Senior Ubuntu Embedded Iot System Engineer

Canonical; Cape Town; Remote; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading open source software provider is seeking a Senior Ubuntu Embedded IoT System Engineer to work remotely in the EMEA region. This role involves collaborating with OEMs and ODMs to enhance the Ubuntu experience on hardware for various applications. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in STEM, exceptional skills in C, Python, and Bash, and the ability to work within a globally distributed team.

Benefits

Personal learning and development budget (USD 2,000 per year)

Extended holiday leave

Team Member Assistance Program

Priority Pass for travel upgrades

Qualifications

• Exceptional academic track record.
• Professional written and spoken English required.
• Experience with Linux boot-up process and kernel.

Responsibilities

• Provide software and system engineering services for OEM and ODM customers.
• Work closely with partners on platform bring-up.
• Collaborate with project managers and QA to fix critical problems.

Skills

C

Python

Bash

Linux debugging

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Fast learning

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or higher degree in STEM

Tools

Bootloader (e.g., u-boot)

Electrical engineering design tools

Job description

Senior Ubuntu Embedded IoT System Engineer

Canonical Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

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 public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT projects. We work with the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers across many sectors.

Our OEM Delivery Team partners with tier‑one OEM, IHV, and ODM customers to pre‑load Ubuntu Classic, Ubuntu Core, and bring Ubuntu directly to millions of users.

Location

This role will be based remotely in the EMEA region.

Role Overview

Represent Canonical with leading OEMs, ODMs, and silicon partners to deliver the best Ubuntu experience on partner hardware for robotics, automotive, SmartNIC, medical devices, industrial gateways, and other products. You will use your knowledge of Linux and hardware to improve Ubuntu for millions of users.

Responsibilities

• Provide software and system engineering services for OEM and ODM customers.
• Work closely with partners on platform bring‑up.
• Collaborate with project managers, field engineers, and QA to identify, triage, and fix critical problems.
• Engage with upstream projects to apply patches for bugs.
• Conduct root cause analysis, gather, and organize details to reproduce and explain results.
• Facilitate communication between Ubuntu, firmware, and hardware engineering teams.
• Occasional international travel to EU, USA, Taiwan, and China.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in STEM (preferably Computer Science or Electrical Engineering).
• Exceptional academic track record.
• Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
• Familiarity with C, Python, and Bash.
• Experience with Linux boot‑up process and kernel, boot, and system‑level architecture.
• Bootloader development experience (e.g., u‑boot).
• Software development on ARM or non‑x86 platforms.
• Linux debugging and resolution skills.
• Ability to be productive in a globally distributed team.
• Fast learning ability to work on cutting‑edge technologies.
• International travel availability (twice a year for company events up to two weeks).

Nice‑to‑have Skills

• Experience with system firmware (uboot, UEFI, ACPI, DSDT, boot loaders, device firmware).
• Debugging power management (PCI ASPM, SATA ALPM, low‑power profiles).
• Board design, bring‑up, and validation experience.
• Electrical engineering design tools (schematic capture, layout).
• Computer architecture knowledge of x86, ARM, RISC‑V.
• Familiarity with the Ubuntu development model.
• Shell/Python scripting skills.

What We Offer

• Compensation shaped by geography, experience, and performance worldwide.
• Annual base pay with performance‑driven bonus or commission.
• Personal learning and development budget (USD 2,000 per year).
• Annual compensation review and recognition rewards.
• Extended holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave.
• Team Member Assistance Program and Wellness Platform.
• Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events.

About Canonical

Canonical pioneers the global shift to open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu, one of the most important open‑source projects, we power AI, IoT, and cloud computing worldwide. We recruit globally and set a high standard for excellence.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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