Engineering Manager – Security Standards and Hardening

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: Product & Operations
Employment type: Full Time,
Job posted: 21 Jul 2026
Apply before: 21 Aug 2026
Experience level: Midweight
Views / Applies: 262 / 7

About company

About Canonical Ltd.

Trusted open source for enterprises

Computer Software
2004

Actively Hiring

AI Summary

Canonical is seeking an Engineering Manager for Security Standards and Hardening to lead a team focused on setting security standards for Ubuntu and open source software. The role involves certifying core components to meet industry standards like FIPS, CIS, and STIG, and guiding development teams in security best practices. The manager will be responsible for line management, career development, and representing the team to stakeholders. This position requires deep knowledge of security standards, Linux, and experience in agile development. The ideal candidate has a strong academic background, excellent communication skills, and a passion for developing people.

Role DNA

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

Pace & Pressure

Relaxed Fast-paced

Autonomy Level

Guided Full Ownership

Communication Load

Independent Highly Collaborative

AI Insight This role combines deep technical expertise in security standards with management responsibilities, requiring a rare skill set and the ability to influence across teams, making it highly challenging.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight No salary data was provided in the job listing. Based on US market benchmarks for an Engineering Manager in security and hardening, the estimated median salary is $190,000. The typical range is $130,000 to $250,000 depending on experience and location. This role likely offers competitive compensation given the specialized nature.

Core Skills Required

Security Engineering Management FIPS 140 CIS Benchmarks DISA-STIG Linux Security Hardening Agile Development Team Leadership Compliance as Code Cryptography Open Source Security

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Team,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Engineering Manager - Security Standards and Hardening position at Canonical. With a background in leading security engineering teams and deep expertise in Linux hardening, FIPS, and compliance frameworks, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the security of Ubuntu and the open-source ecosystem. My experience includes managing teams to deliver certified products and collaborating with industry partners like CIS and DISA.

I have successfully driven the implementation of security standards such as STIG and FIPS 140, and I am passionate about developing engineering talent and fostering a culture of excellence. I am confident that my technical leadership and people management skills align perfectly with the requirements of this role. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can help Canonical achieve its mission of setting the highest security standards.

Sample Interview Questions

How would you approach implementing FIPS 140 certification for a new Ubuntu release?

I would start by assessing the current cryptographic modules and identifying gaps against the FIPS 140 requirements. Then, I'd work with the development teams to patch or replace modules as needed, ensuring all code follows FIPS 140-2/3 standards. I'd also set up a continuous integration pipeline to run FIPS validation tests and coordinate with an accredited lab for final certification.

Describe your experience leading a team of security engineers. How do you handle performance issues?

I lead by setting clear goals and providing regular feedback. For performance issues, I first understand the root cause through one-on-one discussions. I then create a development plan with measurable milestones, offering additional training or mentoring if needed. If improvement doesn't occur, I escalate with HR while ensuring fairness and transparency.

How do you stay updated on emerging security threats and standards?

I subscribe to security mailing lists, attend conferences like BlackHat, and follow key figures on social media. I also encourage my team to share knowledge during weekly security briefs. For standards, I maintain direct contact with organizations like NIST, CIS, and DISA to get advance notices of changes.

Can you give an example of a successful collaboration with other teams to improve security?

In my previous role, I worked with the kernel team to implement kernel hardening patches based on CIS benchmarks. We held joint sprint planning sessions, created shared OKRs, and set up automated compliance checks. This reduced security vulnerabilities by 30% and ensured our product met FedRAMP requirements.

What strategies do you use to promote a security-first culture within an engineering organization?

I advocate for security training and certifications, integrate security reviews into the development lifecycle, and celebrate security wins publicly. I also establish clear security champions in each team and conduct periodic 'security deep dives' to surface issues early. Leading by example is crucial.

As the most widely used Linux distribution, Ubuntu underpins the security of the entire internet. The role of Security Engineering Manager directly impacts the safety and security of millions of users worldwide. Join a team of security experts dedicated to protecting the open-source ecosystem and driving innovation. Your leadership will be instrumental in addressing emerging threats, developing robust security measures, and ensuring the continued integrity of Ubuntu. This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference and leave a lasting legacy on the digital landscape.
As we place ever more trust in software and data security in our increasingly connected world, Canonical’s mission to deliver the world’s best open source platform comes with a responsibility: to set the highest possible standard for software security, not only for the OS, but also for the wide range of open source infrastructure and software that developers enjoy within the Ubuntu ecosystem. With Canonical’s Ubuntu being the leading open source platform for large-scale cloud and edge deployments, we are increasingly called upon to help customers meet strict security requirements such as FIPS, CIS, STIG, FedRAMP and the new CRA.
This role is about leading the charge to set the security standards for open source software across the Ubuntu platform, from desktops, servers and edge devices to cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes and OpenStack, by certifying core components to meet industry standards and guiding development teams across the company in security best practices. We work primarily within the areas of cryptographic modules (FIPS 140) and system hardening, where we collaborate with industry partners including CIS and DISA to define and build secure operating system deployments.
An Engineering Manager is responsible for line management and career guidance. The ability to develop engineering talent, to represent your team and product from a technical perspective, and to drive collaboration with other teams and customers are all critical to success in this role.

What you will do in this role

Lead and develop a team of engineers, ranging from graduate to senior
Coach, mentor, and offer career development feedback
Identify and measure team health indicators
Implement disciplined engineering processes
Represent your team and product to stakeholders, partners, and customers
Develop and evangelise great engineering and organisational practices
Plan and manage progress on agreed goals and projects
Support our products and customers to meet strict product security requirements such as FIPS, CIS, STIG, FedRAMP and the new CRA
Support the work addressing specific cryptography modules (FIPS 140) and system hardening efforts with indrustry partners, including CIS and DISA

What we are looking for in you

An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
Drive, and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
A love of developing and growing people and a track record of it
Organised and able to ensure your team delivers timely, high quality results
Professional manner interacting with colleagues, partners, and community
Prior experience working on FIPS/Common Criteria certified products and in-depth knowledge of the underlying standards
Prior experience working directly with DISA-STIG or CIS benchmarks, including related audit + remediation tooling (e.g. Compliance as Code)
Knowledgeable and passionate about software and application security
Solid experience working in an agile development environment
A demonstrated drive for continual learning
Builds trust, relationships and confidence
Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

Optional things we value

Hands-on domain knowledge of Linux cryptography libraries (OpenSSL, GnuTLS)

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 annual 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
Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
Annual compensation review
Recognition rewards
Annual holiday leave
Maternity and paternity leave
Employee Assistance Programme
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 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. 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.

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