Junior Engineer

Job Description

About the Job: Junior Software Engineer at Canonical (Ubuntu Engineering)

Canonical is a global leader in open source software and operating systems, renowned for Ubuntu – a platform widely adopted in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our diverse customer base includes the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers, alongside industry leaders across various sectors.

As a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, Canonical thrives with over 1200 colleagues spanning 75+ countries, with very few office-based roles. Teams regularly convene two to four times annually in intriguing international locations to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder-led, profitable, and experiencing strong growth.

We are seeking junior engineers to join our Ubuntu Engineering organization. We’re looking for individuals who possess a deep commitment to quality, performance, and resilience in software. Ideal candidates will be equally comfortable designing and engineering new software as they are packaging, integrating, testing, and shipping the vast catalog of open source software available in the Ubuntu repositories.

Our engineers are at the forefront of integrating the freshest open source software, providing robust upgrade paths, and engineering the future of Ubuntu. Ubuntu is not merely the world’s most deployed open source operating system; it’s a dynamic platform empowering innovation for millions of users globally, from students and hobbyists to high-performance engineering and creative teams in corporate and academic environments.

Key Ubuntu Engineering Teams:

You could be working with one of these pivotal teams that ship Ubuntu:

• Foundations: Dedicated to maintaining foundational software, including architectures, package managers, compilers, toolchains, bootloaders, filesystems, and core utilities.
• Server: Leading the design, evolution, and future direction of our Ubuntu Server distribution.
• Desktop: Driving Ubuntu Desktop, including the future immutable desktop (Ubuntu Core Desktop), WSL, gaming technology, and a suite of modern desktop applications crafted with Flutter.
• Debcrafters: A newly formed team responsible for the forward movement, maintenance, and overall health of the Ubuntu archive—one of the most abundant repositories of open source software available today.

What You Could Work On:

Bring your existing expertise and develop new skills by contributing to one of the most prolific pieces of open source software. As an engineer working on Ubuntu, your responsibilities could fall into any or all of the following categories:

• Development: Design, build, and ship new foundational systems software and applications using languages like Rust, Go, Flutter, and Python.
• Architecture: Engineer the seamless integration of open source components, from boot firmware to cloud application deployment.
• Packaging: A combination of Debian and Snap packaging to effectively ship software within the distribution.
• Automation: Build and maintain the critical machinery responsible for building, testing, and shipping Ubuntu.
• Distro Engineering: The ongoing maintenance and evolution of a leading Linux distribution and its expansive repositories.

If you possess skills in these areas, or other skills you believe can contribute to Ubuntu, and you are eager to build your career in open source, this role is for you. Our junior career path is designed to support both new graduates and early-career engineers.

At Canonical, you will have ample opportunities to engage with and contribute to the broader open source community. We are looking for individuals who can help foster a thriving community and contribute with enthusiasm and precision across a broad range of technologies.

Location: We have remote roles open in every time zone.

The Role Entails:

Based on initial interviews, we identify specific teams where you might be an excellent fit, leading to second-round interviews with those teams. Our engineers are:

• Designing, building, and shipping software primarily in Rust, Go, Python, and C/C++.
• Packaging, integrating, testing, and uploading open source software to the Ubuntu repositories.
• Debugging complex issues, then designing and delivering robust solutions.
• Authoring and improving technical and community documentation.
• Contributing to upstream and neighboring open source projects.
• Collaborating effectively as part of a globally distributed team.
• Continuously learning and progressing their technical and professional skills.

What We Are Looking For In You:

• An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path.
• Drive and a track record of going above and beyond expectations.
• A genuine passion for open source software.
• Experience with Rust, Go, Python, Flutter, or C/C++.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel twice a year for company events, up to two weeks each.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Familiarity with Linux distributions.
• Familiarity with system debugging tools and techniques.
• Familiarity with automation tooling and CI/CD systems.
• Experience contributing to open source projects.

What We Offer You:

We take into account geographical location, experience, and performance when shaping compensation worldwide. Compensation is reviewed annually (and more frequently for graduates and associates) to ensure outstanding performance is recognized. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits that reflect our values and ideals, balancing programs to meet local needs and ensure global fairness:

• 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 movement towards open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most significant open source projects and a foundational platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are actively changing the world daily. We recruit globally and maintain a very high standard for individuals joining the company, expecting excellence to ensure we remain the best at what we do. Canonical has operated as a remote-first company since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, challenging you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and continuously 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.