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 across industries. As a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, Canonical employs over 1200 colleagues in 75+ countries, with a founder-led, profitable, and rapidly growing business model. Our mission drives the development of next-generation private cloud infrastructure, integrating KVM hypervisor, Ceph storage, and SDN networking to deliver mission-critical solutions for edge and core enterprise deployments. Ubuntu's widespread adoption by top public cloud providers, silicon leaders, and industry giants underscores Canonical's pivotal role in open source software.

Role Overview

The Software Engineering Manager - Container and Virtualisation Infrastructure role at Canonical focuses on leading high-performance remote teams building LXD, a cutting-edge container and VM manager that spans the full software stack from Linux kernel features to management APIs and CLIs. This position demands a blend of technical depth in virtualisation, storage, and networking with proven leadership in microservice architectures. Managers at Canonical balance team development, technical strategy, and delivery of high-quality software that powers global enterprise clouds. Fully remote in the Americas, this role includes 4-6 weeks of annual global travel for team sprints and events in exciting locations.

Key Responsibilities

In this leadership position, you will guide a distributed team of engineers toward excellence in container and virtualisation technologies. Core duties include leading remote engineers through complex distributed systems challenges, fostering talent via coaching, mentoring, and hands-on career development. You will set expectations across engineering teams, senior management, and stakeholders, while advocating for modern practices like code reviews and architectural oversight. Engagement with Canonical teams, the open source community, and partners is essential, ensuring seamless strategy execution in a remote-first environment.

Daily Impact

Expect to participate actively in the engineering process, reviewing code and architectures to maintain Ubuntu's high standards. Your focus on timely, high-quality delivery will shape LXD's evolution, anticipating impacts across kernel, networking, storage, and upper-layer APIs.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks candidates with deep familiarity in Linux kernel, virtualisation (KVM, LXD), storage (Ceph), networking (SDN), containers, and Kubernetes. A Bachelor’s or equivalent degree in Computer Science, STEM, or related field is required, alongside strong experience programming in C and/or Go. Proven track record in developing and growing engineering teams, solving distributed systems problems, and excellent technical communication skills are non-negotiable. Technical leadership in high-quality microservices and high-performance team management sets top candidates apart.

Technical Fluency

Successful hires are fluent across the stack, from low-level kernel modifications to high-level management tools, with a passion for open source collaboration and Ubuntu's ecosystem.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, performance-based compensation with annual reviews and bonuses, tailored to location, experience, and impact. Beyond base pay, enjoy a USD 2,000 personal learning budget, recognition rewards, generous holiday leave, maternity/paternity leave, and Employee Assistance Programme. Remote work is enhanced by twice-yearly in-person sprints, Priority Pass for travel, and upgrades for long-haul company events, reflecting our commitment to work-life balance and global teamwork.

Career Growth

At Canonical, engineering managers thrive through structured growth paths. You will develop colleagues into top-tier engineers, influence company culture, and tackle strategic challenges in open source infrastructure. With regular feedback, mentoring opportunities, and exposure to world-class projects, this role accelerates your leadership in cloud-native technologies. Canonical's remote-first culture ensures professional satisfaction, personal development, and collaboration with diverse, high-caliber teams worldwide.

Why Join Canonical

Joining Canonical means contributing to Ubuntu's legacy in open source, shaping the future of private clouds, and working in a profitable, innovative environment. Our remote-first model, combined with periodic global meetups, fosters deep connections and alignment on groundbreaking initiatives. Be part of a company pushing boundaries in AI, IoT, public cloud, and enterprise Linux, with unparalleled opportunities to lead and innovate.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, home-based in the Americas, with 4-6 weeks of travel per year for events and sprints.

What technologies will I work with?

LXD, KVM, Ceph, SDN, Linux kernel, containers, Kubernetes, microservices in C/Go.

What experience is required?

Engineering management in distributed systems, Linux expertise, team development track record, and a relevant degree.

How does Canonical support career growth?

Through coaching, USD 2,000 learning budget, performance reviews, and leadership in open source projects.

What makes Canonical unique?

Founder-led, profitable, global team building Ubuntu for the world's top tech enterprises.