Linux Kernel Engineer

<div><h3>Job Description</h3><p>This is a general track for applications to any team at Canonical that works with the Linux kernel, across all seniority levels. Apply if you are an exceptional software engineer who wants to work on both stable and cutting edge Linux kernels for Ubuntu and its wider ecosystem.</p><p>Canonical has a large and rapidly growing kernel team that underpins Ubuntu and open source more widely across a very wide range of hardware and use cases. We partner with the biggest kernel contributors – the silicon companies – to ensure that their work reaches the widest possible audience as quickly as possible, with a 10‑year enterprise security commitment.</p><p>The Canonical Linux Kernel Organization has teams in every time zone. There are opportunities for technical leadership, engineering management, and engineering directorships. The team is responsible for all supported Ubuntu Linux kernels, on all platforms and architectures from small embedded devices to standard desktop/server systems to large‑scale cloud environments, mainframes and supercomputers.</p><p>We care most about hardware and virtualization enablement, security, reliability and performance. For the most part we are interested in ensuring production readiness and performance for the latest patchsets, rather than subsystem maintenance or evolution.</p><h3>Kernel Team Projects Include But Are Not Limited To</h3><ul><li>Ubuntu Linux kernel plan, execution, benchmarking and stress testing</li><li>Optimised kernels for key silicon and cloud partners</li><li>Confidential computing and next‑generation security primitives</li><li>Developer platforms such as Raspberry Pi and RISC‑V</li><li>Enabling Ubuntu on a wide range of embedded systems</li><li>Kernel Livepatch, which delivers critical kernel fixes without rebooting</li><li>FIPS compliance</li><li>Real‑Time and Low Latency kernel variants and patchsets</li><li>Virtualisation or abstraction engines</li><li>Container technology</li><li>Security with AppArmor, SECCOMP, namespaces and more</li><li>Networking – in particular performance and security</li><li>Storage – we are particularly interested in Ceph and DRBD</li></ul><h3>Location</h3><p>Working from home, worldwide. Kernel teams and openings exist in every time zone. We have no offices, except Taipei, Taiwan, so there is no pressure to work from an office.</p><h3>What Your Day Will Look Like</h3><ul><li>Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team</li><li>Work closely with silicon, cloud or hardware manufacturers</li><li>Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel</li><li>Take personal responsibility for a flavour of the Ubuntu Linux kernel</li><li>Improve tooling and automation for delivery and test of Ubuntu Linux kernels</li><li>Submit, review and apply kernel patches</li></ul><h3>What We Are Looking For In You</h3><ul><li>An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university</li><li>Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about an alternative path</li><li>Drive and a track record of going above‑and‑beyond expectations</li><li>Well‑organised, self‑starting and able to deliver to fixed schedules</li><li>Professional manner interacting with colleagues, partners and community</li><li>Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and oral</li><li>Significant programming experience in C</li><li>Solid background with git</li><li>Broad knowledge of the Linux kernel and kernel subsystems</li><li>Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging</li><li>Understanding of Linux kernel upstream processes and release cycle</li><li>Strong grasp of device drivers, BSPs and other low‑level system engineering</li><li>Professional written and spoken English</li><li>Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)</li><li>Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility and accountability</li><li>Passion, thoughtfulness and self‑motivation</li><li>Excellent communication and presentation skills</li><li>Result‑oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments</li><li>Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each</li></ul><h3>Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring</h3><ul><li>Python and Bash scripting</li><li>Prior experience with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging</li><li>Performance engineering and security experience</li></ul><h3>What We Offer You</h3><ul><li>Distributed work environment with twice‑yearly team sprints in person</li><li>Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year</li><li>Annual compensation review</li><li>Recognition rewards</li><li>Annual holiday leave</li><li>Maternity and paternity leave</li><li>Employee Assistance Programme</li><li>Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues</li><li>Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long‑haul company events</li></ul><h3>About Canonical</h3><p>Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to o