About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, is a global leader in open source software innovation. Founded in 2004 by Mark Shuttleworth, Canonical develops Ubuntu, the world's most popular Linux distribution for desktops, servers, cloud, and IoT. With a mission to make open source software available to people everywhere, Canonical powers mission-critical infrastructure for enterprises, governments, and developers worldwide. The company's remote-first culture enables a diverse, talented team to collaborate across time zones, driving advancements in cloud-native technologies, AI, and edge computing. Canonical's commitment to sustainability in open source ecosystems sets industry standards, fostering vibrant communities around Ubuntu and related projects like Juju, MAAS, and OpenStack charms.

Role Overview

As a Community Engineer at Canonical, you'll be at the heart of building and scaling community management for Ubuntu and the broader open source ecosystem. This role spans multiple seniority levels, offering opportunities for technical experts passionate about Linux, open source, and sustainable community building. Fully remote and worldwide, you'll facilitate community leaders and participants, coordinating with Canonical's engineering, product, marketing, and developer relations teams. Your technical prowess and organizational skills will drive initiatives that amplify community impact, integrate volunteer contributions with Canonical's roadmap, and ensure Ubuntu remains the gold standard in open source collaboration.

Day-to-Day Impact

Expect a dynamic mix of technical support, content creation, event representation, and program leadership. From nurturing volunteer developers to speaking at global conferences, you'll embody Canonical's excellence in serving the open source world.

Key Responsibilities

Community Engineers at Canonical wear multiple hats to maximize open source velocity:

• Write high-quality blog posts, social media content, and technical documentation to promote initiatives, events, and accomplishments.
• Collaborate with developers, product managers, and external partners to solve community challenges and align plans for maximum impact.
• Engage Ubuntu community through platforms like Discourse, Matrix, IRC, and social media, nurturing contributions to core projects.
• Represent Ubuntu and Canonical at conferences, expos, and speaking engagements, sharing insights on technical community projects.
• Lead complex, multi-disciplinary programs from ideation to launch, ensuring efficient processes and sustainability.
• Provide technical support to volunteer developers, facilitating tools, QA, packaging, and integration with Canonical workflows.
• Support Canonical teams in their open source ecosystem engagement, bridging community needs with company goals.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks curious, self-motivated individuals with a proven track record in open source:

• Passion for technology, Linux, and working with brilliant minds; experience with Ubuntu (kernel, userspace), DevOps, software development, testing/QA, package management, or containers.
• Demonstrated public accomplishments via GitHub contributions, blog posts, talks, or social media (X/Twitter).
• Strong experience in open source communities, understanding volunteer contributor workflows.
• Technical program management expertise with excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Autonomy in fast-paced environments, flexibility with global time zones, and accountability for objectives.
• Soft skills: articulate, enterprising, thoughtful, and passionate about sustainable community building.

Additional strengths like community management, developer advocacy, or software development experience are highly valued.

Benefits & Perks

Joining Canonical means embracing a premium remote-first lifestyle:

• 100% remote work from anywhere worldwide, with ergonomic home office stipends.
• Paid travel for 2-4 weeks annually to internal summits and external events like FOSDEM, LinuxCon, or Ubuntu summits; optional additional travel.
• Competitive compensation with equity options, comprehensive health benefits, and generous parental leave.
• Professional development budget for conferences, courses, and certifications.
• Canonical's unique peer-reviewed performance culture, fostering growth without traditional hierarchies.
• Access to cutting-edge technologies and direct impact on Ubuntu's evolution.

Career Growth

Canonical invests in your trajectory with clear paths to senior Community Engineer, Community Lead, or cross-functional roles in Developer Relations or Product Management. Multiple seniority levels available mean tailored growth: juniors gain hands-on experience, seniors lead strategic initiatives. Regular feedback, global exposure, and contributions to high-visibility projects like Ubuntu kernel builds or Snapcraft accelerate your open source career. Many Canonical engineers advance to influential roles in the Linux Foundation or major tech firms.

Why Join Canonical

Canonical isn't just a job—it's a platform to shape open source's future. Work on Ubuntu, the backbone of cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), servers, and desktops for 40%+ of public cloud workloads. Our remote-first model eliminates commutes, enabling work-life balance across 70+ countries. Be part of a company that values excellence, transparency, and community autonomy. With ambitious goals to real-time Ubuntu and AI integrations, your work reaches billions. Canonical's track record—booting the world's first phone on ARM, pioneering container snaps—ensures you're building legacy tech.

Role FAQs

Is this role truly remote?

Yes, fully remote worldwide, with occasional travel reimbursed.

What seniority levels are open?

Multiple positions from junior to senior; all via this entry point.

Do I need to be an expert coder?

Technical proficiency required, but focus is facilitation over core development.

How does Canonical support open source?

We upstream contributions, fund community projects, and integrate volunteer work into official Ubuntu releases.

What's the application process?

Follow our guide at canonical.com/blog/how-to-get-a-job-at-canonical for best results.