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Embedded Linux Senior Software Engineer – Optimisation

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Remote from
USA, Canada, EMEA+1 more, LATAM
Salary
Undisclosed
Employment
Full Time
Experience
Senior
Published
Apply before
2 Dec 2026
Listing views
27
Application actions
1
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AI Summary

The role, at a glance.

Canonical is seeking a senior embedded Linux engineer to optimise Ubuntu across the stack, from kernel and firmware-adjacent components through desktop and server experiences. The role focuses on integrating Ubuntu with new IoT and server-class silicon platforms, improving performance, and delivering partner-facing technical solutions. The engineer will lead complex customer engagements spanning cloud-to-edge architectures and support customers with SDKs, device images, Ubuntu Core, Desktop, and Server. Strong C/C++, Linux packaging, open-source collaboration, and embedded systems expertise are central, with networking, graphics, containers, and IoT security as valuable additions.

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 senior systems role requiring broad expertise across Linux internals, embedded hardware, platform integration, customer architecture, and performance optimisation. The global remote setting and technical-lead responsibilities require strong self-direction and clear partner communication.

Salary analysis

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

Estimated job median (per year)Highly competitive
$180,000
US market range (per year)$150k–$210k
AI insightThe yearly pay period is inferred from the job context; it was not explicitly stated by the employer. No employer salary range is disclosed. The yearly cadence is inferred from the full-time senior engineering role; the displayed USD figures are estimated annual US-market compensation, not verified Canonical compensation.

Core skills

Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.

Sample interview questions
How would you approach optimising Ubuntu for a newly released IoT system-on-chip?

I would begin by understanding the board support package, boot flow, kernel configuration, device tree, drivers, and platform constraints. I would establish measurable boot-time, latency, memory, power, and reliability targets, then profile the system to prioritise changes. I would validate improvements through automated image builds, hardware testing, regression testing, and collaboration with the silicon vendor.

Describe your experience with Linux packaging across Debian, RPM, or Yocto environments.

I have worked with package metadata, dependency management, build recipes, reproducible builds, versioning, and patch maintenance. I choose the packaging approach that fits the target distribution and embedded image workflow, while ensuring packages are testable, upgradeable, and maintainable upstream where possible.

How would you investigate a performance regression introduced by a kernel or driver update?

I would first reproduce the regression with a controlled workload and compare known-good and failing versions. I would use tools such as perf, ftrace, trace-cmd, kernel logs, and targeted instrumentation to identify changes in CPU scheduling, interrupts, I/O, memory, or driver behavior. After isolating the cause, I would implement or propose a minimal fix and validate it against functional and performance regression suites.

How do you manage technical communication during a complex customer engagement?

I establish shared goals, constraints, owners, milestones, and success metrics early. I communicate trade-offs in concise written updates, keep architecture decisions documented, and surface risks before they become delivery issues. For distributed teams, I make decisions and next steps explicit so work can progress asynchronously.

What security practices would you apply when building an Ubuntu-based IoT device image?

I would minimize the installed attack surface, keep packages and kernels patched, use signed artifacts and secure boot where supported, and apply least-privilege access controls. I would also protect secrets, segment network services, enable secure update mechanisms, and incorporate vulnerability monitoring into the release lifecycle.

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.

Work across the full Linux stack from kernel through GUI to optimise Ubuntu, the world’s most widely used Linux desktop and server, for the latest silicon.

The role is a fast-paced, problem-solving role that’s challenging yet very exciting. The right candidate must be resourceful, articulate, and able to deliver on a wide variety of solutions across PC and IoT technologies. Our teams partner with specialist engineers from major silicon companies to integrate next-generation features and performance enhancements for upcoming hardware.

Location: This is a Globally remote role

What your day will look like

  • Design and implement the best Ubuntu integration for the latest IoT and server-class hardware platforms and software stacks
  • Work with partners to deliver a delightful, optimised, first class Ubuntu experience on their platforms
  • Take a holistic approach to the Ubuntu experience on partner platforms with inputs on technical plans, testing strategy, quality metrics
  • Participate as technical lead on complex customer engagements involving complete system architectures from cloud to edge
  • Help our customers integrate their apps, SDKs, build device OS images, optimize applications with Ubuntu Core, Desktop and Server
  • Work with the most advanced operating systems and application technologies available in the enterprise world.

Joining Canonical, you will partner with bright minds from all over the world, and work with an exciting set of new technologies in a fast growing company with a truly unique and ambitious vision to build a better platform with free software. You will work with customers on exciting IoT and server platforms and technologies, built to support different verticals: from robots to data centers, from telco to retail.

What we are looking for in you

  • You love technology and working with brilliant people
  • You have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, STEM or similar
  • You have experience with Linux packaging (Debian, RPM, Yocto)
  • You have experience working with open source communities and licences
  • You have experience working with C, C++
  • You can work in a globally distributed team through self-discipline and self-motivation.

Additional skills that you might also bring

  • Experience with graphics stacks
  • Good understanding of networking – TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP/REST
  • Basic understanding of security best practices in IoT or server environments
  • Good communication skills, ideally public speaking experience
  • IoT / Embedded experience – from board and SoC, BMCs, bootloaders and firmware to OS, through apps and services
  • Some experience with Docker/OCI containers/K8s

What we offer you

Your base pay will depend on various factors including your geographical location, level of experience, knowledge and skills. In addition to the benefits above, certain roles are also eligible for additional benefits and rewards including annual bonuses and sales incentives based on revenue or utilisation. Our compensation philosophy is to ensure equity right across our global workforce.

In addition to a competitive base pay, we provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. Please note that additional benefits may apply depending on the work location and, for more information on these, you can ask in the later stages of the recruitment process.

  • Fully remote working environment – we’ve been working remotely since 2004!
  • Personal learning and development budget of 2,000USD per annum
  • Annual compensation review
  • Recognition rewards
  • Annual holiday leave
  • Parental Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues at ‘sprints’
  • 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

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