Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Source

Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Open Source

Join to apply for the Rust Engineering Lead - Linux and Open Source role at Canonical.

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. We are 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. We are founder‑led, profitable, and growing.

We are hiring Rust Engineering Leads of all levels of experience to drive the adoption of this exciting language into Canonical’s full range of offerings, starting with Ubuntu and other open source projects. Rust is an important new language for system‑level services and capabilities, and a natural evolution path for software that would traditionally be written in C or C++. We see an opportunity to rethink the foundations of future Linux systems with Rust as a central driver of change in everything from firmware and embedded software to the kernel, input handling, and the desktop.

We also want to ensure that Ubuntu is the very best platform for Rust development, offering easy access to the widest range of tooling and capabilities that support cutting‑edge open source and enterprise development.

What your day will look like

• Design and implement well‑tested and well‑documented Rust software
• Advocate for Rust adoption within Canonical and in upstream projects
• Identify projects and codebases that could be prioritised for Rust adoption
• Debug and fix issues encountered by users
• Participate in our engineering process through code and architectural reviews
• Collaborate with community and colleagues on technical specifications
• Seek improvements to engineering and operations practices
• Deploy and operate services developed by the team as needed
• Contribute to the success of the product through technical advocacy

What we are looking for in you

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about an alternative path
• For senior roles, experience building, deploying and operating distributed systems and APIs
• Track record of going above and beyond expectations
• Well‑organised, self‑starting and able to deliver to schedule
• Appreciative of diversity, polite and effective in a multicultural, multinational organisation
• Professional manner interacting with colleagues, partners and community
• Experience designing and writing high‑quality Rust software on Linux
• Passion for Linux at the system level
• Professional written and spoken English
• Result‑oriented with a personal drive to meet commitments
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks each

Nice‑to‑have skills we would value

• Experience developing for Ubuntu
• Experience with LXD, Micro
  
  K8s, SnapD, IoT, Juju, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Pro
• Performance engineering and security experience

What we offer

• 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
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events

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.