Containerization & Virtualisation Engineer

Canonical; Rochester (MN); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a pioneering company in open source software as a Containerization & Virtualisation Engineer. You'll work on cutting-edge projects like RustVMM and Kubernetes, focusing on security-critical and performance-critical software. This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with global teams while contributing to innovative solutions in virtualization and container technology. Enjoy a remote-first culture with competitive compensation, annual reviews, and opportunities for professional growth. If you're passionate about open source and eager to make an impact, this is the perfect role for you!

Benefits

Competitive worldwide compensation

Annual reviews

Bonuses

Learning budget

Opportunities to travel

Distributed work environment

Qualifications

• Exceptional academic record and degree in Computer Science or STEM.
• Experience with open source virtualization or container tech.

Responsibilities

• Designing and specifying new features for virtualization and container technology.
• Conducting security analysis and reviews of software.

Skills

Go

Rust

C/C++

Python

Performance Engineering

Security

Education

Degree in Computer Science or STEM

Tools

Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)

Docker

Kubernetes

OpenStack

Job description

Join to apply for the Containerization & Virtualisation 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 leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders across sectors. We are a founder-led, profitable, and growing company with a remote-first culture, employing over 1000 colleagues in 70+ countries.

This is a general selection process for software engineers focused on virtualization and container technology — from kernel to userspace. Apply if you are an exceptional Go, Rust, or C/C++ software engineer interested in next-generation open source VMM, container technology, or related networking and storage projects.

Container, virtualization, and cloud infrastructure are essential for modern software deployment. We invest in open source projects related to application isolation, workload orchestration, OCI containers, microservices, and cloud infrastructure.

Current projects include:

• RustVMM: Developing a high-performance, secure hypervisor for Linux using Rust.
• Rockcraft: Enhancing Docker image quality, security, and consistency.
• LXD: Managing system containers and VMs across Linux platforms.
• Kubernetes: Building MicroK8s and Charmed Kubernetes for various deployment needs.
• OpenStack: Delivering cloud platform solutions like Charmed OpenStack, OVN/OVS, and Ceph.

We hire system-level C/C++, Golang, Rust, and Python developers to work on security-critical, performance-critical, and mission-critical software, focusing on containers, security, sandboxing, orchestration, and management.

Location: Remote roles available worldwide, with opportunities for in-person team sprints twice a year.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing and specifying new features
• Engaging with upstream communities
• Conducting security analysis and reviews
• Creating performance benchmarks
• Collaborating with a distributed team
• Writing, debugging, and reviewing high-quality code

Qualifications:

• Exceptional academic record and degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling alternative story
• Experience with open source virtualization or container tech
• Experience working at kernel or low system levels
• Proficiency in English
• Experience with Linux (Debian/Ubuntu preferred)
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
• Self-motivated, curious, flexible, and accountable
• Willingness to travel twice a year for company events

Valued Skills: Performance engineering and security experience.

What We Offer: Competitive worldwide compensation, annual reviews, bonuses, benefits, distributed work environment, learning budget, and opportunities to travel and meet colleagues.

About Canonical: Canonical is a pioneer in open source, known for Ubuntu, and committed to innovation, diversity, and remote work. We foster an inclusive workplace and are an equal opportunity employer.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Software Development