About Canonical

Canonical is the pioneering company behind Ubuntu, the world's leading open source operating system powering public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. As a founder-led, profitable, and growing tech firm, Canonical serves global enterprises, silicon providers, and industry leaders. With over 1200 colleagues across 75+ countries, Canonical champions a remote-first culture since 2004, fostering global distributed collaboration. Teams align through two to four in-person sprints yearly in exciting global locations, blending autonomy with strategic unity. Canonical's commitment to open source excellence positions it at the forefront of software innovation, challenging norms and enabling breakthrough technologies.

Role Overview

As a Visual Designer at Canonical, you'll join the central Design team to transform complex open-source software into intuitive, efficient products. This home-based role in EMEA focuses on evolving brand guidelines, UI design systems, and graphic elements for digital products and communications. Working with a diverse team, you'll impact millions of engineers, enterprises, entrepreneurs, and consumers by prioritizing real content, usability, accessibility, and web standards. Ideal for exceptional designers passionate about technology and open source, this position offers agency to innovate within a high-performing, multi-cultural environment.

Key Responsibilities

Your role will involve hands-on contributions to Canonical's visual identity and product experience:

• Develop and refine brand guidelines, applying them consistently to communications materials.
• Contribute to the UI design system, ensuring scalability and coherence across products.
• Create high-quality graphic designs for digital products, emphasizing stylish presentation.
• Collaborate with design colleagues on diverse projects, from brand evolution to user-facing graphics.
• Uphold quality heuristics, focusing on usability, accessibility, and adherence to web standards.

These responsibilities demand a blend of creativity and technical precision, directly influencing how Canonical's open source platforms like Ubuntu are perceived and used globally.

Qualifications & Requirements

Canonical seeks top-tier talent with a proven track record. Key qualifications include:

• Exceptional academic performance from high school through university.
• Undergraduate degree in a technical field or a compelling narrative for your alternative path.
• Professional experience in design from agency, company, or freelance settings.
• Confidence in sharing ideas, providing feedback, and leadership in skills development.
• Passion for technology demonstrated through personal projects and initiatives.
• Excellent professional English, interpersonal skills, and cultural sensitivity in a multi-national setting.
• Result-oriented mindset with self-motivation, flexibility, and ability to travel internationally twice yearly for up to two weeks.

Candidates must thrive in a remote, high-expectation environment, going above and beyond to deliver outstanding results.

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers competitive, performance-based compensation tailored to location, experience, and impact, with annual reviews and bonuses. Beyond base pay, enjoy:

• Fully distributed work with exciting twice-yearly global sprints.
• USD 2,000 annual personal learning and development budget.
• Comprehensive leave policies including maternity, paternity, and holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program and recognition rewards.
• Travel perks like Priority Pass and upgrades for long-haul company events.

These benefits reflect Canonical's values of fairness, growth, and work-life balance in a global context.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by performance and initiative. Annual compensation reviews ensure recognition of excellence, with frequent adjustments for high performers. The USD 2,000 learning budget supports skill-building in design tools, open source trends, and leadership. Mentorship opportunities abound in the central Design team, while cross-functional collaboration exposes you to AI, cloud, and IoT projects. Remote-first since inception, Canonical equips you to work smarter, learn continuously, and advance in a future-focused tech landscape.

Why Join Canonical

Joining Canonical means contributing to Ubuntu and open source revolutions that power the world's most innovative technologies. Work remotely from EMEA with a global team of elites, enjoying founder-led stability and growth. Elevate your craft in brand and UI design, impacting real-world enterprise solutions. Canonical's high standards demand excellence but reward it with unparalleled autonomy, travel, and development. In a multi-cultural, polite, and diverse organization, you'll think differently, raise your game, and shape the future of software.

Role FAQs

Is this role fully remote?

Yes, it's home-based in the EMEA region, with two international company events per year up to two weeks each.

What design experience is required?

Agency, company, or freelance experience with a focus on brand, UI systems, graphics, usability, and accessibility.

How is compensation structured?

Based on location, experience, and performance; includes base pay, annual bonus, and regular reviews.

Does Canonical support professional development?

Absolutely, with a USD 2,000 yearly learning budget and mentorship opportunities.

What is the company culture like?

Remote-first, multi-national, excellence-driven, with emphasis on feedback, diversity, and results.