Staff Security Operations 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
Cybersecurity
Employment type
Full Time,
Job posted
Apply before
21 Aug 2026
Experience level
Senior
Views / Applies
51 / 5

About Canonical Ltd.

Trusted open source for enterprises

Actively Hiring
Verified job posting
This job post has been manually reviewed for authenticity and compliance.

AI Summary

Canonical is seeking a Staff Security Operations Engineer to join a new team reporting to the CISO. The role involves defending critical assets against advanced threats, improving security architecture, and contributing to the open source ecosystem. Responsibilities include implementing SecOps standards, threat modeling, and thought leadership. Ideal candidates have deep expertise in security operations, threat intelligence, and risk management frameworks. This is a senior position requiring a strong academic track record and hands-on experience with advanced persistent threats.

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 requires defending against state-level actors and advanced persistent threats, demanding extensive experience and mastery of threat modeling, security architecture, and incident response.

Salary Analysis

Median Market Rate
$160,000
US Market
$130k – 200k
0 $220k
AI Insight No salary information provided. Based on market data, the estimated median salary for a Staff Security Operations Engineer is $160,000 per year, which is competitive for this senior-level role.

Dear Hiring Team,

I am writing to express my strong interest in the Staff Security Operations Engineer position at Canonical. With over a decade of experience defending high-value targets against advanced persistent threats, I am eager to bring my expertise in threat intelligence, security architecture, and incident response to your mission of securing the open source supply chain. My background includes leading threat modeling exercises, implementing risk management frameworks like NIST CSF, and contributing to open source threat intelligence initiatives. I am particularly drawn to Canonical's commitment to raising the robustness of the global Ubuntu estate and would be honored to contribute to this critical work. Thank you for considering my application; I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can help advance your security operations.

Can you describe your experience with threat modeling and how you would apply it to secure Canonical's infrastructure?
I have extensive experience with threat modeling using frameworks like STRIDE and PASTA. At my previous role, I led threat modeling sessions for cloud infrastructure and supply chain systems. For Canonical, I would start by mapping out critical assets, identifying threat actors such as state-level APTs, and prioritizing mitigations based on risk. I would also integrate threat modeling into the agile development process to ensure continuous security.
How do you stay current with evolving cyber threats and incorporate threat intelligence into daily operations?
I follow multiple threat intelligence feeds, including MISP and commercial sources, and actively participate in ISACs. I regularly conduct threat hunting based on indicators of compromise and adversary TTPs. I also contribute to open source threat intelligence sharing. In a SOC context, I ensure that intelligence is operationalized into detection rules and response playbooks.
Describe a time you defended against an advanced persistent threat. What steps did you take?
At a previous company, we detected a sophisticated spear-phishing campaign targeting executives. I led the incident response, containing the breach by isolating affected systems, analyzing malware C2 traffic, and collaborating with law enforcement. We implemented multi-factor authentication and advanced email filtering. I also conducted a lessons-learned exercise to improve detection and prevention.
How would you approach building a new SOC team and establishing SecOps practices?
I would start by defining the team's mission and KPIs, then recruit individuals with diverse skills in detection, response, and threat intelligence. I would implement standard playbooks based on NIST CSF and ISO 27001, and establish tools for SIEM, SOAR, and threat intelligence. I would also promote a culture of continuous learning through tabletop exercises and cross-training.
Can you give an example of how you have contributed to open source security initiatives?
I have contributed to the Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) by authoring a security guide for CI/CD pipelines. Additionally, I regularly publish blog posts on threat hunting techniques and have spoken at conferences like BSides. I believe sharing knowledge is vital for improving the entire ecosystem's resilience.

We have opened several senior/staff Security Operations Engineer (SOC) positions, creating a new team reporting to the CISO. We are looking for a range of experience in these positions – at the high end we are looking for deep experience defending highly contested critical assets and high-value cyber targets against advanced persistent threats and state-level actors. We have more junior roles for exceptional individuals with a proven personal interest an engagement in cyber attack and defence, and outstanding academic and career performance even if experience is limited.

Our goal is to build an entirely new level of assurance and observable rigour into the open source supply chain. We have our own estate to monitor, but more broadly our goal is to raise the robustness of the entire global Ubuntu estate through the work of this team.

The Security Operations (SecOps) team is responsible for design, implementation and evolution of Canonical security practices, techniques, tools, systems and policies. The team is the primary owner of strategy and practices that determine how Canonical secures its data, internal infrastructure and build processes. They are responsible for assuring the security and integrity of our own infrastructure and product deployments. They design and implement technical security controls that ensure security threats are automatically identified, contained and remediated. The team will also contribute ideas and requirements for Canonical product security, improving the resilience and robustness of all Ubuntu customers and users subject to cyber attack.

The SecOps team’s mission is not only to secure Canonical, but also to contribute to the security of the wider open source ecosystem. They might share knowledge through public presentations and industry events, and share threat intelligence with the wider community or represent Canonical in sector-specific governance bodies.

What you will do in this role:

  • Implement and evolve Canonical’s SecOps security standards and playbooks
  • Analyse and improve Canonical’s security architecture
  • Evaluate, select and implement new security tools and practices
  • Identify, contain and guide the remediation of security threats and cyber attacks
  • Grow the presence and thought leadership of Canonical SecOps practice
  • Contribute to open source threat intelligence initiatives
  • Drive threat modelling, table top exercises and other SecOps practices across Engineering, IS and Canonical
  • Develop Canonical SecOps learning and development materials
  • Publish blog posts, whitepapers and conference presentations
  • Identify, implement and track SecOps KPIs
  • Plan and deliver SecOps work in the framework of Canonical’s agile engineering practice
  • Work with Security leadership to present information and influence change

What we are looking for

  • An exceptional academic track record 
  • 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
  • Deep personal motivation to be at the forefront of technology security
  • Expertise in threat modelling and risk management frameworks
  • Knowledge of security architecture and market-leading security tools
  • Experience contributing to, and consuming, threat intelligence feeds
  • Experience in security risk management frameworks such as NIST CSF
  • Experience with security standards such as ISO 27001

Optional things we value

  • Experience in a security operations team or a security operations centre (SOC)
  • Experience in offensive or defensive security teams with hands-on ability
  • Experience with state-actor and other advanced persistent threats

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.

#LI-remote

Apply now >

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