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 infrastructure in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our platform supports the world's leading public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders across sectors. With over 1200 colleagues in more than 75 countries, Canonical embodies a founder-led, profitable, and rapidly growing organization. We pioneered global distributed collaboration, with most roles fully remote since 2004, supplemented by two to four annual in-person team sprints in exciting global locations. This remote-first culture fosters excellence, innovation, and work-life balance while driving Ubuntu's dominance in enterprise Linux.

Role Overview

Canonical is seeking a Senior Site Reliability Engineer to elevate next-generation operations at scale. This globally remote role focuses on pure Python infrastructure-as-code, spanning bare metal to containers and applications. Our mission is to perfect enterprise DevOps through automation, embracing a universal operator pattern and model-driven operations. We manage hundreds of private clouds, Kubernetes clusters, and application deployments across physical and public cloud environments for marquee customers. Success demands a software engineering mindset applied to operations—treating automation as a rigorous coding challenge, not ad-hoc fixes. You'll thrive in a high-pressure setting with mission-critical services, learning the full stack from kernel-level networking to serverless architectures, all while staying ahead of open source advancements.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Canonical, you'll apply Python expertise to architect and operate cutting-edge infrastructure. Key responsibilities include:

• Designing and running OpenStack, Kubernetes, and software-defined storage solutions with DevSecOps rigor from bare metal to applications.
• Implementing automation via pure Python code to handle operations at massive scale, driven by metrics and scientific approaches.
• Evolving infrastructure offerings to incorporate the latest open source capabilities, ensuring customers access cutting-edge solutions.
• Collaborating in a distributed team to maintain 24/7 availability for global brand-name clients.
• Participating in biannual sprints to align on strategy, execution, and innovation in Ubuntu-powered ecosystems.

Qualifications & Requirements

To excel in this role, you need a strong foundation in software engineering and operations. Required qualifications include:

• A degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science.
• Hands-on experience with Linux, including networking and storage systems.
• Expertise in Python software development.
• Proven operational experience in high-stakes environments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Willingness to travel internationally twice yearly for up to two-week company events.

Nice-to-have skills include experience with OpenStack or Kubernetes deployment/operations and familiarity with public/private cloud management. A passion for open source infrastructure—from metal to containers—is essential.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, location-agnostic compensation shaped by experience and performance, with annual reviews and performance-driven bonuses. Beyond base pay, enjoy:

• Fully distributed work environment with exciting biannual team sprints worldwide.
• USD 2,000 annual personal learning and development budget.
• Comprehensive annual holiday leave, maternity, and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support.
• Recognition rewards and Priority Pass with travel upgrades for long-haul events.
• Opportunities to explore new locations while meeting global colleagues.

These benefits reflect Canonical's commitment to fairness, local needs, and a supportive remote-first culture.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by excellence and impact. As a Senior Site Reliability Engineer, you'll gain exposure to the broadest range of cloud technologies, from Ubuntu's core to advanced Kubernetes and OpenStack deployments. We invest in your growth through dedicated learning budgets, staying current with open source evolutions, and hands-on experience with enterprise-scale operations. High performers see frequent compensation adjustments, while our flat structure and global collaboration accelerate skill-building. Whether advancing to leadership in DevOps or specializing in AI/IoT infrastructure, Canonical challenges you to think differently, work smarter, and shape the future of open source.

Why Join Canonical

Joining Canonical means stepping into the future of software. Ubuntu's ubiquity in cloud, AI, and IoT positions you at the intersection of innovation and scale. Our remote-first model eliminates commutes, offering flexibility and trust-based autonomy. Work with top talent across 75+ countries on mission-critical projects for global leaders. Canonical's profitability ensures stability, while our founder-led vision fuels bold initiatives. Embrace a culture of excellence, where automation, metrics, and code redefine operations. If you're passionate about Ubuntu, open source, and engineering infrastructure perfection, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, this is a globally remote position with occasional international travel for team sprints.

What technologies will I work with?

Primarily Python, Linux, OpenStack, Kubernetes, and DevSecOps tools across bare metal to cloud.

How is compensation determined?

Based on location, experience, and performance, with annual reviews and bonuses.

What support is provided for professional development?

A USD 2,000 yearly learning budget plus exposure to cutting-edge open source projects.

Does Canonical hire worldwide?

Absolutely—we recruit globally and adapt benefits to local needs for fairness.