Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

Canonical; Remote; SAR 337,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering tech firm is seeking an Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer to enhance Linux kernel performance for various SoC platforms. The role involves collaborating with global teams, resolving kernel issues, and ensuring integration with silicon vendor platforms. The ideal candidate has strong C programming skills and a background in hardware-level engineering. This position supports a remote work environment with opportunities for travel and offers a personal learning budget. Canonical fosters diversity and is committed to providing equal opportunities.

Benefits

Home-based work environment

Learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Professional manner with colleagues and business partners.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events.
• Significant programming ability in C.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a globally distributed team.
• Work with silicon vendors to integrate platform support.
• Diagnose and resolve kernel issues reported by partners.

Skills

C programming

Device drivers

BSP’s knowledge

Git

Kernel fundamentals

English communication

Self-motivation

Tools

Linux

Python

Bash

Job description

Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

Join to apply for the Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement role at Canonical.

Ubuntu Linux, already the most popular Linux distribution in the world, is looking to increase its adoption even further by expanding the number of System On Chip (SoC) platforms supported natively and further optimising to ensure the highest performant experience for all users. There is a strong demand from silicon manufacturers such as NVIDIA, Xilinx, MediaTek, and Qualcomm to provide Ubuntu Linux to their customers and Canonical is looking to broaden its silicon enablement squads to meet this challenge.

The Canonical Kernel Team – those responsible for the build, maintenance, and distribution of the Linux kernel for Ubuntu – is looking for individuals with a strong flair for software development at the hardware level and a passion for ensuring the most optimal performance the silicon can provide.

What your day will look like

• Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
• Work closely with our silicon vendor partners to integrate their platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel for their product ranges
• Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel reported by partners, customers, the community at large, and discovered by your own rigorous testing
• Take responsibility for the delivery of distinct silicon‑optimised variants of the Ubuntu Linux kernel to the world
• Improve tooling and automation for the delivery and test of Ubuntu Linux kernels
• Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with both internal and external upstream maintainers
• Identify new means of maximising performance on partner silicon

What we are looking for in you

• Well‑organised and motivated self‑starter able to thrive in a remote work environment
• Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open‑source community
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal
• Significant programming ability in C
• Strong grasp of device drivers, BSP’s, and other aspects of hardware‑level system engineering
• Solid background with git
• Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length

Additional skills that you might also bring

• Python and Bash scripting ability
• Prior background with the major SoC families
• Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
• Demonstrated experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging
• Solid understanding of performance optimisation for silicon platforms

What we offer you

• Home‑based 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
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunity to travel to new locations 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, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence – in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Canonical has been a remote‑first company since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

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.