Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.

Every year we select new junior professionals into the Canonical Kernel Team, to work on the Linux kernel for Ubuntu. If you’ve enjoyed operating systems in your coursework or current role, you are confident in your ability to write high quality C and possibly Rust, and are ready to take the plunge and see how it all works, then this would be a great place to pursue your next career stage. We are a global team working to ship the world's most widely used Linux kernel, across the very latest silicon and cloud, where you can apply and grow your software engineering skills.

The Canonical Kernel Team builds and maintains all supported Ubuntu Linux kernels for a variety of platforms and architectures from small embedded devices to standard desktop/server systems to large-scale cloud environments. In your first year you will tackle serious initiatives, which include but are not limited to:

Optimized solutions for key Silicon and Cloud partner platforms
Developer platforms such as Raspberry Pi and RISC-V
Enabling Ubuntu on a wide range of embedded systems
Security hardening and exploit mitigation
Third-party driver integration and distribution, such as graphics
Expanded driver support for bleeding-edge PC platforms

We select candidates that are recent university graduates or early career professionals who are enthusiastic to develop kernel-level software in multiple areas including security updates, patching, and testing. The successful candidate will have a background in software engineering, be motivated to work in a distributed team and willing and able to travel globally twice a year for company engineering events.

These are full-time positions available to prospective or recently graduated students.

Location: We have home-based Kernel Teams in every timezone.

The role entails

Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
Learn from senior mentors to demystify the inner workings of the Linux kernel and how it is distributed
Work closely with external silicon, cloud, or hardware manufacturer delivery teams on bleeding-edge platforms
Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel reported by customers, the community, and discovered by your own rigorous testing
Take personal responsibility for the delivery of various flavors of the Ubuntu Linux kernel
Improve tooling and automation for delivery and test of Ubuntu Linux kernels
Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with both internal and external upstream maintainers

What we are looking for in you

Well-organized and motivated self-starter able to thrive in a remote work environment
Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open-source community
Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal
Programming experience in C and/or Rust
Familiarity with version control practices, ideally with git
Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
Ability to travel twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length

Nice-to-have skills

Interest and experience in Rust
Python and Bash scripting ability
Prior experience with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging
Strong grasp of device drivers, BSP’s, and other low level system engineering

What we offer colleagues

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

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

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence; in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 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 create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

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Junior Linux Kernel Engineer - Ubuntu

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