About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the world's leading open source operating system powering enterprise innovation across public cloud, data science, AI, engineering, and IoT. As a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, Canonical employs over 1000 colleagues across 70+ countries with a fully remote-first culture. The company is founder-led, profitable, and rapidly growing, serving top public cloud providers, silicon giants, and industry leaders like Mercedes, Ford, GM, Elektrobit, Intel, Nvidia, Google, Dell, HP, Accenture, and Tata. Canonical's mission is to deliver secure, reliable open source solutions that enable breakthrough technologies, including Software Defined Vehicles in the automotive sector.

Role Overview

The Solutions Architect for Automotive role at Canonical is a customer-facing position focused on driving enterprise adoption of Ubuntu and open source technologies in the automotive industry. This home-based, worldwide remote opportunity requires deep expertise in embedded Linux, low-level boot processes, firmware, and automotive-specific challenges. You'll collaborate with ambitious tech entrepreneurs and partners to solve real-world problems, from presales engagements to proof-of-concepts (PoCs) for Software Defined Vehicles. If you thrive on the pace of open source innovation and speaking the language of automotive leaders, this role offers a platform to influence the future of embedded systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with automotive customers and prospects during presales to gather requirements, demonstrate Ubuntu's capabilities, and tailor solutions for embedded environments.
• Liaise with Canonical's specialists in cloud, Kubernetes, security, and safety to aggregate expertise into comprehensive offerings for partners like OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
• Contribute to project delivery, including building demos and PoCs for Embedded Linux applications in vehicles.
• Convey market insights and requirements to internal stakeholders, occasionally participating in developing or refining solutions to capture automotive opportunities.
• Serve as both a customer advocate and trusted Canonical advisor, ensuring the best open source outcomes regardless of commercial interests.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks competitive, business-focused technologists with a unique blend of automotive domain knowledge and hands-on technical prowess. Essential qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Extensive experience with Linux, preferably Debian or Ubuntu.
• Solid background in embedded Linux, including Yocto or RTOS.
• Fluency in programming languages such as Golang, Python, C, C++, or Rust.
• Professional-level written and spoken English, plus excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven interest in customer-facing roles, including pitching solutions and understanding client needs.
• Result-oriented mindset with the ability to multitask, meet commitments, and learn quickly.
• Relevant experience in the automotive industry, with knowledge of low-level Linux boot, BIOS, firmware, and embedded development.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% for customer meetings, company events, and conferences, though most work is remote.

Additional desirable skills include experience with ISO26262 (functional safety) and ISO21434 (cybersecurity) standards, as well as prior customer engagements in tech sales or consulting.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers a premium employment package tailored to global talent:

• Fully home-based role with worldwide flexibility—no office required.
• Competitive salary based on location, experience, and performance, estimated at $120,000–$180,000 USD annually.
• Opportunities for in-person team alignments in exciting global locations 2-4 times per year.
• Work with world-class partners shaping the future of automotive software.
• Access to Canonical's full open source stack, from kernel to cloud, fostering continuous learning.
• Profitable, stable company with a focus on employee growth and work-life balance.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by impact and expertise. Solutions Architects advance by mastering customer challenges, contributing to product roadmaps, and leading high-stakes engagements. The 'hardest job at Canonical' builds versatile leaders who influence open source strategy. With rapid expansion in automotive, AI/MLOps, and edge computing, top performers gain visibility across engineering, sales, and executive teams, often transitioning to senior architect, management, or specialized roles.

Why Join Canonical

Join a remote-first pioneer where Ubuntu powers the world's most innovative enterprises. Canonical's commitment to open source means your work impacts millions—from cloud hyperscalers to next-gen vehicles. Enjoy a collaborative culture with driven team players, intellectual freedom to solve complex problems, and the pride of team victories. In automotive, you'll pioneer Ubuntu's role in Software Defined Vehicles, adapting cloud-native tech to embedded constraints. Canonical values humble learners who embrace change, offering a platform for ambitious technologists to excel globally.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, it's home-based worldwide, with up to 30% travel for key events.

Q: What automotive experience is required? Relevant industry background is essential, ideally with embedded systems or vehicle software.

Q: Do I need specific certifications? Experience with ISO26262/ISO21434 is a plus but not mandatory.

Q: How does Canonical support professional development? Through global collaborations, in-person summits, and exposure to cutting-edge open source projects.

Q: What's the team structure? Part of a worldwide field engineering team focused on enterprise adoption of Ubuntu and related technologies.