Suggested rewrite: Led a cross-functional initiative that improved [business outcome] by [measurable result], demonstrating experience relevant to this role...
Embedded & Desktop Linux Systems Engineer – Optimisation
- Salary
- Undisclosed
- Department
- Software Engineering
- Employment
- Full Time
- Experience
- Senior
- Published
- Apply before
- 12 Dec 2026
- Listing views
- 16
- Application actions
- 0
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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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Sample interview questions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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