Developer Relations Engineer

Canonical; Cape Town; Remote; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Cape Town is seeking a Developer Relations Engineer to engage with open-source communities and enhance the developer experience. Responsibilities include participation in product meetings, community engagement, and collaboration with teams. Ideal candidates are passionate about open-source, have experience in Linux software packaging, and possess strong communication skills. Competitive compensation and benefits are offered in a distributed work environment.

Benefits

Annual performance-driven bonus

Learning and development budget of USD 2,000

Distributed work environment

Annual compensation review

Qualifications

• Strong programming or development background.
• Real-world experience in deploying software using Linux.
• Hands-on experience with software packaging tools.

Responsibilities

• Participate in team product meetings and contribute insight.
• Engage with developer community members across various platforms.
• Collaborate with other teams to ensure consistent approaches.
• Solve technical problems identified by users or colleagues.
• Contribute to technical documentation for developer users.
• Create technical articles, presentations, and workshops.
• Identify opportunities for improvement in developer experience.
• Present at conferences and technical events.

Skills

Passion for open-source software

Experience with Linux software packaging

Effective communication and presentation skills

Ability to build trust and relationships

Job description

Developer Relations Engineer

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.

About the role

Canonical is the publisher of Ubuntu, serving millions of developers building for the cloud, IoT and data science. We have created a new Developer Relations team to engage directly with open‑source communities and developer‑centric organisations.

What your day will look like

• Take part in team product meetings – from strategy to day‑by‑day development progress – contributing insight and expertise.
• Maintain conversations with developer community members wherever they are found – IRC, social media, product forums, meet‑ups and more.
• Work with colleagues from other teams in the company to help establish commonality and consistent approaches.
• Help solve specific technical problems that users or colleagues have identified.
• Contribute to technical documentation to ensure that developer users' needs are met.
• Work on technical articles, presentations or workshops.
• Identify new opportunities and directions for improvement in the developer experience.
• Present at conferences, meet‑ups or technical events.

What we are looking for in you

• A strong candidate is a programmer or developer with a demonstrable passion for and engagement in open‑source software.
• Has worked with real‑world challenges developing and deploying software using Linux.
• Has practical hands‑on experience of Linux software packaging (including Snaps, debs, charms, rocks, PIP, containers).
• Understands current software packing issues and trends in the Linux ecosystem.
• Has been a contributor to open‑source communities, software and documentation.
• Is an engaging, vivacious speaker and presenter.
• Can work effectively, tactfully, empathetically and confidently in contexts where different parties have different perspectives, needs and understanding.
• Builds trust, relationships and confidence.
• Is willing to travel globally twice a year for company events, as well as to upstream and partner events.

Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring

• Previous experience in a developer advocacy or community role.
• In‑depth familiarity with Ubuntu and the Canonical ecosystem of products.

What we offer you

• Compensation is shaped by geographical location, experience and performance worldwide.
• Annual compensation review and performance‑driven annual bonus.
• All team members receive benefits reflecting our values and ideals, balanced to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
• Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly in‑person team sprints.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review, recognition rewards and annual holiday leave.
• Maternity and paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues and others.
• Priority Pass for travel and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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.