Software Engineer - packaging - optimize Ubuntu Server

Canonical; Salt Lake City (UT); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Canonical is looking for a passionate Software Engineer to optimize Ubuntu Server. You will collaborate with a distributed team, maintain server packages, and contribute to open source projects. This role offers a competitive compensation package, including a learning budget and opportunities for global travel.

Benefits

Annual learning and development budget of USD 2,000

Recognition rewards

Annual leave

Parental leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities to travel and meet colleagues globally

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively within a distributed team.
• Maintain Ubuntu Server packages, focusing on traditional server workloads and containerization.
• Debug issues in open source and team-maintained code.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Rust

Go

Open Source

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science

Tools

Docker

OCI

LXD

VirtualBox

QEMU

Job description

Software Engineer - Packaging - Optimize Ubuntu Server

Join us to apply for the Software Engineer - Packaging - Optimize Ubuntu Server role at Canonical.

About the Role

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 worldwide. We are a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, with over 1200 colleagues across more than 75 countries, and very few roles are office-based. Teams meet in person 2-4 times a year in various exciting locations globally to align on strategy and execution.

Our company is founder-led, profitable, and growing. The Ubuntu Engineering Server Team at Canonical seeks open source enthusiasts to help build the distro of the future. We maintain and package a variety of software including web servers, databases, virtualization, and containerization stacks. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a passionate software engineer to work with top talent and contribute to bringing free software to a broad audience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively within a distributed team.
• Foster a seamless software ecosystem for all Ubuntu users.
• Evaluate contributions from other engineers to maintain high-quality standards.
• Shape the future of Ubuntu with new ideas and advice on ongoing work.
• Collaborate with the Ubuntu and Debian communities, upstream projects, and customers.
• Debug issues in open source and team-maintained code.
• Maintain Ubuntu Server packages, focusing on:
• Traditional server workloads (web servers, databases, network services)
• Virtualization and containers
• Package management and dependencies
• Language runtimes and toolchains
• Work from home with 2-4 weeks of travel for internal and external events.

Ideal Candidate

• Passionate about technology and working with talented teams.
• Curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable.
• Values soft skills and is passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated.
• Interest or experience in open source maintenance or contribution.
• Bachelor's or higher degree in Computer Science, STEM, or similar.
• Understanding of reproducibility and testing; comfortable with containers or VMs; able to articulate issues clearly.
• Strong fundamentals in C/C++, Python, Rust, or Go.
• Interest in distro packaging and understanding of package management and dependencies.
• Interest in containerization and virtualization technologies like Docker, OCI, LXD, VirtualBox, QEMU, or cloud services.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive, performance-based compensation package, including annual reviews, bonuses, and benefits such as:

• Distributed work environment with biannual in-person team sprints.
• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget.
• Recognition rewards, annual leave, parental leave, Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunities to travel and meet colleagues globally.

About Canonical

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

We promote diversity and are committed to a workplace free from discrimination. All applications are considered fairly regardless of background or identity.

Additional Details

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