About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering technology company at the forefront of the global shift to open source software. As the publisher of Ubuntu, one of the most influential open source projects worldwide, Canonical powers critical platforms for AI, IoT, public cloud, data science, and engineering innovation. Ubuntu is the foundation for breakthrough enterprise initiatives used by leading public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders across sectors. With over 1200 colleagues spanning more than 80 countries, Canonical embodies a founder-led, profitable, and rapidly growing organization. The company pioneered global distributed collaboration, with most roles being remote-first since 2004. Teams align through two to four in-person sprints annually in exciting global locations, fostering strategy and execution in a truly borderless environment.

Role Overview

The Python Software Engineer position in the Commercial Systems unit offers an exhilarating opportunity to contribute to Canonical's core business operations. This role sits within the Integrations team, which automates SaaS user management, onboards new data sources to the data mesh, and tracks spend across Canonical's application portfolio. Using Python-based solutions and open-source ETL tools, the team enables data-driven decisions organization-wide. Services developed here integrate internal and external data sources, leveraging technologies like Airbyte, Ranger, Temporal, or Trino where applicable. This home-based role in the EMEA region demands a passion for engineering excellence, continuous skill development, and collaboration across Canonical's engineering and business teams.

Key Responsibilities

In this position, you will drive high-impact engineering work at the heart of Canonical's commercial operations. Core responsibilities include developing robust Python solutions for automation and integration challenges. You will collaborate closely with peers on technical designs and rigorous code reviews to ensure top-tier quality. Deploying and operating team services will be a key part of your day-to-day, maintaining reliability in production environments. Depending on your seniority, you will coach and mentor junior engineers, providing career development feedback. Additionally, you will champion engineering best practices and organizational improvements, contributing to Canonical's culture of innovation and efficiency.

Daily Impact

Expect to tackle real-world problems like automating SaaS seat management, integrating data into the mesh for analytics, and optimizing workflows with open-source tools. Your work directly supports Canonical's growth by enabling scalable, data-informed business decisions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks engineers who embody excellence and drive. Essential qualifications include an exceptional academic track record from high school and university, paired with an undergraduate degree in a technical field or a compelling narrative for your alternative path. A proven track record in Python software development is non-negotiable, demonstrated by going above and beyond to deliver outstanding results. You must possess professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills, a result-oriented mindset, and the personal drive to meet commitments. Willingness to travel internationally twice a year for up to two-week company events is required. Nice-to-have experience includes performance engineering, security, and tools like Airbyte, Ranger, Temporal, or Trino.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers a comprehensive, globally fair compensation package tailored to location, experience, and performance. Base pay is complemented by performance-driven annual bonuses or commissions, with reviews conducted yearly—or more frequently for graduates and associates. Beyond salary, enjoy a distributed work environment with twice-yearly in-person sprints in inspiring locations. A USD 2,000 annual personal learning and development budget supports your growth. Additional perks include recognition rewards, annual holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave, an Employee Assistance Program, and travel benefits like Priority Pass and upgrades for long-haul company events. These programs balance local needs while upholding Canonical's values of fairness and excellence.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is fueled by performance and impact. Engineers are encouraged to continuously develop skills, with mentorship opportunities and structured feedback loops. The remote-first culture, combined with global sprints, exposes you to diverse perspectives and leadership. Annual compensation reviews ensure recognition of outstanding contributions, while the learning budget empowers certifications, courses, or conferences. As a growing company, Canonical provides pathways to senior roles, team leadership, and cross-functional impact in open source innovation.

Why Join Canonical

Joining Canonical means stepping into the future of software. Work on Ubuntu, the platform reshaping AI, cloud, and IoT, alongside the brightest minds in open source. Canonical's remote-first model offers unparalleled flexibility, trusted since 2004, challenging you to think differently, work smarter, and elevate your expertise. Be part of a profitable, founder-led powerhouse driving enterprise adoption of open source. With high standards and global reach, this is where top talent raises the bar, collaborates across continents, and shapes technology's trajectory.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, it's home-based in the EMEA region, with occasional international travel for team sprints.

Q: What Python experience is required? Substantial professional experience developing software in Python, ideally with automation, integrations, or data pipelines.

Q: Are there opportunities for seniority-based responsibilities? Absolutely—senior engineers mentor and guide career development.

Q: How does Canonical support professional growth? Through a $2,000 learning budget, annual reviews, and exposure to cutting-edge open source projects.

Q: What makes the Integrations team unique? It powers Canonical's data-driven decisions via SaaS automation and data mesh integrations using open-source ETL tools.