About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, stands at the forefront of open source software innovation. As a leading provider of enterprise-grade operating systems and solutions, Canonical powers breakthrough initiatives in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Ubuntu, our flagship platform, is trusted by the world's top public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry leaders across sectors. With over 1100 colleagues spanning 75+ countries, Canonical pioneers global distributed collaboration. Teams convene 2-4 times yearly in exciting global locations for strategy alignment, embodying our founder-led, profitable, and rapidly growing culture.

Role Overview

Join Canonical as a Software Engineering Manager in Sustaining Engineering, a business-critical team dedicated to enhancing open source software by resolving customer-reported defects. This role leads a regional team in the Americas, reporting to the global Director of Sustaining Engineering. Covering the full stack from Linux kernel to user-space applications and IaaS platforms like Ubuntu, OpenStack, Ceph, Kubernetes, Juju, and MAAS, you'll ensure mission-critical infrastructure reliability for enterprise customers. Fully remote and home-based, this position offers a balanced work-life environment with expert staffing across time zones, focusing on professional growth and impactful contributions to the open source community.

Key Responsibilities

As Engineering Manager, your focus is empowering your team while driving technical excellence:

• Lead and manage a distributed team of engineers across the Americas region.
• Hire top talent, provide coaching, mentorship, feedback, and career development guidance.
• Manage key performance indicators (KPIs), training programs, and team metrics.
• Support timely delivery of bug fixes, patches, and solutions across Ubuntu, OpenStack, Ceph, Kubernetes, Juju, and MAAS.
• Represent Canonical exceptionally in customer interactions and set expectations with stakeholders.
• Advocate modern software development practices and foster a healthy, collaborative culture aligned with company values.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, senior management, and external partners.
• Work remotely with up to 10% global travel for events.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks proven leaders passionate about open source, Linux, and cloud computing:

• Hands-on software delivery experience with C, C++, Go, Python, or similar languages.
• Deep knowledge and passion for software development, Linux (Ubuntu preferred), and open source models.
• Leadership in organizing and prioritizing complex bug fixes and problem resolution.
• Proficiency with git version control and debugging tools like gdb or crash.
• Strong commitment to testing methodologies and maintainable code quality.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• People management experience in support organizations is highly desirable.

Your technical leadership will guide team growth, ensuring high-impact delivery for Canonical's global customers.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, location-adjusted compensation with annual reviews and performance-driven bonuses. Enjoy global remote work flexibility, minimal office requirements, and up to 10% travel to inspiring locations. Team members receive tailored benefits reflecting our values, including professional development, work-life balance, and recognition for outstanding contributions. As a growing, profitable company, we invest in your success with fair, localized programs.

Career Growth

At Canonical, engineering managers thrive in a supportive environment prioritizing people development. You'll influence culture, strategy, and execution while growing as a leader. With direct reporting to global directors and cross-team collaboration, this role accelerates your career in open source leadership. Ongoing training, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge technologies like Ubuntu and cloud platforms ensure continuous professional advancement in a remote-first, innovative company.

Why Join Canonical

Work with the brightest minds in technology on Ubuntu, the world's most widely adopted open source platform. Contribute to mission-critical enterprise solutions benefiting millions. Our remote-first culture, global reach, and commitment to open source business models offer unparalleled impact. Profitable and founder-led, Canonical provides stability, growth, and rewarding experiences in a collaborative, high-performance setting.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, it's home-based in the Americas with up to 10% travel for events.

Q: What technologies will I work with? Ubuntu, Linux kernel, OpenStack, Ceph, Kubernetes, Juju, MAAS, and more.

Q: Do I need prior management experience? Yes, especially in support organizations; technical leadership is essential.

Q: How does Canonical support work-life balance? Expert-staffed teams ensure manageable workloads with focus on development.

Q: What's the compensation structure? Base pay plus performance bonus, reviewed annually based on location and performance.