System Software Engineer - GCC/LLVM compiler, tooling, and ecosystem

Canonical; London; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Canonical is seeking a System Software Engineer focused on GCC/LLVM compiler tooling in London. You'll work on enhancing developer experience with state-of-the-art runtimes and support for modern programming languages within the Ubuntu ecosystem. This role offers a unique opportunity to innovate and collaborate internationally, working within a fully remote framework, while enjoying competitive compensation and benefits.

Benefits

Annual compensation review

Personal learning and development budget

Distributed work environment

Opportunity for international travel

Maternity and paternity leave

Qualifications

• Relevant experience with GCC or LLVM.
• Experience in cloud-native software and Linux.
• Long-time Linux user with a passion for technology.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a distributed team and select best tooling.
• Write high-quality code to create new features.
• Debug issues and produce high-quality code.

Skills

C/C++

Linux distributions

Open source software

Packaging software (Debian/Ubuntu)

Education

Undergraduate degree in a technical subject

Exceptional academic track record

Job description

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System Software Engineer - GCC/LLVM compiler, tooling, and ecosystem, London

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Client:

Canonical

Location:

London, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Reference:

d544b22c0dd6

Job Views:

9

Posted:

27.06.2025

Expiry Date:

11.08.2025

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Job Description:

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with + 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.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.

We are hiring a System Software Engineer for GCC/LLVM compiler, tooling, and ecosystem

We are building a team to focus on the modern C and C++ programming language and their ecosystem on Ubuntu. They will deliver the best possible GCC and LLVM runtimes, developer experience and supporting tooling in Ubuntu. They will ensure that the cutting edge of modern programming languages innovation is available to Ubuntu users, to lay the foundation for future inventions and open source communities.

This is an exciting opportunity for a software engineer with a strong passion for compilers, runtimes and tool chains. You will have excellent competencies in modern C/C++, Linux distributions, software architectures and open source software. Come build a rewarding, meaningful career working with the best and brightest people in open source technology at Canonical, a growing international software company and make Ubuntu the best operating system to develop and run C/C++ applications in the cloud, in datacenters, in containers, directly on the operating system, and anywhere Ubuntu can run.

The Ubuntu Foundations Team delivers the core Ubuntu system, the base for the entire Ubuntu family of products and services. Ubuntu strives to deliver the latest-best free software components, in an easy to use and highly reliable form. We build on the technical excellence of keystone open source software like GNU and Debian and bring additional focus and shape to the solutions we offer the industry.

Part of the Ubuntu Foundations team, you will work on one of the most critical toolchains involved in the making of Ubuntu and the pillars of the modern software ecosystem. You will leverage your competencies and experience in C, C++ to make Ubuntu the best platform to develop, distribute and consume software built with GCC and LLVM. You will be passionate about the future of C, C++, of Ubuntu, mindful of the dynamics of the open-source ecosystem, and equally aware of the needs of large but innovative organizations. You will drive the best in class integration in Ubuntu from desktop to cloud in a secure, reliable, performing, efficient and future-proof fashion.

You will be discussing design with other team members , mentor less senior engineers, and participate in code reviews and design reviews. You will also be working with other teams to ensure architecture decisions improve the overall performance and experience of Ubuntu. Your role as part of the Ubuntu Foundations team will have an impact on every aspect of Ubuntu from Desktop, Server, Ubuntu Core and also cloud images.

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

The role entails

• Collaborate proactively with a distributed team
• Select, integrate and package best-of-breed tooling with Ubuntu to improve developer and operator experience with GCC and LLVM
• Write high-quality code to create new features
• Debug issues and produce high-quality code to fix them
• Review code produced by other engineers
• Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding good solutions
• Work from home with global travel 2 to 4 weeks a year for internal and external events

What we are looking for in you

• You have relevant GCC or LLVM experience, ideally in the world of cloud-native software and Linux
• You have experience in packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu
• You are a long-time Linux user
• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
• Undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path
• You love technology and working with brilliant people
• You are passionate, curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable
• You value soft skills and are passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long

What we offer colleagues

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2, 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