Software Engineering Manager, Ubuntu Gaming

Canonical; San Bernardino (CA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative tech company is seeking a Software Engineering Manager to elevate the gaming experience on Ubuntu. In this pivotal role, you will lead a talented team to optimize performance, ensure robust security, and enhance compatibility for gaming on Linux. With a focus on collaboration with upstream projects and industry partners, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of Linux gaming. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a fully remote environment, engage with passionate communities, and drive significant improvements in the gaming ecosystem. If you are passionate about technology and gaming, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget

Annual compensation review

Recognition rewards

Holiday leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Program

Travel opportunities to meet colleagues

Travel upgrades for company events

Qualifications

• Experience with the Linux graphics stack and kernel drivers.
• Proven project management skills and technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to enhance the Ubuntu gaming experience.
• Manage project timelines and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Conduct code reviews focusing on quality and performance.

Skills

Linux graphics stack

Project management

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Collaboration with upstream projects

Education

Undergraduate degree in a technical subject

Job description

Software Engineering Manager, Ubuntu Gaming

Join to apply for the Software Engineering Manager, Ubuntu Gaming 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, as well as industry leaders across sectors. We are a pioneer in global distributed collaboration, with over 1100 colleagues in 75+ countries, and few office-based roles. Teams meet 2-4 times annually in interesting locations worldwide to align on strategy and execution.

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

As the Software Engineering Manager for Ubuntu Gaming, your mission is to make gaming on Ubuntu first-class. In this exciting time for Linux gaming, compatibility tools like Proton have matured, but a comprehensive gaming experience involves optimizing performance, ensuring robust and secure anti-cheat mechanisms, supporting full device compatibility, and facilitating content creation, sharing, and discovery. By collaborating with open-source projects and partners, you'll contribute to Ubuntu and the broader Linux gaming ecosystem.

Location: This role is remote, based in the Americas or EMEA region.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading your team to optimize and expand the Ubuntu gaming experience, focusing on the Steam Snap.
• Managing project timelines, balancing feature improvements with deadlines.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to align your team's work with other teams and company objectives.
• Conducting code reviews focusing on quality, performance, and modern design principles.
• Collaborating with upstream projects like Proton and partners like Unity to enhance Ubuntu's gaming capabilities.
• Working with other teams to ensure a cohesive Ubuntu experience.
• Driving hardware performance improvements.
• Engaging with the open-source and gaming communities for feedback and collaboration.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree in a technical subject or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to collaborate with upstream projects and partners.
• Experience with the Linux graphics stack, from user-space components to kernel drivers.
• Exceptional project management skills, including risk assessment and resource allocation.
• Technical leadership combined with team management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong planning skills for multi-cycle improvements.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events, up to two weeks each time.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Passion for technology and gaming.
• Initiative in identifying opportunities and solving challenges.
• Curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Soft skills including passion, enterprise, and self-motivation.

What we offer:

• Distributed work environment with biannual in-person team sprints.
• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget.
• Annual compensation review.
• Recognition rewards, holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Travel opportunities to meet colleagues.
• Travel upgrades for company events.

About Canonical:

Canonical is a pioneering open-source tech company, publisher of Ubuntu, and a leader in AI, IoT, and cloud platforms. We hire globally and uphold high standards for excellence. Most colleagues work remotely, and we encourage innovative thinking, continuous learning, and skill development.

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion.