About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, is a leading force in open source innovation. As the publisher of the world's most popular Linux distribution, Canonical powers everything from cloud infrastructure to edge computing, IoT devices, and enterprise data centers. Our mission is to deliver real value to customers through open source software that is secure, reliable, and scalable. With a global, remote-first culture, Canonical employs top talent from around the world to build comprehensive automation suites for multi-cloud and on-premise environments.

Our data platform team develops cutting-edge data stores and technologies, spanning big data, NoSQL, caching, analytics, and SQL engines. We're at the forefront of enterprise data solutions, enabling organizations to harness the power of open source for mission-critical workloads.

Role Overview

The Software Engineer - Data Infrastructure role on the OpenSearch team at Canonical focuses on creating the best enterprise automation solutions for search and analytics platforms like OpenSearch and Elasticsearch. This is a home-based position available in European, Middle East, and African (EMEA) time zones, offering full flexibility in a fully remote setup.

We're hiring across multiple levels, tailoring the position to your experience. Engineers who excel here balance open source community dynamics with the demands of large innovative organizations. Your work will automate OpenSearch operations—ensuring fault-tolerant replication, TLS security, seamless installation, and more—while providing domain expertise to other Canonical teams. This is about building robust data platform features, not data analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively collaborate with an internationally distributed team of engineers.
• Write high-quality, idiomatic Python code to develop new automation features for OpenSearch and Elasticsearch.
• Debug complex issues and interact publicly with upstream open source communities to resolve them.
• Work alongside helpful, talented experts in diverse fields like Linux, cloud, and data systems.
• Operate from home with occasional global travel for 2 to 4 weeks annually to attend internal workshops and external events.

Day-to-Day Impact

Expect a dynamic environment where you'll contribute to fault-tolerant systems that enterprises rely on. Your code will enable seamless deployment and management of search analytics suites across clouds and on-premise setups, directly supporting Canonical's Ubuntu-based data solutions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Required Skills

• Proven hands-on experience in software development using Python.
• Proven hands-on experience in distributed systems development.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science, STEM, or a related field.
• Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal Canonical events.

Additional Desirable Skills

Experience in these areas will influence your role level:

• Operating search engines like Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, and OpenSearch.
• Linux systems administration, package management, and operations.
• Public cloud or private cloud solutions like OpenStack.
• Kubernetes cluster operations, with conviction in its use for persistent data services.

Canonical values engineers mindful of open source principles and enterprise needs. Ubuntu expertise is a plus but not required—we'll help you grow.

Benefits & Perks

• Fully remote work, empowering work-life balance from anywhere in EMEA time zones.
• Competitive base salary tailored to your location, experience, and skills, with equity across our global workforce.
• Annual bonuses and revenue-based incentives for eligible roles.
• 2-4 weeks of paid global travel for collaborative events and conferences.
• Comprehensive benefits package, varying by location—ask your Talent Partner for details.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by impact, not tenure. Join a meritocratic culture where high performers advance quickly. You'll work on high-visibility projects shaping Ubuntu's data ecosystem, gaining expertise in open source leadership, distributed systems, and cloud-native technologies. Mentorship from senior engineers and exposure to global challenges prepare you for senior roles, tech leads, or management. Many engineers contribute to upstream projects, building resumes that stand out in the open source world.

Why Join Canonical

Canonical stands out with its remote-first culture, uniting 1,000+ engineers across 70+ countries. We power 60% of the world's largest clouds with Ubuntu, and our data infrastructure innovations enable enterprises to scale effortlessly. Enjoy autonomy, trust, and resources to innovate without bureaucracy. Contribute to open source that billions use, while enjoying premium compensation and perks. If you thrive in collaborative, high-achieving teams passionate about Linux and data technologies, this is your opportunity to make a global impact.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, fully remote from any EMEA time zone location, with minimal travel.

What experience level is needed?

We hire across levels based on your Python, distributed systems, and OpenSearch background.

Do I need Ubuntu experience?

No, but familiarity with Linux and open source is ideal. We'll provide training.

How is compensation structured?

Base pay depends on location/experience, plus bonuses. Full details during interviews.

What's the interview process?

Typically includes coding, systems design, and cultural fit discussions with the team.