Software Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel
Canonical
WorldwideremotePosted 1 month ago
Skill Required
Software-Engineering-ManagerEngineering-ManagementLinux-Kernel-EngineeringSoftware-DevelopmentLinux-Systems-Engineering-ManagerLinux-Kernel-EngineerEngineering-ManagerEngineering ManagerSoftware EngineerSoftware Developersoftware engineeringEngineeringLinuxCI/CDR ProgrammingdevelopingsecuritywrittenTestNGCloudDesign PatternsAgileandCIAIFulltime
Key highlights
- Experience level: Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead, or Team Lead
- Benefit: USD 2,000 annual learning and development budget
- Requirement: Ability to travel internationally twice a year
- Notable: No prior direct people management experience required
- Location: Remote worldwide (except Taipei, Taiwan)
Role overview
Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution, is searching for highly skilled senior software engineers, tech leads, or team leads who are ready to transition into engineering management as a Kernel Engineering Manager. In this pivotal leadership role, you will oversee engineers who build, maintain, and optimize the Linux kernel powering millions of systems globally across public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT, collaborating closely with leading public cloud and silicon providers. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing, offering an opportunity to grow into the core of open-source technology leadership. Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source and recruits on a global basis, expecting excellence from its colleagues.
Responsibilities
- Transition from individual contribution or technical leadership into full-time people and project management.
- Lead and mentor a globally distributed team of talented Linux kernel engineers.
- Manage the delivery, testing, and maintenance of Ubuntu kernels across various platforms (cloud, server, desktop, and IoT).
- Drive engineering excellence, ensuring code quality, security, and performance standards are met consistently.
- Develop and execute team strategies, aligning with broader company goals and product roadmaps.
- Collaborate with silicon vendors, cloud partners, and internal Canonical teams to enable new hardware and features.
- Own the release cycles and update cadence for your team's kernel portfolios.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, feedback, open-source collaboration, and accountability within the team.
Requirements
- Proven experience as a Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead, or similar role with a strong desire to transition into a formal management position (no prior direct management experience required).
- Solid technical background in systems software, C programming, or operating systems concepts.
- Prior experience developing with software packaging formats.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers, guide complex technical projects, or drive architectural decisions.
- Leadership potential and a commitment to skills development and mentorship.
- Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation.
- Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.
Nice to have
- Direct experience with the Linux or other operating system kernels.
- Direct Ubuntu/Debian/Snap experience.
- Experience acting as a scrum master, project lead, or informal mentor for remote teams.
- Direct experience contributing to or participating in the Linux kernel community.
- Familiarity with continuous integration (CI) and automated testing frameworks for systems software.
Benefits
- Performance-driven annual bonus or commission.
- 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.
- Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform.
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues.
- Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events.
Additional details
- Location: Working from home, worldwide. We have kernel teams and openings in every time zone and with the notable exception of Taipei, Taiwan, have no offices and therefore no pressure to work from an office.
- Compensation is shaped by geographical location, experience, and performance worldwide; revisited annually (and more often for graduates and associates).
- Canonical is an equal opportunity employer proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination.
- Originally posted on Himalayas.