System Software Engineer - Ubuntu Networking

Canonical; City of Moncton; Remote; CAD 111,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of open source software is seeking a System Software Engineer for Ubuntu Networking. This role involves improving connectivity across cloud, server, desktop, and IoT, emphasizing Linux network stack components. Candidates should have a strong background in Linux networking and programming in languages like Go, C/C++, Rust, or Python. The position offers a distributed work environment, opportunities for travel, and support for personal and professional development.

Benefits

Personal learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Travel opportunities to meet colleagues

Qualifications

• Deep understanding and passion for Linux networking.
• Interest in packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively with a distributed team.
• Write high-quality, well-designed and well-documented software.
• Display technical leadership towards partners and in open-source communities.

Skills

Linux networking knowledge

Professional experience with computer networks

Fluency in Go, C/C++, Rust or Python

Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu)

Education

Undergraduate degree in a technical subject

Tools

Systemd-networkd

NetworkManager

Open vSwitch

Job description

Overview

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. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person in interesting locations around the world to align on strategy and execution.

Location: This role will be based remotely in the AMERICAS region

Role summary

We are hiring a System Software Engineer for Ubuntu Networking. Our growing investment in Ubuntu enables us to hire a group of outstanding systems software engineers to focus on the connectivity of Ubuntu across cloud, server, desktop, and IoT. We aim to strengthen tooling, services, documentation, robustness, security, and clarity of Linux network abstractions to provide fast, reliable and secure connections for Ubuntu. The network stack is a core OS component where stability and uptime are paramount, contributing to Ubuntu’s success from IoT to Cloud. We are expanding the Foundations team to focus on this essential function and are looking for people passionate about lower level technologies involved in an operating system’s network stack.

We may touch kernel components and various networking stacks and tools (e.g., iwd, networkmanager, wpa_supplicant, bluez, iproute2, Open vSwitch, WireGuard, VPNs, and offload to smartnics). We model Ubuntu connectivity with Netplan and continue to drive this tooling forward as the easiest and most effective central tool to enable connectivity everywhere.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively with a distributed team
• Shape software-defined networking products for evolving data center architectures to meet bandwidth, reliability, security, and interoperability needs
• Write high-quality, well-designed and well-documented software
• Debug issues and produce high-quality code to fix them
• Collaborate with a globally distributed organization and contribute to technical documentation
• Display technical leadership internally, towards partners, and in open source communities
• Influence open-source projects and communities
• Shape innovative product strategies
• Work from home with global travel 2 to 4 weeks a year for internal and external events

Qualifications

• Deep understanding and passion for Linux networking, from kernel to user space
• Professional experience with computer networks, including virtual networks, distributed systems, and hardware offloading technologies
• Interest in systemd-networkd, NetworkManager, ModemManager, iwd, conman, bluez, iproute2, Open vSwitch, WireGuard and similar components
• Fluency in at least one of Go, C/C++, Rust or Python
• Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)
• Interest in packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu
• Strong academic track record
• Undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about an alternative path
• Curious, collaborative, accountable, and self-motivated
• Ability to travel internationally for company events

What we offer

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards
• Annual holiday leave
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
• Travel opportunities to meet colleagues
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, a key open-source project and platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we recruit on a global basis and maintain high standards. Most colleagues have worked from home since our inception in 2004. Working here challenges you to think differently, work smarter, and raise your game.

Equal opportunity: Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a workplace free from discrimination, and we consider all applications fairly regardless of identity or background.