About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, is the leading force in open source innovation for the enterprise. Ubuntu powers millions of servers, desktops, and cloud instances worldwide, and Canonical is at the forefront of transforming industries through open source software. In the telco sector, Canonical delivers mission-critical platforms like Ubuntu for NFVi, OpenStack, and Kubernetes, enabling operators to deploy 5G, OpenRAN, and cloud-native networks at scale. Our remote-first culture empowers engineers to work from anywhere, fostering collaboration across global teams while driving real-world impact.

Role Overview

As a Telco Cloud Engineer at Canonical, you will spearhead the design and delivery of advanced open source infrastructure for telecommunications giants transitioning to software-defined services. This hands-on role focuses on Ubuntu, OpenStack, Kubernetes, and automation tools to support VNF/CNF deployments in 5G and OpenRAN environments. Based remotely in the Americas, you'll engage directly with service providers, matching their needs to cutting-edge capabilities in NFVi, NFVO, VNFM, and MEC. If you have a passion for Python, Terraform, and telco-grade virtualization, this position offers the chance to shape the future of telco cloud infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Your day-to-day will involve leading complex projects from conception to deployment:

• Match customer requirements to advanced VNF/CNF/NFVi capabilities.
• Provide expert pre-sales consulting to service provider teams.
• Design and implement multi-tenant private and micro clouds using open source technologies.
• Deploy scalable solutions with OpenStack, Kubernetes, MAAS, and Ceph.
• Investigate, report, and resolve software defects during customer engagements.
• Demonstrate Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform, Python scripting, and Juju charms for services like Kafka, Hadoop, and PostgreSQL.
• Guide customers toward Bare Metal, Public, Private, and Hybrid Cloud adoption.
• Drive product improvements and influence Canonical's telco roadmap based on real-world feedback.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks engineers with deep telco expertise and open source proficiency:

• Mandatory: Intermediate-level Python software development experience.
• Terraform automation and IaC proficiency.
• Thorough understanding of telco NFVi (VIM), NFVO, VNFM, and MEC architectures.
• Technical knowledge of CPU Pinning, NUMA, SRIOV, DPDK, and other performance optimizations.
• Working knowledge of MNO/CSP infrastructures, Mobile Packet Core, Radio, VAS, OSS/BSS.
• Expertise in Linux, OpenStack, and Kubernetes networking for telco virtualization.
• Strong project leadership, customer focus, communication skills, and willingness to travel up to 50%.

A collaborative mindset and passion for automating open source tools are essential for success in this dynamic environment.

Benefits & Perks

Joining Canonical means accessing unparalleled benefits tailored for top engineering talent:

• Fully remote work from anywhere in the Americas, embracing our remote-first philosophy.
• Competitive salary estimated at $140,000-$180,000 USD annually, based on tech sector rates.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous paid time off, parental leave, and wellness programs.
• Learning stipends for certifications in OpenStack, Kubernetes, and telco technologies.
• Stock options and performance bonuses tied to company growth.
• Opportunities for global travel to customer sites, conferences, and Canonical events.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by impact, not tenure. As a Telco Cloud Engineer, you'll work on high-visibility projects influencing Ubuntu's telco dominance. Advance to senior engineering, solutions architecture, or leadership roles in our Field Engineering organization. Our engineers contribute to upstream open source projects, publish blogs, and speak at events like MWC and OpenStack Summit. With mentorship from telco veterans and access to Canonical's University training, you'll continuously evolve in 5G, OpenRAN, and cloud-native technologies.

Why Join Canonical

Canonical stands out in the open source world for its commitment to Ubuntu as the universal platform for telco transformation. We're not just a vendor; we're partners in innovation, powering 5G core networks, edge computing, and OpenRAN deployments for the world's largest operators. Our remote-first culture eliminates commutes, promotes work-life balance, and connects you to a global community of 1,000+ engineers. Contribute to products used by billions, with the freedom to innovate and the stability of a profitable company. If you're excited about open source driving the telco revolution, Canonical is your launchpad.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, this is a home-based position in the Americas, with up to 50% travel for customer meetings and events.

What is the tech stack?

Core technologies include Ubuntu, OpenStack, Kubernetes, Python, Terraform, Juju, MAAS, Ceph, and telco-specific tools for 5G/OpenRAN.

Do I need telco experience?

Yes, deep knowledge of NFVi, NFVO, VNFM, MEC, and MNO/CSP architectures is required.

How does Canonical support professional development?

Through internal training, conference attendance, certifications, and direct contributions to open source projects.

What makes Canonical different in telco?

Our focus on production-grade open source delivers scalable, automated solutions that accelerate 5G adoption while reducing vendor lock-in.