Embedded & Desktop Linux Systems Engineer - Optimisation
- Level
- Mid
Not stated in the posting: salary, work type, visa.
Open. First seen 7 March 2026.
About the role
Work across the full Linux stack from kernel through GUI to optimise Ubuntu, the world’s most widely used Linux desktop and server, for the latest silicon.
The role is a fast-paced, problem-solving role that’s challenging yet very exciting. The right candidate must be resourceful, articulate, and able to deliver on a wide variety of solutions across PC and IoT technologies. Our teams partner with specialist engineers from major silicon companies to integrate next-generation features and performance enhancements for upcoming hardware.
Location: This is a Globally remote role
What your day will look like
- Design and implement the best Ubuntu integration for the latest IoT and server-class hardware platforms and software stacks
- Work with partners to deliver a delightful, optimised, first class Ubuntu experience on their platforms
- Take a holistic approach to the Ubuntu experience on partner platforms with inputs on technical plans, testing strategy, quality metrics
- Participate as technical lead on complex customer engagements involving complete system architectures from cloud to edge
- Help our customers integrate their apps, SDKs, build device OS images, optimize applications with Ubuntu Core, Desktop and Server
- Work with the most advanced operating systems and application technologies available in the enterprise world.
Joining Canonical, you will partner with bright minds from all over the world, and work with an exciting set of new technologies in a fast growing company with a truly unique and ambitious vision to build a better platform with free software. You will work with customers on exciting IoT and server platforms and technologies, built to support different verticals: from robots to data centers, from telco to retail.
What we are looking for in you
- You love technology and working with brilliant people
- You have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, STEM or similar
- You have experience with Linux packaging (Debian, RPM, Yocto)
- You have experience working with open source communities and licences
- You have experience working with C, C++
- You can work in a globally distributed team through self-discipline and self-motivation.
Additional skills that you might also bring
- Experience with graphics stacks
- Good understanding of networking - TCP/IP, DHCP, HTTP/REST
- Basic understanding of security best practices in IoT or server environments
- Good communication skills, ideally public speaking experience
- IoT / Embedded experience – from board and SoC, BMCs, bootloaders and firmware to OS, through apps and services
- Some experience with Docker/OCI containers/K8s
What we offer you
Your base pay will depend on various factors including your geographical location, level of experience, knowledge and skills. In addition to the benefits above, certain roles are also eligible for additional benefits and rewards including annual bonuses and sales incentives based on revenue or utilisation. Our compensation philosophy is to ensure equity right across our global workforce.
In addition to a competitive base pay, we provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. Please note that additional benefits may apply depending on the work location and, for more information on these, you can ask in the later stages of the recruitment process.
- Fully remote working environment - we’ve been working remotely since 2004!
- Personal learning and development budget of 2,000USD per annum
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues at ‘sprints’
- 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
Canonical's standard text
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
What this role asks for
Particular to this role
Networking · REST · Yocto
Rare in Canonical's other 207 open postings.
Standard for embedded / hardware roles
C++ · Embedded Systems
Common in embedded / hardware postings at any company.
In most of Canonical's ads
Linux
Named in most of its open postings, whatever the role.
95% of this description is written for the role. The rest is Canonical's standard text, folded away below.
Read against Canonical's other open postings on this site.
The team: Devices Engineering HIRES STEADILY
This role is one of 33 open in Devices Engineering. 1 was posted in the last 30 days and the oldest in January: a team that hires all year rather than one being built.
WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS
Linux (33 of 33), Python (21 of 33), C (19 of 33), Bash (14 of 33), Embedded Systems (14 of 33), Linux Kernel (12 of 33), C++ (9 of 33)
OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM
- Software Quality Assurance Engineer - Linux, PC, IoT posted Oct 2
- Software Quality Assurance Engineer - Linux, PC, IoT posted Jun 2
- Ubuntu Linux Kernel Test Engineer posted May 29
- Linux Software Engineer - Ubuntu for Next-Gen Silicon (multiple roles and seniority levels) posted Nov 28
- Kernel Build Automation Engineer - Ubuntu Linux posted Oct 16
- Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Core posted Sep 19
- Ubuntu Enablement Engineer posted Jul 24
- Engineering Director, Devices Software Engineering posted Jul 15
- Senior Ubuntu Embedded IoT System Engineer posted Mar 20
- Embedded Linux Senior Software Engineer - Optimisation posted Feb 11
- Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement posted Jun 27
- Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - BIOS/Firmware posted Jun 27
- Linux Platform Integration - Ubuntu Systems Senior Engineer posted Jun 23
- Lead Linux Kernel Engineer - Ubuntu posted Jun 3
- Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Hardware Certification Quality and Test Engineering posted May 28
- Linux Enablement - Software Engineering Manager posted May 15
- Open Source Networking Software Engineer - ToR Switch / SmartNIC / DPU posted Mar 20
- Junior Linux Kernel Engineer - Ubuntu posted Feb 26
- Ubuntu Enablement Engineer posted Dec 11
- Software Engineer, Ubuntu Commercial Computers posted Dec 11
- PC Platforms Kernel Engineer - Ubuntu Linux posted Sep 27
- Senior Ubuntu Embedded IoT System Engineer posted Nov 22
- Ubuntu Enablement - Software Engineering Manager posted Oct 3
- C++/Rust Graphics and Windowing System Software Engineer - Mir posted Sep 7
- Linux devices software engineer - snapd posted Jul 13
- Software Engineer - Ubuntu Server Certification posted May 25
- Engineering Manager - Linux Hardware Enablement posted Mar 29
- Python Software Engineer - Ubuntu Hardware Certification Team posted Mar 28
- Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel posted Mar 14
- Linux Enablement - Software Engineering Manager posted Sep 3
- Ubuntu Core Software Engineer posted Jun 10
- Software Engineer - Edge AI posted Jan 29
From the team and dates on Canonical's own job board.
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