About this role.
Canonical is hiring an Embedded Linux Consultant (Field Engineer) for Devices/IoT, based remotely in Japan (preferably Tokyo or Osaka). The role involves engaging customers during presales, gathering requirements, explaining Ubuntu technology, and participating in delivery of embedded Linux projects. Ideal candidates are accomplished Linux experts with experience in low-level firmware, Yocto/Buildroot, and proficiency in languages like C, C++, Python, Go, or Rust. The role is customer-facing, requires excellent communication skills, and offers a dynamic environment with global collaboration.
Role DNA
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Job Complexity
5/5Pace & Pressure
4/5Autonomy Level
4/5Communication Load
5/5Salary analysis
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Core skills
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Cover letter sample
Dear Hiring Team,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Embedded Linux Consultant position at Canonical. With extensive experience in embedded Linux development, including Yocto, Buildroot, and low-level firmware, I am excited about the opportunity to help customers bring innovative IoT and device solutions to life using Ubuntu Core.
My background includes designing and debugging complex Linux systems, as well as collaborating directly with clients to understand their requirements and deliver tailored solutions. I am proficient in C, C++, and Python, and I thrive in fast-paced, customer-facing environments where I can serve as both a technical expert and a trusted advisor.
I am particularly drawn to Canonical's mission to provide secure and reliable open source solutions for mission-critical industries. I look forward to the chance to contribute to your team and help expand the reach of Ubuntu in the Japanese market.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample interview questions
I have used Yocto extensively to build custom Linux distributions for IoT gateways and industrial controllers. I customized kernel configurations, integrated device drivers, and managed layer dependencies. For a recent project, I used Buildroot to create a minimal, secure OS for a medical device, ensuring reproducibility and compliance with regulatory standards.
I would highlight Ubuntu Core's snap-based architecture, which provides strong application isolation, transactional updates, and rollback capabilities. For automotive, I'd emphasize its reliability and security certifications, and how it reduces risks of system compromise and downtime, aligning with industry safety standards.
I once debugged a kernel panic in an embedded device that occurred only during boot under high temperature. I used serial console logs, ftrace, and crash dump analysis to isolate the issue to a faulty memory controller initialization. I then worked with the hardware vendor to apply a workaround and patched the bootloader.
I would first understand the underlying need and explore if there is a workaround or existing feature that addresses it. If not, I would clearly communicate the limitation and collaborate with the internal product team to evaluate feasibility. I would also provide the customer with a realistic roadmap and interim solutions.
I am highly self-motivated and experienced in remote collaboration, using tools like Slack, Jira, and video conferencing to stay aligned with teams across time zones. I am comfortable working autonomously while knowing when to escalate questions. I also value the flexibility and discipline required for remote work, and I am eager to participate in Canonical's regular face-to-face gatherings.
Job Description
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 1000+ colleagues in 70+ 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 an Embedded Linux Field Engineer for Devices/IoT to expand our reach in mission-critical industries such as Automotive, Medical Devices, Industrial Systems, Robotics, and Telco, as well as Consumer Electronics. We are looking for candidates who are accomplished Linux plumbers. If you are someone passionate about Linux, who knows the plumbing of the OS inside and out, who is proficient with distribution packaging, software design, system debugging, and bringing customer’s ideas to life, then please keep on reading – this may be a uniquely exciting opportunity for you.
The server edition of Ubuntu is already very widely used in connected devices and industrial PC’s. Our newer edition of Ubuntu for IoT, called Ubuntu Core, represents the state of the art in security and resilience for high end appliances and equipment. Our customers include global brands in consumer and industrial electronics as well as automotive and robotics. We continue to expand our range of offerings to bring our security, management and developer experience to the smallest Linux environments and devices. We recently added a real-time Linux capability and are working towards a range of certifications for these offerings. Together, this portfolio is Linux reinvented for optimal reliability, security, developer productivity and footprint.
This career opportunity requires a unique blend of skills. Successful candidates will know Linux well and be proficient coders and scripters. They will have experience of low-level Linux boot, BIOS, firmware and embedded software development methodologies. They also enjoy the pace of change and diversity of client engagements with driven and ambitious technology entrepreneurs. Competitive, business-focused technologists at heart, they are also dedicated team players that take pride in team and company wins.
We often say that our field engineers have ‘the hardest job at Canonical’ because customers can ask about any aspect of our solutions and products and expect a thoughtful, well-informed answer. We always want to do the best thing for our partners and customers, regardless of our company interests, and field engineers are the people we trust to ensure that is true.
Location: This role will be based remotely in Japan (preferably in Tokyo or Osaka area)
What your day will look like
- Engage customers during presales to gather requirements and explain our technology
- Elaborate solutions to be proposed to prospective clients
- Participate to the delivery of select projects related to Embedded Linux
- Convey market requirements to key stakeholders in our organization, and sometimes participate to the development or refining of generic solutions to unlock market potential
- Be both a customer advocate and a trusted advisor to Canonical
What we are looking for in you
- Bachelors degree in Computer Science or related technical field
- Extensive Linux experience – Debian or Ubuntu preferred
- Solid embedded Linux experience (Yocto, Buildroot…) or RTOS
- Fluency in at least one of Golang, Python, C, C++, or Rust
- Professional written and spoken English in addition to the local language
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Result-oriented, ability to multi-task
- A personal drive to meet commitments
- An humble learner and quick study
- Albeit many projects can be done remotely, the successful candidate will be willing to travel up to 30% of the time for customer meetings, company events, and conferences
- For positions in Japan and Korea, the successful candidates will also be able to speak and write the local language at a professional level.
Additional skills that you might also bring
- Experience with customer engagements a plus, but not a requirement
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 recognise 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
- 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 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 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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