About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the leading open source operating system powering breakthrough enterprise initiatives worldwide. From public cloud and data science to AI, engineering innovation, and IoT, Ubuntu is trusted by the world's top public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders across sectors. As a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, Canonical employs over 1200 colleagues across 80+ countries, with most roles remote-first. Teams align on strategy through in-person meetings two to four times a year in inspiring global locations. Founder-led, profitable, and rapidly growing, Canonical is at the forefront of making open source easier, more reliable, and more secure for deployment and development.

Role Overview

Canonical is seeking an Engineering Director, Devices Software Engineering, for its office-based role in Taipei, Taiwan. This pivotal leadership position drives the strategy and implementation of next-generation Ubuntu hardware enablement quality. Partnering with Ubuntu Enablement and Certification engineering directors, you will transform Linux certification standards, delivering the world's best long-term OS stability for PC, server, and IoT hardware. In a landscape where traditional Linux certification falls short—failing to account for ongoing security fixes, six-monthly updates, and LTS kernel improvements—Canonical is pioneering continuous quality and certification. You'll oversee the build-out of the world's largest Linux device certification facility in Taipei, ensuring every Ubuntu change is verified on certified hardware while measuring energy consumption to reduce the global carbon footprint of Ubuntu deployments.

Key Responsibilities

As Engineering Director, you will:

• Lead the Devices Software Engineering team in quality coordination and integration testing of Ubuntu software stacks with hardware ecosystems.
• Establish robust quality processes from the ground up, focusing on PC, ARM IoT, and emerging RISC-V hardware.
• Drive continuous testing across the entire certified hardware portfolio, verifying security fixes, updates, and LTS improvements.
• Implement benchmarking and energy measurement to enhance performance clarity and sustainability commitments.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate quality throughout the development lifecycle.
• Set and defend high expectations for team work ethic, consistency, focus, and continuous learning.

Leadership Expectations

Engineering Directors at Canonical are hands-on technical leaders. Review patches, approve designs, and contribute code to model excellence—though your greatest impact lies in shaping team direction and delivery. Manage managers while growing talent through code reviews, mentoring, and soft skills training.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks candidates who embody technical mastery and leadership:

• Outstanding systems software engineer comfortable with kernel-level code, patches, and design specs.
• Director-level experience managing engineering managers in high-stakes environments.
• Quality expert with proven ability to build processes for hardware-software integration.
• Deep knowledge of PC/ARM IoT hardware, board lifecycles, and tools for new product introduction; excitement for RISC-V.
• Expertise in testing, benchmarking, and performance optimization.
• Track record driving whole-team efforts for superior products in open source or enterprise settings.

This office-based role in Taipei demands high technical skill, management acumen, and passion for open source transformation.

Benefits & Perks

Joining Canonical offers unparalleled rewards:

• Shape the future of Ubuntu and open source at a profitable, growing company.
• Remote-first culture with global collaboration and exciting in-person summits.
• Competitive compensation in Taipei's tech hub, with opportunities for career acceleration.
• Access to cutting-edge hardware certification lab and partnerships with silicon leaders.
• Commitment to sustainability through energy-efficient computing initiatives.
• Professional development in technical and leadership skills.

Career Growth

Canonical invests in its leaders. Engineering Directors gain exposure to enterprise-scale open source projects, influencing strategy for millions of Ubuntu users. Hone management skills through training, mentor rising stars, and lead initiatives that redefine Linux reliability. With Canonical's expansion in AI, cloud, and IoT, this role positions you for broader impact in a founder-led organization prioritizing innovation and excellence.

Why Join Canonical

Canonical is more than a workplace—it's a mission to deliver 'most software to most companies' via open source. Ubuntu's ubiquity in enterprise compute offers unmatched scale. In Taipei, you'll spearhead a landmark facility advancing continuous certification and green computing. Embrace a distributed, high-performance culture where engineers lead by example, and your work drives global change. If you're a quality visionary ready to elevate Ubuntu's hardware ecosystem, Canonical is your platform.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role remote? No, it's office-based in Taipei to oversee the new certification facility.

Q: What hardware focus? PC, ARM IoT, and RISC-V; emphasizing continuous testing post-certification.

Q: Management level? Director managing managers, with hands-on engineering required.

Q: Why Taipei? Home to Canonical's flagship Linux device lab for scale and efficiency.

Q: Sustainability role? Yes, includes energy measurement to minimize Ubuntu's carbon footprint.