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Linux Software Engineer – Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon (multiple roles and seniority levels)

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Remote from
🌐 Anywhere
Salary
Undisclosed
Employment
Full Time
Experience
Open level
Published
Apply before
24 Nov 2026
Listing views
23
Application actions
2
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AI Summary

The role, at a glance.

Canonical is hiring Linux software engineers at multiple seniority levels to optimize Ubuntu across emerging silicon architectures and hardware platforms. The role spans the Linux stack, including packaging, toolchains, platform security, virtualization, containers, networking, AI, HPC, IoT, and hardware enablement. Engineers collaborate with silicon partners, upstream open-source communities, Ubuntu and Debian teams, and commercial customers to debug, integrate, and improve software. Success requires strong C, C++, and Python fundamentals, sound Linux systems knowledge, and the ability to work autonomously in a globally distributed team. The position is remote across the Americas, APAC, and EMEA, with occasional travel for internal events.

Role DNA

A quick view of the complexity, pace, ownership and collaboration implied by the job description.

Job Complexity

5/5
EasyHard

Pace & Pressure

4/5
RelaxedFast-paced

Autonomy Level

5/5
GuidedFull ownership

Communication Load

4/5
IndependentCollaborative
AI insightThis is a technically broad systems-engineering role involving low-level Linux software, diverse CPU architectures, hardware enablement, and upstream open-source collaboration. The wide scope and distributed environment require strong independent problem solving alongside clear cross-functional communication.

Salary analysis

Estimated compensation compared with the broader US market for similar roles.

Estimated job median (per year)Highly competitive
$145,000
US market range (per year)$110k–$180k
AI insightThe yearly pay period is inferred from the job context; it was not explicitly stated by the employer. No employer base-salary range is disclosed. The annual USD figures are inferred market estimates for a mid-to-senior Linux systems software engineer in the US market; actual Canonical compensation varies by geography, experience, and performance.

Core skills

Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.

Sample interview questions
Describe how you would investigate a performance regression on Ubuntu running on a newly enabled ARM or RISC-V platform.

I would first make the regression reproducible and establish a baseline using comparable kernels, packages, and workloads. I would collect system-level evidence with tools such as perf, ftrace, kernel logs, and application profiling, then isolate whether the issue is in the kernel, toolchain, drivers, libraries, or application configuration. After validating a fix with repeatable benchmarks and regression tests, I would document findings and collaborate with relevant upstream and partner teams.

How do package dependencies and dependency resolution affect Linux distribution maintenance?

Dependencies ensure that packages receive compatible libraries, tools, and runtime components, but incorrect metadata can cause broken upgrades, uninstallable packages, or version conflicts. I would define accurate build and runtime dependencies, test clean installs and upgrades, and use distribution tooling to validate package relationships. For complex changes, I would coordinate transitions carefully and consider ABI compatibility, security updates, and downstream impact.

What is your approach to contributing a fix to an upstream open-source project?

I begin by reproducing the issue, reviewing project contribution guidance, and searching for related discussions or existing fixes. I prepare a focused patch with tests where feasible, explain the technical rationale clearly, and respond constructively to maintainer feedback. Once accepted, I track downstream packaging or integration needs so the fix reaches Ubuntu users reliably.

Explain how you would help a customer integrate an SDK and build a customized Ubuntu OS image for an embedded device.

I would clarify the target hardware, boot chain, kernel and driver requirements, security constraints, application dependencies, and update strategy. I would then assemble and test the required packages and image configuration, validate booting and peripheral support on representative hardware, and automate reproducible builds. Finally, I would provide integration documentation and troubleshoot issues with the customer while feeding general improvements back into maintainable upstream or Ubuntu components.

How do you maintain effective communication while working in a globally distributed engineering team?

I make decisions, assumptions, test results, and blockers visible in written channels so colleagues in other time zones can act asynchronously. I use concise design notes and issue updates, seek early feedback on cross-team changes, and reserve meetings for topics that benefit from real-time discussion. I also plan handoffs and timelines around time-zone differences while remaining accountable for my deliverables.

This analysis is generated from the job description. Salary estimates, role characteristics and sample answers are guidance, not employer-provided facts.
Opportunity details

About this role.

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.

Canonical’s Partner Engineering Team is looking for open-source enthusiasts to work across the full Linux stack to ensure new silicon technologies, such as new hardware accelerators, AI stacks, confidential computing, networking, virtualization, and containerization stacks, are optimized for new silicons.

Partner Engineering works closely with worldwide silicon companies to optimize Ubuntu for their new silicon, from x86, ARM, RISC-V, PowerPC and s390x architectures.

Location: This is a Globally remote role

The role entails

  • Collaborating proactively within a distributed team
  • Fostering a software ecosystem with seamless user experience for all Ubuntu users
  • Evaluating contributions of other engineers to maintain high-quality software standards.
  • Playing a role in shaping the future of Ubuntu via both – new ideas in your areas of interest and advising on work being done elsewhere
  • Collaborating with other teams in the Ubuntu and Debian communities, with upstream projects, and commercially supported customers
  • Debugging issues on open source code and team maintained code.
  • Helping our our customers to integrate their apps, SDKs, build OS images, optimize applications with Ubuntu Core, Desktop and Server
  • Working with a team to maintain Ubuntu, silicon features, and silicon-optimized packages across platforms and technologies such as:
    • Servers, HPC and AI systems, IoT devices, PCs, SmartNICs and automotive systems
    • AI stacks
    • Graphics, audio and multimedia stacks
    • Virtualisation and Containers
    • Hardware enablement stacks
    • New architectures, architecture variants and optimized toolchains
    • Package management and dependencies
    • Platform security (secure boot, FDE, Ubuntu Core, Confidential Computing)
  • Work from home with global travel 2 to 4 weeks for internal events

What we are looking for in you

  • Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
  • Undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path
  • You love technology and working with brilliant people
  • You are curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable
  • You value soft skills and are passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated
  • You value building partnerships with a diverse set of internal and external groups
  • Strong fundamentals in C, C++ and Python
  • Experience or interest in learning Linux distribution packaging
  • Experience or Interest in open source maintenance or contribution and licenses
  • Fundamental understanding of package management and dependency resolution

Additional skills that you might also bring

  • Experience with one or more of the following:
    • Graphics, audio, or multimedia stacks
    • Virtualization and containers (Docker, OCI, Kubernetes)
    • Hardware enablement for platforms and devices, including SmartNICs, NVMe storage, GPUs, audio components, and sensors
    • Performance optimization
    • Toolchain development and maintenance
    • Networking protocols and technologies (TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP/REST)
    • Security best practices
    • IoT and embedded systems, including board-level hardware, SoCs, BMCs, bootloaders, firmware, operating systems, applications, and services

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 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.​ 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

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