About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the world's leading open source operating system powering enterprise cloud, AI, data science, IoT, and innovation initiatives globally. As a pioneer in distributed collaboration, Canonical employs over 1200 colleagues across 75+ countries with minimal office-based roles. Teams connect through strategic in-person meetings two to four times yearly in exciting global locations. Founder-led and profitable, Canonical continues to grow while delivering cutting-edge open source solutions to public cloud providers, silicon leaders, and industry pioneers.

Role Overview

The Rust Engineering Lead role at Canonical drives the integration of Rust into Ubuntu and broader open source offerings. Rust represents a transformative language for system-level services, evolving from traditional C/C++ paradigms. This position spans firmware, embedded software, bootloaders, kernel, input handling, and desktop environments. Canonical aims to position Ubuntu as the premier platform for Rust development with superior tooling. Open to all experience levels, candidates undergo initial interviews before matching to ideal product teams based on interests. Canonical invests in Python, Go, C, C++, React, Flutter, and now Rust across its ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

As a Rust Engineering Lead, your daily impact includes designing and implementing robust, well-tested, and documented Rust software. Advocate for Rust adoption within Canonical and upstream projects, identifying priority codebases for migration. Debug user issues, contribute to code and architectural reviews, and collaborate on technical specifications. Drive engineering process improvements, occasionally deploy services, and provide technical advocacy for product success. Thrive in a fully home-based, distributed environment upholding the highest standards.

Daily Tasks Breakdown

• Develop high-quality Rust code for Linux systems
• Promote Rust in open source communities
• Optimize projects for Rust implementation
• Resolve complex debugging challenges
• Enhance team practices and operations

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks exceptional talent with strong academic backgrounds from high school and university, including an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM—or a compelling alternative narrative. Essential: extensive personal Linux experience across distributions, professional Rust development on Linux, and passion for system-level work. Senior roles require distributed systems and APIs expertise. Candidates must be self-starting, organized, result-oriented, with excellent interpersonal skills, professional English, and ability to travel twice yearly for up to two weeks. Value diversity, exhibit drive beyond expectations, and shine in multicultural settings.

Nice-to-Have Expertise

• Ubuntu development experience
• Work with LXD, MicroK8s, SnapD, Juju, Ubuntu Core, Ubuntu Pro
• Performance and security engineering

Benefits & Perks

Join Canonical for unparalleled flexibility: fully home-based roles worldwide across every time zone. Enjoy competitive compensation reflecting tech sector leadership, plus biannual travel to inspiring global summits. Benefit from a profitable, growing company with remote-first culture, fostering work-life balance. Access cutting-edge projects shaping Linux future, collaborate with elite engineers, and contribute to Ubuntu's global dominance in open source.

Career Growth

Canonical invests in talent progression. Rust Engineering Leads advance through impactful contributions, gaining exposure to enterprise-scale projects. Move into senior leadership, product ownership, or specialized domains like kernel development or IoT. Regular feedback, skill-building opportunities, and cross-team mobility ensure continuous growth. Excel alongside motivated global colleagues in a merit-based environment prioritizing innovation and execution.

Why Join Canonical

Be part of redefining Linux foundations with Rust at Canonical, the Ubuntu powerhouse. Work remotely from anywhere, influencing public cloud, AI, and IoT revolutions. Our distributed model eliminates commutes, emphasizing results over location. Founder-led stability combines with rapid growth, offering equity-like upside in a profitable firm. Contribute to open source that billions rely on, with resources for peak performance in a supportive, high-accountability culture.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role truly remote? Yes, fully home-based worldwide, open to all time zones with minimal travel.

Q: What experience level is required? All levels—from junior to lead—based on demonstrated Rust and Linux expertise.

Q: How does team matching work? Post-initial interviews, align with best-fit product teams per your interests.

Q: What makes Canonical unique? Profitable open source leader, Ubuntu innovator, global distributed pioneer.

Q: Are there relocation requirements? None—stay where you are, travel only for company events.