Software Engineering Manager – Ubuntu Linux Kernel
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Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is 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 pioneers global distributed collaboration with 1,200+ 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.
We are hiring Software Engineering Managers to lead technical teams in the delivery and ongoing support and maintenance of all Linux kernels provided by the Ubuntu Linux distribution. As the Linux kernel now is quite broad, so are the technical domains and challenges involved, ranging from integrating support for bleeding‑edge hardware into the latest Ubuntu kernels, to expanding the range of execution environments available to Ubuntu, to the complexities inherent in applying the latest fixes and updates to all of the >100 Ubuntu Linux kernels under active support during our Stable Release Update cycles.
Working from home, worldwide. We have kernel teams and openings in every time zone and, with the notable exception of Taipei, Taiwan, have no offices and therefore no pressure to work from an office.
The role entails- Leading a distributed team of software engineers in your geographic region for all Linux kernel delivery for Ubuntu.
- Taking ownership of particular aspects of Ubuntu Linux, including but not limited to:
- Working with silicon or cloud partners to implement Linux kernels optimised for their execution environments
- Ensuring Ubuntu Linux is able to run on a wide range of diverse hardware platforms
- Defining and executing the stringent quality control standards expected by the Ubuntu user community
- Mitigating the latest security threats and exploits to the Linux kernel
- Enabling strong process automation as it pertains to the build, test, and delivery of the Linux kernel
- Engaging with other teams at Canonical, the open‑source community, and commercial partners.
- Significant programming experience in C, with Python, Golang, or other similar languages highly regarded.
- Substantial experience with operating system kernel internals and concepts;
Linux experience highly regarded but not essential. - Demonstrated experience managing or leading a team of software engineers.
- Ability to coordinate between multiple distinct teams of differing technical focus to achieve common goals.
- Familiarity with version control practices, ideally with git.
- Prior experience developing with software packaging formats, with direct Ubuntu/Debian/Snap experience highly regarded.
- Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.
- Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging.
- Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, and other low‑level system engineering.
- Solid background in driving CI/CD and process automation initiatives.
- Prior public involvement with an open‑source project.
- 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.
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…
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