and cluster events. Then, I analyze system-level performance with tools like strace, perf, and top. If the issue is kernel-related, I review sysctl parameters or consider upgrading the kernel. I also verify network latency and storage I/O. Finally, I document the findings and implement preventive measures.

Can you give an example of a Python script you wrote to automate cloud infrastructure tasks?

I developed a Python script using the OpenStack SDK to automate the creation and teardown of development environments. The script read a YAML configuration file, created networks, subnets, routers, and instances, and configured security groups. It reduced setup time from hours to minutes and ensured consistency across environments. I also added error handling and logging for reliability.

How do you stay current with emerging cloud technologies and ensure continuous learning?

I subscribe to newsletters from CNCF, OpenStack Foundation, and major cloud providers. I regularly attend webinars and contribute to open-source projects on GitHub. I also dedicate time each week to hands-on labs and certifications. For example, I earned the CKA certification last year and am currently exploring service mesh technologies like Istio.

Describe a time you had to work with a difficult customer to resolve a cloud migration issue. How did you handle it?

A customer was frustrated with downtime during migration to AWS. I scheduled a call to understand their concerns, then proposed a phased migration with rollback options. I set up a parallel environment and used AWS DMS for data replication. Regular status updates and clear documentation built trust. We completed the migration with minimal disruption, and the customer appreciated the transparency.

Help global companies embrace the latest private cloud infrastructure, Linux and cloud native operations, and open source applications. Our team applies expert insights to real-world customer problems, enabling the enterprise adoption of Linux Ubuntu, OpenStack, Kubernetes and a wide range of associated technology.

This role has very diverse responsibilities. The team members are Linux and cloud solutions architects for our customers, designing private and public cloud solutions fitting their workload needs. They are the cloud consultants who work hands-on with the technologies by deploying, testing and handing over the solution to our support or managed services team at the end of a project. They are also software engineers who use Python to develop Kubernetes operators and Linux open source infrastructure-as-code.

The people who love this role are developers who like to solve customer problems through architecture, presentations and training.

Location: This role will be home based.

What your day will look like

Work across the entire Linux stack, from kernel, networking, storage, to applications
Work in Python to design and deliver open source code
Architect cloud infrastructure solutions like OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph, Hadoop and Spark either On-Premises or in Public Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Coach and develop your colleagues where you have insights
Grow a healthy, collaborative engineering culture in line with the company values
Work from the comfort of your home
Global travel up to 25% of time for internal and external events

What we are looking for in you

University degree in Computer Science or related software engineering expertise
You have sound knowledge of cloud computing concepts & technologies, such as Kubernetes, OpenStack, AWS, GCP, Azure, Ceph, etc.
You have practical knowledge of Linux and networking
You have Intermediate to Advanced level of Python programming skills
You are a dynamic person who loves to jump in new projects and interact with people
You have a demonstrated drive for continual learning
Excellent communication and presentation skills (English)
You have great organisational skills and follow-up reliably on commitments
(Optional) You speak a second language

What you’ll learn

OpenStack and Kubernetes infrastructure
Linux Ubuntu and networking knowledge
Wide range of open source applications and skills
Work directly with customers in a range of different businesses
Real-life and hands-on exposure to a wide range of emerging technologies and tools

What we offer you

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 recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven quarterly bonus. 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 – we’ve been working remotely since 2004!
Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
Annual compensation review
Recognition rewards
40 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays and our All Company holiday periods
Maternity and paternity leave
Employee Assistance Programme
Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues from your team and others
Priority Pass for travel and travel upgrades for long haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm that is 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 on a daily basis. 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.

Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004. Work at Canonical is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game. Canonical provides a unique window into the world of 21st-century digital business.

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

#stack

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