About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, stands at the forefront of open source innovation, powering enterprise initiatives in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering, and IoT. As a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, Canonical employs over 1000 colleagues across 70+ countries with minimal office-based roles. Teams connect through strategic in-person sprints held 2-4 times annually in exciting global locations. Founder-led and profitable, Canonical continues to grow while delivering mission-critical open source solutions to leading public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders worldwide.

Role Overview

The Golang System Software Engineer - Containers / Virtualisation role sits at the heart of Canonical's LXD team, building next-generation private cloud infrastructure. This position combines KVM, Ceph, and SDN technologies to deliver data center-scale clouds that seamlessly support edge and core enterprise deployments. As a key contributor, you will develop low-level Go codebase bridging the REST API and C libraries for container and virtual machine management. Ideal for system-level developers passionate about design, data modeling, and impactful cloud computing advancements, this remote role in the Americas offers a fast-paced environment with global collaboration opportunities.

Impact on Modern Cloud Technologies

LXD spans the full software stack from kernel features to management APIs and CLIs. Canonical seeks engineers fluent across these layers, capable of anticipating design impacts in complex distributed systems. Join a team shaping the future of private clouds that 'just work' for mission-critical operations.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will drive technical excellence through hands-on development and collaboration:

• Design, implement, and document robust system-level Go code for container and virtualization management.
• Model complex data structures, design efficient database schemas, and implement storage solutions using dqlite (SQL) databases.
• Maintain superior code quality via static analysis, comprehensive unit tests, and full system testing.
• Collaborate proactively with a distributed global team, discussing ideas and co-creating optimal solutions.
• Work remotely with 2-4 weeks of annual travel for internal sprints and external events, fostering alignment and innovation.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks top-tier talent with proven expertise:

• Hands-on experience programming in Go and C languages.
• Deep knowledge of networking and storage technologies.
• Practical experience in at least two of: cloud computing, virtualization, containers, distributed systems, or open source communities.
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science, STEM, or a related field.
• Personal qualities including curiosity, flexibility, articulation, accountability, and strong soft skills; enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated mindset.

Why These Skills Matter

Our most effective engineers navigate the entire stack, from low-level kernel interactions to high-level APIs, ensuring cohesive, scalable solutions in distributed environments.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, performance-based compensation tailored to location, experience, and impact, with annual reviews and bonuses. Beyond base pay, enjoy:

• Fully distributed remote work with biannual in-person team sprints in inspiring locations.
• USD 2,000 annual personal learning and development budget.
• Recognition rewards for outstanding contributions.
• Generous annual holiday leave, plus maternity and paternity support.
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing.
• Travel perks including Priority Pass and upgrades for long-haul company events.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by excellence and impact. Regular compensation reviews ensure recognition of high performers, with frequent adjustments for graduates and associates. The remote-first culture since 2004 emphasizes learning, challenging conventional thinking, and skill development. Access global opportunities, contribute to Ubuntu—one of the world's most vital open source projects—and elevate your expertise in cloud-native technologies.

Professional Development Focus

With a dedicated learning budget and exposure to cutting-edge projects, engineers advance rapidly, from system-level coding to architectural leadership in open source ecosystems.

Why Join Canonical

Canonical is more than a workplace—it's a launchpad for future-focused careers. As publishers of Ubuntu, we power AI, IoT, and cloud platforms transforming industries daily. Our remote-first model, high standards, and commitment to diversity create an inclusive environment where excellence thrives. Join a profitable, growing company pioneering open source at scale, with global travel, collaborative sprints, and the chance to influence modern infrastructure. Canonical is an equal opportunity employer, ensuring fair consideration regardless of identity, background, or perspective.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, home-based in the Americas with 2-4 weeks annual travel for team events.

Q: What technologies will I work with? Primarily Go and C, with dqlite databases, KVM, Ceph, SDN, containers, and virtualization.

Q: What's the compensation structure? Competitive base pay based on experience and location, plus performance bonus and annual reviews.

Q: Do I need prior Canonical experience? No—strong technical skills and relevant experience in listed areas qualify you.

Q: How does Canonical support diversity? We foster inclusive workplaces valuing diverse experiences for better products and environments. Learn more at canonical.com/careers/diversity.