Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

Ubuntu Linux, already the most popular Linux distribution in the world, is looking to expand its adoption by supporting and optimising a broader range of System On Chip (SoC) platforms.

Canonical’s Kernel Team maintains the Linux kernel for Ubuntu. We are building a squad that collaborates with silicon manufacturers such as NVIDIA, Xilinx, Media Tek, and Qualcomm to provide Ubuntu Linux to their customers and to deliver silicon‑optimised kernel variants.

• Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
• Work closely with silicon vendor partners to integrate their platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel
• Diagnose and resolve kernel issues reported by partners, customers, the community, and through rigorous testing
• Take responsibility for delivering distinct silicon‑optimised kernel variants to the world
• Improve tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing
• Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with internal and external upstream maintainers
• Identify new means of maximising performance on partner silicon

• Well‑organised and motivated self‑starter who thrives in a remote work environment
• Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open‑source community
• Effective communication in English, both written and verbal
• Significant programming ability in C
• Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, and other aspects of hardware‑level system engineering
• Solid background with Git
• Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length

• Python and Bash scripting ability
• Prior background with major SoC families
• Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging experience
• Demonstrated experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging
• Solid understanding of performance optimisation for silicon platforms

• Home‑based work environment with twice‑yearly in‑person team sprints
• 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 publisher of Ubuntu, one of the most important open‑source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we change the world on a daily basis. Canonical recruits on a global basis and sets a high standard for people joining the company.

We expect excellence, and we need the best at what we do.

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.

• Entry level

• Full‑time

• Information Technology
• Software Development