Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu -Gen Silicon

Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon

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, silicon providers, and industry leaders across many sectors. The company is founder‑led, profitable, and growing.

We are hiring engineering managers who are passionate about operational systems, open source technologies and cutting‑edge hardware to lead engineering teams to enable and optimise Ubuntu for the latest x86, ARM, RISC‑V, s390x and POWER systems. We partner with the world’s leading silicon vendors to optimise Ubuntu on their latest platforms, integrating next‑generation features, performance enhancements, and a common operating experience.

Engineering Managers should be outstanding developers, comfortable reviewing patches and design specs. You will drive healthy engineering practices, documentation, quality and performance optimisations, and lead your team to deliver high‑quality design and code. They are responsible for line management, career guidance, representing the team and product from a technical perspective, and driving collaboration with other teams and customers. You will influence culture, facilitate technical delivery, and work with your team on strategy and execution.

Location:

This is a globally remote role. We have open positions in every time zone.

• Lead and develop a team of engineers, ranging from graduate to senior.
• Oversee commercial engagements and support timely delivery on agreed project milestones.
• Participate as technical lead on complex customer engagements involving complete system architectures.
• Implement disciplined engineering processes.
• Integrate and maintain platform‑oriented software stacks.
• Optimize Ubuntu for latest hardware platforms.
• Display technical leadership internally and within our external communities.
• Contribute to code reviews and technical documentation.
• Be an active part of the leadership team, collaborating with other leaders.

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path.
• Fluency in C, C++, and Python.
• Experience with Linux and operational systems software (e.g. kernel or user space).
• Experience with Debian/Ubuntu or other distro packaging.
• Experience leading software engineering teams.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation.
• Thoughtfulness, and self‑motivation.
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments.
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.

• Experience working with open source communities and licenses.
• Computer architecture knowledge of x86, ARM, RISC‑V or s390x.
• Understanding of build systems and tool chains, including for cross‑compilation.
• Experience working with customers.
• Experience with board bring‑up and validation.
• Experience with Linux virtualization, networking or graphics stacks.
• Experience with Docker/OCI containers/K8s.
• Experience with confidential computing, RDMA, Infiniband and high‑performance computing.
• Performance engineering, benchmarking and profiling.

• 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 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 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.

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.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Software Development