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Canonical

Linux System Engineer - QA, Tooling, Automation

Job Summary

This role is for a systems software engineer focused on software quality, Ubuntu, and open source community engagement. The engineer will work on release engineering, automation, testing, and quality metrics across various Ubuntu products. Key responsibilities include troubleshooting, enhancing continuous integration, developing test cases, and monitoring quality indicators. The position offers remote work with periodic travel, and the candidate should have a strong background in Linux, Python, and open source development.

Required Skills

Python
Troubleshooting
Software Engineering
C/C++
Linux
Agile Development
Open Source
Continuous Integration
Shell scripting
Quality Processes
Debian/Ubuntu Packaging
Snaps

Benefits

Additional benefits reflecting company values
Personal learning and development budget
Annual compensation review
Annual holiday leave
Maternity and paternity leave
Employee Assistance Programme
Travel opportunities and upgrades
Performance-Driven Bonus
Distributed remote work environment
Biannual in-person team sprints

Job Description

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.

We are seeking a systems software engineer passionate about software quality, Ubuntu, and the open source community, to join the Ubuntu Release Engineering team as we expand the set of open source packages we fully support and secure.

We see release engineering as a first class engineering practice and are looking for people who can bring deep engineering insights to automation, testing capabilities, reporting and data analytics, as well as run processes in partnership with Canonical and community teams.

Ubuntu strives to deliver the latest-best free software components, in an easy to use and highly reliable form. We build on the technical excellence of Debian and bring additional focus and shape to the solutions we offer the industry.

As an Ubuntu Release Engineer, you must be passionate about the future of Ubuntu, about quality and continuous integration and testing. You will work closely with multiple teams at the heart of Ubuntu and drive quality excellence. You will work closely with the Ubuntu Desktop, Server and Foundations team and put in place metrics for quality. You will research existing issues, troubleshoot and resolve problems, and identify opportunities for improvement and communicate them to the rest of the organization to drive the overall quality of Ubuntu. This is a great opportunity to start and progress your career in the QA domain.

Location: This is a Globally remote role

What your day will look like

  • Monitor indicators of quality across the Ubuntu ecosystem and products
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues in Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Core
  • Enhance our continuous integration to guard Ubuntu image, release and package quality
  • Report on KPIs and analytical insights
  • Empower other teams for better planning and constant quality improvements
  • Develop, enhance and automate test cases, from unit tests to end-to-end multi machine workloads
  • Work from home with international travel twice a year, for events up to two weeks long

What we are looking for in you

  • A strong software engineering, Linux, and open source background
  • In-depth knowledge of Python and Shell scripting
  • Experience with C/C++
  • Excellent troubleshooting skills and experience working with others to identify, isolate and resolve issues
  • Experience with quality processes and continuous integration tools
  • Experience working in an agile development environment

Additional skills that you might also bring

Experience with Debian/Ubuntu based operating system and good understanding of Debian packaging and snaps would also be a considerable advantage.

What we offer you

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 recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. 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 - we’ve been working remotely since 2004!
  • 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 from your team and others
  • Priority Pass for travel and travel upgrades for long haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical is a pioneering tech firm that is 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 on a daily basis. 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.

Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004.​ Work at Canonical is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game. Canonical provides a unique window into the world of 21st-century digital business.

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.

#LI-remote

Interested in this job?

Application deadline: Open until filled

Logo of Canonical

Canonical

Canonical makes open source secure, reliable and easy to use, providing support for Ubuntu and a portfolio of enterprise-grade technologies. Founded in 2004, Canonical operates globally with team members in over 80 countries.

See more jobs
Date PostedApril 16th, 2025
Job TypeFull Time
LocationHome based - Worldwide
SalaryCompetitive rates
Exciting fully remote opportunity for a Linux System Engineer - QA, Tooling, Automation at Canonical. Offering competitive salary (full time). Explore more remote jobs on FlexHired!

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