Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel
Job description
A leadership role overseeing a globally distributed team of Linux kernel engineers who build, maintain, and optimize the Ubuntu kernel. It is aimed at senior engineers, tech leads, or team leads ready to move into full-time engineering management.
At a glance
- Employment
- Full-time · Employee (employment agreement)
- Work mode
- Remote · Worldwide
- Languages
- English – professional
What you'll do
- Transition from individual contribution or technical leadership into full-time people and project management
- Lead and mentor a globally distributed team of talented Linux kernel engineers
- Manage the delivery, testing, and maintenance of Ubuntu kernels across various platforms (cloud, server, desktop, and IoT)
- Drive engineering excellence, ensuring code quality, security, and performance standards are met consistently
- Develop and execute team strategies, aligning with broader company goals and product roadmaps
- Collaborate with silicon vendors, cloud partners, and internal Canonical teams to enable new hardware and features
- Own the release cycles and update cadence for your team's kernel portfolios
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, feedback, open-source collaboration, and accountability within the team
What we're looking for
- Proven experience as a Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead, or similar role with a strong desire to transition into a formal management position (no prior direct management experience required)
- Solid technical background in systems software, C programming, or operating systems concepts
- Prior experience developing with software packaging formats
- Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers, guide complex technical projects, or drive architectural decisions
- Leadership potential and a commitment to skills development and mentorship
- Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation
- Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long
Nice to have
- Experience acting as a scrum master, project lead, or informal mentor for remote teams
- Direct experience contributing to or participating in the Linux kernel community
- Familiarity with continuous integration (CI) and automated testing frameworks for systems software
- Direct experience with the Linux or other operating system kernels
- Direct Ubuntu/Debian/Snap experience
Your team
Kernel Engineering
Kernel teams distributed across every time zone, building, maintaining, and optimizing the Ubuntu Linux kernel.
Benefits
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events
- Performance-driven annual bonus or commission
Apply
About Canonical
The company behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 2004.
Mission
Changing the world of software through the global move to open source
Key facts
- 2004
- Open source software
- Publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects
- Founder-led, profitable, and growing
- Recruits on a global basis
- Most colleagues have worked from home since inception in 2004
- Has kernel teams and openings in every time zone
- Has no offices (with the notable exception of Taipei, Taiwan)
What they value
- Excellence
- Continuous learning
- Feedback
- Open-source collaboration
- Accountability
- Diversity