About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, is a leading force in open source software. Founded to champion free and open source ideals, Canonical powers millions of desktops, servers, clouds, and devices worldwide with Ubuntu, the world's most popular Linux distribution. Our mission is to deliver the best open source software experiences, enabling innovation across industries from cloud computing to embedded systems. With a remote-first culture spanning every time zone, Canonical employs top talent globally to shape the future of Linux and open source technologies.

Role Overview

As a Linux Kernel Engineer at Canonical, you'll join a large, rapidly growing kernel team responsible for Ubuntu's Linux kernels across all platforms—from embedded devices and Raspberry Pi to cloud environments, mainframes, and supercomputers. This role spans all seniority levels, offering opportunities in technical leadership, engineering management, and directorships. Focus areas include hardware enablement, virtualization, security, reliability, and performance. Canonical partners with major silicon vendors to upstream their work quickly, backed by a 10-year enterprise security commitment. Work on projects like Kernel Livepatch, confidential computing, real-time kernels, FIPS compliance, and optimizations for storage like Ceph and DRBD.

Key Projects

• Ubuntu kernel planning, benchmarking, and stress testing
• Optimized kernels for silicon and cloud partners
• Developer platforms like Raspberry Pi and RISC-V
• Security primitives with AppArmor, SECCOMP, and namespaces
• Networking performance and security enhancements

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will involve proactive collaboration with a globally distributed team and partners like silicon and cloud manufacturers. Diagnose and fix kernel issues, take ownership of Ubuntu kernel flavors, enhance tooling for delivery and testing, and handle patch submission, review, and application. Expect to contribute to production readiness of the latest patchsets, ensuring Ubuntu excels in diverse environments from desktops to supercomputers.

Qualifications & Requirements

We seek exceptional candidates with outstanding academic results from high school and university, typically holding an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM (or a compelling alternative path). Essential skills include significant C programming experience, solid Git proficiency, broad Linux kernel knowledge, kernel patching/debugging expertise, and understanding of upstream processes. A strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, low-level systems engineering, and Linux (preferably Ubuntu/Debian) is crucial. You must be self-starting, organized, result-oriented, with excellent English communication, interpersonal skills, and flexibility to travel globally twice a year for up to two weeks each at company events. Additional assets: Python/Bash scripting, Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers a premium remote-first experience: work from home anywhere worldwide (except Taipei office pressure), with teams in every time zone for seamless collaboration. Enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive health benefits, generous vacation, and parental leave. Perks include home office stipends, learning budgets, and access to cutting-edge hardware. Our 10-year security commitment ensures long-term impact, while global engineering events foster networking and growth.

Career Growth

Canonical invests in your development with clear paths to senior roles, management, and directorships. Gain exposure to diverse kernel projects, upstream contributions, and partnerships with industry leaders. Our distributed model hones remote collaboration skills, while mentorship from kernel experts accelerates expertise. Many engineers advance to lead optimizations for key partners or spearhead innovations like confidential computing.

Why Join Canonical

Join the team underpinning Ubuntu and open source at scale. Work on stable and cutting-edge kernels reaching billions via silicon partners. Thrive in a passionate, high-accountability culture valuing curiosity, excellence, and open source ethos. Canonical's remote-first approach eliminates commutes, offering work-life balance with global impact. Be part of projects enabling Ubuntu on everything from embedded systems to supercomputers, driving Linux forward.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, home-based worldwide, with no office requirements except optional events.

Q: What experience levels are welcome? All—from recent graduates to industry experts with enthusiasm for kernel work.

Q: Do I need kernel subsystem maintenance experience? No, focus is production readiness, performance, and enablement.

Q: What's the travel commitment? Twice yearly for up to two weeks each at global engineering events.

Q: How does Canonical support open source? We lead upstreaming, partner with contributors, and ensure wide reach with Ubuntu's ecosystem.