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Embedded & Desktop Linux Systems Engineer – Optimisation

AI Summary
Canonical is seeking an Embedded & Desktop Linux Systems Engineer to optimise Ubuntu across desktop, server, IoT, and edge hardware platforms. The role covers the full Linux stack, from low-level firmware and bootloaders through operating system integration, graphics, networking, and application workloads. The engineer will collaborate with silicon partners and customers to deliver performant Ubuntu integrations, device images, SDK support, and technical architecture guidance. Strong experience with Linux packaging, C/C++, open-source development, and embedded systems is central to the position. This is a globally remote, highly collaborative role requiring self-direction and clear technical communication.
Remote from
USA, Canada, EMEA+1 more, LATAM
Salary
Undisclosed
Employment
Full Time
Experience
Senior
Published
Apply before
12 Dec 2026
Listing views
16
Application actions
0
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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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This job listing has been manually reviewed by the Jobicy Trust & Safety Team for compliance with our posting guidelines, including verification of the company's legitimacy, accuracy of job details, clarity of remote work policy, and absence of misleading or fraudulent content.

Role DNA

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

Job Complexity

5/5
EasyHard

Pace & Pressure

5/5
RelaxedFast-paced

Autonomy Level

5/5
GuidedFull ownership

Communication Load

4/5
IndependentCollaborative
AI insightThe role requires broad systems expertise spanning embedded hardware, Linux distributions, packaging, performance optimisation, cloud-to-edge architecture, and customer-facing technical leadership. It also demands independent execution in a distributed global team while working with external silicon partners.

Salary analysis

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

Estimated job median (per year)Market rate
$135,000
US market range (per year)$110k–$170k
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 annual figures are estimated USD base-pay benchmarks for an experienced embedded Linux systems engineer in the US market; the yearly cadence is inferred from the full-time senior technical role.

Core skills

Skills and capabilities most closely associated with this opportunity.

Sample interview questions
How would you approach enabling and optimising Ubuntu for a new embedded hardware platform?

I would begin by validating the boot chain, kernel configuration, device tree, drivers, and board-support package. I would then build a reproducible image pipeline, validate core peripherals and networking, establish performance baselines, and address power, boot-time, graphics, or workload bottlenecks. Finally, I would document integration requirements and automate regression testing for the platform.

Describe your experience with Linux packaging and how you would choose between Debian, RPM, and Yocto workflows.

Debian and RPM packaging are appropriate for distributing software into established Linux distributions and managing dependencies through their native package ecosystems. Yocto is better suited to producing controlled embedded Linux images, cross-compiling complete system stacks, and tailoring packages for a target device. The choice depends on whether the priority is distribution integration, custom device-image construction, or both.

How do you diagnose a performance issue that spans hardware, kernel, and user-space components?

I first define a measurable symptom and reproduce it under controlled conditions. I use system tracing and profiling tools to separate CPU, memory, I/O, scheduling, networking, and graphics factors, then compare results against a known-good baseline. I validate each hypothesis with targeted changes and ensure the final improvement does not create regressions in reliability, power consumption, or maintainability.

What factors are important when working with upstream open-source communities?

Effective upstream collaboration requires clear problem statements, small reviewable patches, adherence to project coding and contribution guidelines, and evidence such as test results or benchmarks. I would engage maintainers early when architectural direction is uncertain, respond constructively to review feedback, and ensure licensing and provenance are understood before incorporating external code.

How would you communicate a complex platform integration risk to a hardware partner and internal stakeholders?

I would explain the risk in terms of user impact, technical cause, scope, confidence level, and decision deadline. I would provide concise evidence, such as logs, test results, or a reproduction path, followed by practical mitigation options with trade-offs. Regular written updates and a clear owner for each action help keep distributed teams aligned.

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