Linux Devices Software Engineer

Overview

Linux Devices Software Engineer role at Canonical. This role is part of our general track focusing on low‑level system technology on autonomous devices across all seniority levels. We hire careful and conscientious engineers who appreciate the challenges of memory, performance, battery and connectivity constrained code that has to work every time in an unreliable and unforgiving world, on x86, ARM or RISC‑V silicon.

Canonical Ubuntu is the leading Linux platform for software engineers, desktops, cloud and IoT. We build Ubuntu Core, a fully containerised version of Ubuntu that is mathematically precise and rigorously secure, and we partner with silicon companies and OEMs/ODMs to optimise Ubuntu on their latest chips and hardware. We are expanding our teams focused on open source for embedded environments. We hire outstanding Linux software engineers with a passion for open source, innovation and cutting‑edge hardware and software technologies.

These roles include:

• Ubuntu Core and snapd software development
• Silicon software and optimisation engineers
• Kernel driver and hardware enablement engineers
• Hardware‑centric Linux QA Engineers
• Hardware Certification Engineers
• Robotics engineers
• Industrial IoT software engineers
• Networking software engineers (switching, routing, access and SmartNICs)

Location: we have remote roles open in every time zone.

Responsibilities

What your day will look like will be shaped by the first round of interviews identifying the teams where you might be a strong fit. Our engineers:

• Work with the latest Linux kernel and open source technologies
• Deliver Ubuntu for the latest IoT and server‑class hardware platforms
• Integrate and maintain device‑oriented software stacks
• Write high‑quality, well‑designed software
• Collaborate proactively with other globally distributed teams
• Display technical leadership internally and within our external communities
• Help our customers ship their apps and SDKs on Ubuntu
• Build device OS images with Ubuntu Core, Desktop and Server
• Optimise the Ubuntu kernel and libraries for silicon‑specific capabilities
• Debug issues and produce high‑quality code to fix them
• Contribute to technical documentation to make it the best of its kind
• Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding good solutions
• Participate as technical lead on complex customer engagements involving complete system architectures from cloud to edge
• Work usually from home, with global travel 2 to 4 weeks for company events

Qualifications

What we are looking for in you:

• An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
• Drive and a track record of going above‑and‑beyond expectations
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path
• Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)
• Passion for Linux or embedded systems software (e.g. kernel, graphics, Yocto)
• Fluency in at least one of Golang, C, C++, or Rust
• Professional written and spoken English
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability
• Passion, thoughtfulness, and self‑motivation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
• Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

Additional Skills

• Experience with Debian/Ubuntu or other distro packaging
• Understanding of build systems and toolchains, including cross‑compilation
• Experience with firmware, U‑Boot, UEFI, ACPI, DSDT, or boot loaders
• Experience with power management on PCI ASPM, SATA ALPM, low power profiles
• Computer architecture knowledge of x86, ARM, RISC‑V
• Experience in board design, bring‑up, and validation
• Experience with electrical engineering design tools (e.g. schematic capture, layout)
• Familiarity with Ubuntu development model
• Performance engineering and security experience
• Shell or Python scripting skills

Benefits

What we offer you

• 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

About Canonical

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. Canonical is a remote‑first company since its inception in 2004. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

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.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Software Development

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