Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement
Ubuntu Linux is the most popular Linux distribution in the world, and we aim to increase its adoption by expanding native support for System On Chip (SoC) platforms and optimizing for performance. Silicon manufacturers such as NVIDIA, Xilinx, MediaTek, and Qualcomm need Ubuntu Linux for their customers, and Canonical is expanding its silicon enablement squads to meet this demand. The Canonical Kernel Team, responsible for building, maintaining, and distributing the Linux kernel for Ubuntu, is looking for individuals with strong software development skills at the hardware level and a passion for extracting optimal silicon performance.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong aptitude for software engineering at the hardware level. Direct experience with the Linux kernel is a substantial advantage but not a hard requirement; candidates with experience in other RTOS or bare‐metal environments who can demonstrate direct hardware experience will also be considered. We have work‐from‐home roles worldwide, and we welcome early‐career and senior candidates.
What your day will look like
* Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
* Work closely with silicon vendor partners to integrate their platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel for their product ranges
* Diagnose and resolve kernel issues reported by partners, customers, the community, and discovered through rigorous testing
* Take responsibility for delivering distinct silicon‐optimised variants of the Ubuntu Linux kernel worldwide
* Improve tooling and automation for delivery and testing of Ubuntu Linux kernels
* Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with both internal and external upstream maintainers
* Identify new ways to maximise performance on partner silicon
What we are looking for in you
* Well‐organised and motivated self‐starter who can thrive in a remote work environment
* Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open‐source community
* Effective communication in English, both written and verbal
* Significant programming ability in C
* Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs, and other hardware‐level system engineering aspects
* Solid background with git
* Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
* Ability to travel twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length
Additional skills that you might also bring
* Python and Bash scripting ability
* Prior background with major SoC families
* Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
* Demonstrated experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging
* Solid understanding of performance optimisation for silicon platforms
What we offer you
* Home‐based 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
About Canonical
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the publisher of Ubuntu, one of the most important open‐source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world every day. We recruit globally and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence — to succeed, we must be the best at what we do. Canonical has been a remote‐first company since 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
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.
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