Software Engineer - packaging - optimize Ubuntu Server

Canonical; Madison (WI); Remote; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a passionate Software Engineer to join their Ubuntu Engineering Server Team. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge open source software, collaborating with talented engineers to shape the future of Ubuntu. You will maintain and package essential software for web servers, databases, and containers, while fostering a seamless ecosystem for users. With a commitment to global collaboration, this position allows for remote work with occasional travel for team sprints. Join a forward-thinking organization dedicated to open source excellence and make a significant impact in the technology landscape.

Benefits

USD 2,000/year learning budget

Annual compensation review

Recognition rewards

Holiday leave

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Travel opportunities

Priority passes

Upgrades

Qualifications

• Strong fundamentals in C/C++, Python, Rust, or Go.
• Interest or experience in open source maintenance or contribution.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate within a distributed team to maintain high-quality standards.
• Debug issues in open source and team-maintained code.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Rust

Go

Open Source Contribution

Soft Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science

STEM Degree

Tools

Docker

VirtualBox

QEMU

Job description

Software Engineer - Packaging - Optimize Ubuntu Server

Join to apply for the Software Engineer - Packaging - Optimize Ubuntu Server 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, and IoT. Our customers include top public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders across sectors. We are a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries, and few office-based roles. Teams meet 2-4 times yearly in interesting locations worldwide to align on strategy and execution.

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

Our Ubuntu Engineering Server Team seeks open source enthusiasts to help build the distro of the future. We maintain and package software including webservers, databases, virtualization, and containers. This role offers a chance for passionate software engineers to work with top talent and help bring free software to a broad audience.

Ubuntu Server is a platform enabling global technology, and is the #1 OS in public clouds. You will contribute to evolving Ubuntu, working with experienced engineers and learning new skills.

This role entails

• Proactively collaborating within a distributed team
• Fostering a seamless software ecosystem for all Ubuntu users
• Evaluating contributions of other engineers to maintain high-quality standards
• Shaping Ubuntu's future through new ideas and advising on ongoing work
• Collaborating with Ubuntu and Debian communities, upstream projects, and customers
• Debugging issues in open source and team-maintained code
• Maintaining Ubuntu Server packages, including:
• Server workloads (web servers, databases, network services)
• Virtualization and containers
• Package management and dependencies
• Language runtimes and toolchains
• Work from home with global travel 2-4 weeks for events

What we are looking for in you

• A passion for technology and collaboration with talented people
• Curiosity, flexibility, articulation, and accountability
• Soft skills, passion, enterprising attitude, thoughtfulness, self-motivation
• Interest or experience in open source maintenance or contribution
• Bachelor's or higher in Computer Science, STEM, or similar
• Understanding of reproducibility and testing; comfortable with containers or VMs; clear communication of issues
• Strong fundamentals in C/C++, Python, Rust, or Go
• Interest in distro packaging
• Basic understanding of package management and dependencies
• Interest in containerization/virtualization (Docker, OCI, LXD, VirtualBox, QEMU, Cloud)

What we offer colleagues

• Distributed work with biannual in-person sprints
• USD 2,000/year learning budget
• Annual compensation review
• Recognition rewards, holiday leave, parental leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Travel opportunities, priority passes, upgrades

About Canonical

Canonical pioneers in open source, publishing Ubuntu, a key platform for AI, IoT, and cloud. We recruit globally, uphold high standards, and have been remote-first since 2004. Working here challenges you to think differently, learn, and excel.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We promote diversity and fair consideration for all applicants regardless of background or identity.

Additional Details

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