Software Engineering Manager - Sustaining Engineering

ZipRecruiter; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading open-source software company is seeking an Engineering Manager for Sustaining Engineering. This role focuses on leading a distributed team, delivering quality solutions, and enhancing bug resolutions for open-source software. Candidates should possess strong software delivery experience and leadership skills. The company offers a remote work environment, competitive compensation, and numerous benefits, including a personal learning budget.

Benefits

Personal learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Professional software delivery experience using C, C++, Go, or Python.
• Leadership experience with complex problem resolution.
• Strong commitment to testing methodologies and maintainable code quality.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead a distributed team of engineers.
• Support timely delivery of bug fixes and solutions.
• Advocate and advance modern software development practices.

Skills

C

C++

Go

Python

Linux

Leadership

Communication

Debugging

Version control

Tools

git

gdb

Job description

Overview

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 breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1100+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder led, profitable and growing.

We are hiring an Engineering Manager for Sustaining Engineering who is passionate about open source software, Linux and cloud computing. Come build a rewarding, meaningful career working with the best and brightest people in technology at Canonical, the growing international software company behind Ubuntu.

Sustaining Engineering is a business‑critical team that continuously improves open source software by resolving defects reported by customers. The software stack ranges from the kernel up to user space applications and IaaS platforms. This position leads one of our regional teams and reports directly to the global Director of Sustaining Engineering.

Our customers build large-scale mission critical infrastructure and application solutions on Ubuntu and open source from Canonical. While not actively developing products, Sustaining Engineering, as part of Support Engineering, solves problems for the customer and for the wider Open Source community. This team is well staffed with experts in every time zone and, while the work can be challenging, the team is resourced to ensure a good work‑life balance and ongoing development of each team member.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead a distributed team of engineers
• Hire, coach, mentor, provide feedback and career development guidance to your team
• Manage & measure key performance indicators (KPIs), and training
• Support timely delivery of bug fixes, patches, and other technical solutions to address business needs in a variety of technology fields, including but not limited to Ubuntu, OpenStack, Ceph, Kubernetes, Juju & MAAS
• Demonstrate the very best of Canonical in customer interactions
• Set and manage expectations with other engineering teams, senior management, and external stakeholders
• Advocate and advance modern software development practices
• Grow a healthy, collaborative engineering culture in line with the company value
• Collaborate with other teams in the organisation
• Work from home with global travel up to 10% for internal and external events

What we are looking for

• Professional software delivery experience using C, C++, Go, Python, or similar
• You are knowledgeable and passionate about software development
• Leadership experience displaying ability to organise and prioritise complex problem resolution and bug fixes
• Experience with version control systems such as git
• Experience with debugging tools such as gdb, crash or other
• Demonstrated strong commitment to testing methodologies and maintainable code quality
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written
• Experience with Linux, with a preference towards Ubuntu
• Experience with Open Source and Open Source Business Models
• People management experience in a support organisation is a strong plus

What we offer

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

• Distributed 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 of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence – to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home 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. A diverse mix of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds creates a better work environment and better products. We will give your application fair consideration.

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