Engineering Manager, MAAS

Canonical; Greater London; Remote; GBP 95,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Distributed work environment

Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000

Annual compensation review

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Recognition rewards

Annual holiday leave

Job summary

A leading open-source software provider is seeking an Engineering Manager for the MAAS team. This role involves leading a distributed engineering team, managing expectations with stakeholders, and advocating for modern software practices. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, exceptional software delivery experience using Python or Golang, and familiarity with Linux. The position offers a distributed work environment with opportunities for international travel to meet colleagues.

Qualifications

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Proven experience delivering software using Python, Golang, or similar languages.
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.
• Familiarity with Linux cloud technologies: networking, storage, containers, K8s.
• Ability to understand complex distributed systems.
• Excellent English, both written and spoken, with strong presentation skills.
• Experience with agile software development.
• Mentor and support team members; meet commitments.
• Willingness to travel internationally for events.

Responsibilities

• Lead a distributed engineering team across time zones.
• Set and manage expectations with other engineering teams.
• Advocate modern software development practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering and ensure delivery of high-quality software.
• Travel to internal and external events 4–6 weeks per year.
• Shape technical direction, drive strategy and execution, influence culture.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high‑quality software.
• Resolve challenging distributed systems problems in a distributed environment.

Skills

Python

Golang

Linux system administration

Agile methodologies

Networking

Containers

Kubernetes

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

Kubernetes

Docker

Linux administration

Cloud technologies

Job description

Company Overview

Canonical is a leading provider of open‑source software and operating systems, most notably Ubuntu. Our platform is widely used in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. With 1200+ colleagues in over 80 countries, we operate globally with few office‑based roles, meeting in person twice to four times a year.

Role Overview

Engineering Manager expanding the MAAS team. MAAS ("Metal as a Service") delivers a cloud‑style on‑demand API for private bare‑metal infrastructure, including physical server provisioning, network configuration, and storage. The role requires deep familiarity with Linux on physical servers, Linux storage, and data center networking.

Location

This is a work‑from‑anywhere position available in EMEA or the Americas.

Responsibilities

• Lead a distributed engineering team across time zones, facilitating coaching, mentoring, and career planning.
• Set and manage expectations with other engineering teams, senior management, and external stakeholders.
• Advocate modern software development practices and participate in engineering processes through code and architectural reviews.
• Engage with broader Canonical teams (cloud‑init, LXD, public cloud) and the open‑source community and partners.
• Travel to internal and external global events 4–6 weeks per year.
• Guide the technical direction, drive strategy and execution, and positively influence team and company culture.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering and ensure delivery of high‑quality software.
• Solve challenging distributed systems problems in a complex, distributed environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and a background in Computer Science.
• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Proven experience delivering software using Python, Golang, or similar languages.
• Experience with Linux system administration (Debian or Ubuntu preferred).
• Familiarity with modern Linux cloud computing technologies, including networking, storage, containers, and K8s.
• Technical aptitude for understanding complex distributed systems.
• Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
• Experience with agile software development methodologies.
• Ability to mentor, develop, and support team members.
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments.
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.

Nice‑to‑have Skills

• Typescript using modern web frameworks such as React, Angular, Svelte, or Vue.
• Data Center infrastructure management and design.

Benefits

• Distributed work environment with bi‑annual in‑person team sprints.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review.
• Recognition rewards.
• Annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.