Alliances Field Engineer

Canonical; Buffalo (NY); Remote; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Canonical is seeking an Alliances Field Engineer to support major partners in adopting their open source platform. The role involves architecting cloud solutions, integrating software, and engaging with customers globally. Ideal candidates will have extensive Linux and Kubernetes experience, along with strong communication skills. Canonical offers a competitive compensation package, a distributed work environment, and opportunities for continuous learning.

Benefits

USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Recognition rewards

Holiday leave

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Travel opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with Linux, Kubernetes, and cloud solutions.
• Proficiency in Python and Bash, with strong troubleshooting skills.
• Interest in customer engagement and new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Architect cloud infrastructure solutions and integrate open source software.
• Support partners in architecting joint solutions with Canonical technologies.
• Facilitate onboarding sessions and workshops to promote Canonical products.

Skills

Linux

Kubernetes

Python

Bash

Networking

Automation

Interpersonal Skills

Presentation Skills

Education

Degree in Computer Science

Degree in Mathematics

Degree in Physics

Tools

PostgreSQL

MongoDB

Kafka

Cassandra

NGINX

Ceph

OpenStack

Spark

Job description

Join to apply for the Alliances Field Engineer 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. We are a pioneer of global distributed collaboration with over 1000 colleagues in more than 70 countries, with few roles based in offices. Teams meet a few times annually in various global locations to align on strategy and execution.

We are a founder-led, profitable, and growing company. We seek an Alliances Field Engineer to support our major partners (like Intel, Nvidia, Google, Dell, HP, Accenture, Tata) in understanding and adopting our open source platform for their and their customers' benefit.

Our worldwide field engineering team applies expert insights to real-world customer problems, enabling enterprise adoption of Ubuntu, OpenStack, Kubernetes, AI/MLOps, and related technologies. We are experts across the open source stack, from kernel to desktop, cloud to edge. We also focus on business challenges—building reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solutions—and learn to speak the language of our customers and industries.

We assist global companies in adopting public/private cloud infrastructure, cloud-native operations, and open source applications. For this role, you will support OEMs, GSIs, ISVs, channel partners, and public cloud alliance partners to adopt our products and technologies, and help define joint go-to-market strategies from a technical perspective.

Our field engineers are tasked with providing comprehensive, thoughtful support across all aspects of our solutions and products, earning their reputation as having 'the hardest job at Canonical'.

Location: This is a home-based role, open worldwide.

What your day will look like

• Understand Ubuntu, Linux, networking, and services in real-world environments.
• Architect cloud infrastructure solutions like Kubernetes, Kubeflow, OpenStack, Ceph, and Spark on-premises or in the cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
• Architect and integrate open source software such as PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Kafka, Cassandra, and NGINX.
• Support partners in offering and architecting joint solutions with Canonical technologies in cloud and data center environments.
• Design and publish reference architectures and conduct technical validations with partners.
• Facilitate onboarding sessions and workshops to promote Canonical products and solutions.

If you are passionate about open source, cloud-native development, data center technologies like Kubernetes, or computer networking, you'll find this role exciting.

What we are looking for in you

• Extensive Linux experience (Ubuntu preferred), Kubernetes, Ceph, automation skills.
• Experience designing solutions on public/private clouds.
• Proficiency in Python and Bash, troubleshooting skills.
• Fluent English communication skills.
• Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills.
• High motivation, multi-tasking ability, reliable follow-up.
• Interest in customer engagement, pitching, and understanding customer environments.
• Interest in new technologies like LXD, Juju, and Snaps.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% globally.
• Degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or related field.

What we offer you

We offer competitive worldwide compensation, reviewed annually, with additional benefits reflecting our values. Benefits include:

• Distributed work environment with bi-annual team sprints.
• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget.
• Annual compensation review, recognition rewards, holiday leave, parental leave, Employee Assistance Programme, and travel opportunities.

About Canonical

Canonical pioneers open source innovation, publishing Ubuntu, a key platform for AI, IoT, and cloud. We hire globally, uphold 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, committed to diversity and inclusion, and considers all applications fairly.

Additional details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and IT
• Industry: Software Development