Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon

Canonical; Mississauga; Remote; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Software Platform Engineering Manager to lead teams optimizing a widely recognized open-source platform for next-gen silicon. This role involves overseeing engineering practices, collaborating with top-tier silicon vendors, and ensuring high-quality delivery across various hardware platforms. With a commitment to operational excellence and a focus on cutting-edge technology, this position offers the opportunity to influence culture and strategy within a globally distributed team. Join a forward-thinking organization that values diversity and fosters a remote-first work environment, encouraging continuous learning and development.

Benefits

USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Recognition rewards

Annual leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities to travel and meet colleagues

Travel perks for company events

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in Computer Science or related fields.
• Experience in software engineering leadership and team management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of engineers from graduate to senior levels.
• Oversee project delivery and maintain platform software stacks.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Linux

Leadership

Professional English Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Computer Science or STEM

Strong academic record

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon

Join to apply for the Software Platform Engineering Manager - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon role at Canonical.

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is widely used in enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include top public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders across sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and few office-based roles. Teams meet a few times a year in interesting locations worldwide to align on strategy and execution.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing. We are hiring engineering managers passionate about operational systems, open source technologies, and cutting-edge hardware to lead teams enabling and optimizing Ubuntu for the latest x86, ARM, RISC-V, s390x, and POWER systems.

We partner with leading silicon vendors to optimize Ubuntu on their platforms, integrating new features and performance enhancements while ensuring a consistent user experience. Engineering Managers should be outstanding developers, capable of reviewing patches and design specs, driving engineering practices, documentation, quality, and performance improvements, and leading high-quality delivery.

An Engineering Manager handles line management and career guidance, develops engineering talent, represents their team and product technically, and collaborates across teams and with customers. You will influence culture, facilitate delivery, and work on strategy and execution.

Location: This is a globally remote role with open positions in every time zone.

What your day will look like

• Lead and develop a team of engineers from graduate to senior levels
• Oversee commercial engagements and support timely project delivery
• Participate as technical lead on complex system architecture engagements
• Implement disciplined engineering processes
• Maintain and integrate platform software stacks
• Optimize Ubuntu for new hardware platforms
• Display technical leadership internally and externally
• Contribute to code reviews and documentation
• Collaborate with leadership teams

What we are looking for in you

• Strong academic record from high school and university
• Degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling alternative story
• Fluency in C, C++, and Python
• Experience with Linux and systems software (kernel or user space)
• Experience with Debian/Ubuntu or other distro packaging
• Leadership experience in software engineering
• Professional English communication skills
• Confidence in speaking up, giving feedback, sharing ideas
• Thoughtfulness and self-motivation
• Result-oriented with a drive to meet commitments
• Willingness to travel internationally twice a year for up to two weeks

Nice-to-have skills

• Experience with open source communities and licenses
• Knowledge of x86, ARM, RISC-V, s390x architectures
• Understanding build systems and cross-compilation
• Experience working with customers
• Board bring-up and validation experience
• Experience with Linux virtualization, networking, or graphics stacks
• Experience with Docker, OCI containers, K8s
• Knowledge of confidential computing, RDMA, Infiniband, high-performance computing
• Performance engineering, benchmarking, profiling

What we offer you

Our compensation considers location, experience, and performance, with annual reviews and a performance bonus. Additional benefits reflect our values and local needs, ensuring fairness globally.

• Distributed work environment with biannual in-person team sprints
• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual leave, maternity and paternity leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities to travel and meet colleagues
• Travel perks for company events

About Canonical

Canonical pioneers open source, publishing Ubuntu, a key platform for AI, IoT, and cloud. We hire globally, set high standards, and expect excellence. Since 2004, we've been a remote-first company, encouraging innovative thinking and continuous learning.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer

We foster a workplace free from discrimination, valuing diversity of experience and background. All applications are given fair consideration.