About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the world's most popular Linux distribution for desktops, servers, and cloud. As a leading provider of open source software and operating systems, Canonical powers global enterprise initiatives in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the top public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders across sectors. With over 1200 colleagues in more than 80 countries, Canonical pioneers global distributed collaboration. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing rapidly, emphasizing a remote-first culture where teams meet in person two to four times yearly in exciting global locations.

Role Overview

Canonical is seeking an exceptional Software Architect to lead the architecture, design, and evolution of LXD and MicroCloud. LXD is a modern Golang-based system container and virtual machine orchestrator used across Ubuntu, ChromeOS, and other Linux platforms. MicroCloud combines LXD with Ceph storage and OVN networking for lean, resilient cluster-scale cloud infrastructure. The goal is to make clusters of compute—just one, two, or twenty servers—'just work' with trivial setup. This role demands expertise in distributed systems, virtualization, containers, networking, and storage, allowing engineers to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure complexities.

This home-based position is available in the Americas, offering flexibility in a fast-paced, fun team environment with meaningful impact on modern cloud computing technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Leadership

Drive the architecture and evolution of LXD and MicroCloud, spanning low-level kernel work on namespaces, confinement, security, filesystems, VMMs, and networking to high-level REST APIs and CLI.

Development and Review

Develop core features in Golang and C, review code from other engineers, and ensure the products are secure, performant, and reliable.

Team Mentorship

Mentor colleagues, advise on career progression, and exhibit technical leadership within Canonical and open source communities.

Global Collaboration

Work remotely with global travel twice annually for company events, maintaining a professional manner with colleagues, partners, and the community.

Qualifications & Requirements

We seek candidates with an exceptional academic track record from high school and university, including an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a related STEM field. Essential experience includes:

• Go (Golang) and C programming
• Storage, networking, and virtualization technologies
• Container technologies like LXD
• Concurrent, distributed systems
• Linux, preferably Debian or Ubuntu

Ideal candidates demonstrate drive, technical leadership, team motivation, self-starting organization, detail orientation, professional English communication, and interpersonal skills like curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, performance-based compensation reviewed annually, with bonuses or commissions. Benefits are tailored globally for fairness:

• Distributed remote work with in-person sprints twice yearly
• USD 2,000 annual personal learning and development budget
• Recognition rewards and annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for company events

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is a priority. This role provides opportunities to lead high-impact projects in open source, mentor teams, and influence Ubuntu's ecosystem. With annual reviews, learning budgets, and global exposure, you'll advance in a supportive environment that values outstanding performance and innovation.

Why Join Canonical

Join a profitable, growing company shaping the future of open source and cloud infrastructure. Work on Ubuntu, the backbone of enterprise Linux, in a remote-first culture that balances flexibility with purposeful in-person collaboration. Contribute to technologies used by millions, from public clouds to IoT, while enjoying a fun, learning-rich environment with global travel perks.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, it's home-based in the Americas with twice-yearly travel for team events.

What tech stack will I use?

Primarily Golang and C, focusing on containers, virtualization, distributed systems, networking, and storage on Linux/Ubuntu.

What experience level is required?

Senior-level expertise in the listed skills, with proven technical leadership.

How does Canonical support professional growth?

Through mentorship, USD 2,000 learning budget, annual reviews, and leadership opportunities in open source communities.

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