Containerization & Virtualisation Engineer

Canonical; Remote; ZAR 1 312 000 - 1 969 000; Full time

Job summary

A technology company specializing in open-source software is seeking exceptional software engineers to focus on virtualization and container technology. This remote role involves designing features, engaging with communities, conducting security analysis, and collaborating with a distributed team. Ideal candidates have a strong academic background, experience in open-source technology, and proficiency in Go, Rust, or C/C++. The position offers a distributed work environment, annual reviews, and a personal development budget.

Benefits

Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year

Annual compensation review

Annual holiday leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Priority Pass for travel upgrades

Opportunity to travel to meet colleagues

Qualifications

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Experience in open-source virtualization or container technology.
• Experience working in the kernel or very low-level system.

Responsibilities

• Design and specify new features and build consensus on approach.
• Engage with upstream communities in your area of expertise.
• Conduct security analysis and reviews to ensure defense in depth.
• Create and monitor performance benchmarks to optimize the product.
• Collaborate proactively with a distributed team.
• Write high-quality code to create new features.
• Debug issues and produce high-quality code to fix them.
• Review code produced by other engineers.

Skills

Go

Rust

C/C++

Linux

Performance engineering

Security experience

Professional written and spoken English

Education

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM

Job description

About 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 breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. We collaborate with the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors.

About the Role

This role focuses on virtualization and container technology – from the kernel through userspace. The position seeks exceptional Go, Rust, or C/C++ software engineers to work on next‑generation open source VMM or container technology, and related open source networking and storage.

What You Will Focus On

• Design and specify new features and build consensus on approach.
• Engage with upstream communities in your area of expertise.
• Conduct security analysis and reviews to ensure defence in depth.
• Create and monitor performance benchmarks to optimise the product.
• Collaborate proactively with a distributed team.
• Write high‑quality code to create new features.
• Debug issues and produce high‑quality code to fix them.
• Review code produced by other engineers.
• Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding good solutions.

What We Look For

• Exceptional academic track record from high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about an alternative path.
• Drive and a track record of going above and beyond expectations.
• Experience on open‑source virtualization or container technology.
• Experience working in the kernel or very low‑level system.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred).
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Passion, thoughtfulness, and self‑motivation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events up to two weeks each.

Additional Skills We Value

• Performance engineering and security experience.

What We Offer

• 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.

Location

Remote container and virtualization engineering roles in every time zone.

EEO Statement

Canonical is an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.