System Software Engineer - Rust compiler, tooling, and ecosystem

Canonical; Detroit (MI); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate System Software Engineer to enhance Rust support within the Ubuntu ecosystem. This role offers the chance to work on critical toolchains that impact various platforms, from cloud to desktop. You will collaborate with a talented, distributed team, focusing on delivering the best Rust runtime and tooling experience. With a flexible remote work culture and opportunities for professional growth, this position is ideal for those eager to innovate in open source and Linux environments. Join a forward-thinking company that values diversity and encourages creativity.

Benefits

USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget

Regular compensation reviews

Recognition rewards

Holiday leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Wellness programs

Travel opportunities

Biannual in-person sprints

Qualifications

• Relevant Rust experience, especially in cloud-native software and Linux.
• Strong academic background with a degree in a technical field.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate within a distributed team to enhance Rust support on Ubuntu.
• Participate in code and design reviews, mentoring less experienced engineers.

Skills

Rust programming

Linux

Cloud-native software

Debian packaging

Collaboration

Education

Degree in a technical field

Equivalent experience

Job description

System Software Engineer - Rust compiler, tooling, and ecosystem

Join to apply for the System Software Engineer - Rust compiler, tooling, and ecosystem 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 and industry leaders worldwide. We operate with a distributed team of 1200+ colleagues across 75+ countries, with few office-based roles, meeting in person 2-4 times a year in interesting locations.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing. We are hiring a System Software Engineer for Rust compiler, tooling, and ecosystem to focus on enhancing Rust support on Ubuntu. The team aims to deliver the best Rust runtime, developer experience, and tooling in Ubuntu, ensuring that modern programming language innovation is accessible to Ubuntu users and supporting future open source communities.

This role offers an exciting opportunity for a software engineer passionate about open source, Linux, software architecture, and Rust. You will help make Ubuntu the premier platform for developing and running Rust applications across cloud, datacenter, containers, and desktop environments.

As part of the Ubuntu Foundations Team, you will work on critical toolchains that underpin Ubuntu and the broader software ecosystem. Your work will impact Ubuntu's Desktop, Server, Ubuntu Core, and cloud images. Responsibilities include discussing design with team members, mentoring less experienced engineers, participating in code and design reviews, and collaborating with other teams to improve Ubuntu’s architecture and performance.

Location: This role is remote within the AMERICAS region.

The role entails:

• Proactive collaboration within a distributed team
• Selecting, integrating, and packaging tooling for Ubuntu to improve Rust development and operation
• Writing high-quality code for new features
• Debugging and fixing issues
• Code reviews and design discussions
• Collaborating on solutions
• Remote work with 2-4 weeks of travel annually for events

Candidate requirements:

• Relevant Rust experience, especially in cloud-native software and Linux
• Interest or experience in packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu
• Long-term Linux user
• Strong academic background
• Degree in a technical field or equivalent experience
• Passion for technology and collaboration with talented teams
• Curiosity, flexibility, accountability, and soft skills

What we offer:

• Distributed work environment with biannual in-person sprints
• USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget
• Regular compensation reviews
• Recognition rewards, holiday, maternity, paternity leave
• Wellness programs and travel opportunities

About Canonical:

Canonical pioneers open source innovation, publishing Ubuntu, a key platform for AI, IoT, and cloud. We hire globally, uphold high standards, and promote a flexible, remote work culture, challenging employees to think differently and grow professionally.

We are an equal opportunity employer, valuing diversity and inclusion in our workplace.