Posted today · be early
Software Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel
Canonical
WorldwideremotePosted 1 day 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
- No prior direct people management experience is required for this role
- Role is fully remote worldwide with twice-yearly international travel required for up to 2-week company events
- Annual personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000
- Performance-driven annual bonus or commission is offered in addition to base pay
- Compensation is determined by geographical location, experience, and performance, with annual reviews
- Direct Linux kernel or operating system kernel experience is preferred but not essential
Role overview
Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu Linux distribution, is searching for highly skilled senior software engineers, tech leads, or team leads seeking to transition into engineering management for the Kernel Engineering Manager role. This pivotal leadership position oversees engineers who build, maintain, and optimize the Linux kernel that powers millions of systems globally, with Ubuntu widely used in public cloud, data science, AI, and IoT initiatives. The role involves close collaboration with leading public cloud and silicon providers to deliver a world-class operating system, and no prior direct people management experience is required. Canonical is a founder-led, profitable, growing company, making this an exceptional opportunity to advance your career in open-source technology leadership.
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 cloud, server, desktop, and IoT platforms
- Drive engineering excellence to ensure consistent code quality, security, and performance standards
- Develop and execute team strategies aligned with broader company goals and product roadmaps
- Collaborate with silicon vendors, cloud partners, and internal Canonical teams to enable new hardware and features
- Own release cycles and update cadence for the 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 people management experience required)
- Solid technical background in systems software, C programming, or operating systems concepts
- 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
- Prior experience developing with software packaging formats, including 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
- 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
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Team Member Assistance Program and Wellness Platform
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events
- Benefits programs balanced to meet local needs and ensure global fairness
Additional details
- Location is fully remote worldwide; Canonical has kernel teams and openings in every time zone, with only an office in Taipei, Taiwan and no pressure to work from an office elsewhere
- Canonical is a pioneering open-source tech firm that publishes Ubuntu, a leading platform for AI, IoT, and cloud, and has operated a distributed work model since its 2004 inception
- Canonical recruits globally, holds employees to high standards, and emphasizes excellence in all roles
- Canonical is an equal opportunity employer that fosters a discrimination-free workplace, values diversity of experience, perspectives, and background, and provides fair consideration to all applicants regardless of identity
- The role was originally posted on Himalayas