Remote opportunity at
CanonicalEngineering Manager - Distributed Systems, Python / Go
This is a full-time, globally remote Engineering Manager role leading a team responsible for Canonical's quality engineering platform. The platform deploys and validates distributed systems across…
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About This Role
This is a full-time, globally remote Engineering Manager role leading a team responsible for Canonical's quality engineering platform. The platform deploys and validates distributed systems across the company's cloud portfolio. Canonical regards quality engineering as central to its work, and the team checks how well cloud solutions built on Juju, Terraform, OpenStack and Kubernetes perform, behave correctly, recover from failure and work together, testing them on bare metal and public…
Job Description
This is a full-time, globally remote Engineering Manager role leading a team responsible for Canonical's quality engineering platform. The platform deploys and validates distributed systems across the company's cloud portfolio. Canonical regards quality engineering as central to its work, and the team checks how well cloud solutions built on Juju, Terraform, OpenStack and Kubernetes perform, behave correctly, recover from failure and work together, testing them on bare metal and public clouds.
The team usually works from one main time zone (EMEA or the Americas, for example). The manager leads, coaches and develops software and quality engineers from graduate to senior level, sets clear bars, and partners with senior engineers to decide technical strategy, architecture, roadmap and standards. Responsibilities include guiding automated testing infrastructure, upgrading continuous-integration pipelines, test tooling and reports, and helping other engineering teams adopt effective distributed-systems testing. The manager stays technically engaged via design reviews, code reviews and debugging sessions, with hands-on work when it fits, and represents the team with stakeholders across the company.
Applicants need an exceptional academic record, Experience guiding, coaching and developing software engineers, and a professional track record in Python or Go development. Deep knowledge of distributed systems and cloud infrastructure, or of quality engineering or a nearby discipline, is required, together with strong knowledge of modern testing processes and automation. Linux work on Debian or Ubuntu is preferred. The role also calls for an agile mindset, strong communication and presentation skills, and travel for company events of up to two weeks, twice a year. Experience with cloud tools, test strategy design, large-scale CI infrastructure or applying AI to test analysis is valued.
Responsibilities
- Lead, coach and develop software and quality engineers at every level, from graduate to senior
- Define what good looks like, reinforce engineering habits and keep delivery on schedule against agreed goals
- Work with senior engineers on technical strategy, architecture, roadmap and standards
- Steer the build-out of automated test infrastructure for distributed systems
- Upgrade continuous-integration pipelines, test tooling and reports for Canonical's products
- Help engineering teams across Canonical adopt distributed-systems testing practices
- Add value through design reviews, debugging sessions and hands-on engineering
- Represent the team with stakeholders on quality engineering and developer experience
Requirements
- An exceptional academic record from high school and university
- Experience guiding, coaching and developing software engineers
- A professional track record in Python or Go development
- Deep knowledge of distributed systems and cloud infrastructure, or of quality engineering or a nearby discipline, is required
- Strong knowledge of modern testing processes, strategies and automation
- Experience with Linux, with Debian or Ubuntu preferred
- Sound technical judgement and comfort taking part in code reviews, architecture debates and software design
- Agile working experience and the ability to organise a team around high-quality results
- Excellent written and spoken English with strong communication and presentation skills
- Ability to travel for company events of up to two weeks, twice a year
Qualifications
- Experience with Juju, Terraform, OpenStack, Kubernetes, or any major public cloud
- Crafting test plans for cloud-native and multi-node systems
- Creating or running heavy-duty CI/CD and test platforms
- Experience using ML or AI to examine test results and sort failures
- Hands-on work running or troubleshooting multi-node systems
- Experience leading globally distributed teams
Core Skills
Benefits
- Annual compensation review and a bonus tied to performance
- USD 2,000 each year for personal learning and development
- Twice-yearly in-person team sprints in a distributed setup
- Annual holiday leave, plus maternity and paternity leave
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing resources
- Priority Pass access, plus upgraded seats on long-haul trips to company events
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Is this Engineering Manager role remote?
Yes. The posting describes it as a globally remote role, usually a single main time zone (EMEA or the Americas, for example).
What technical background is required?
The posting asks for a professional track record in Python or Go development, and deep knowledge of distributed systems and cloud infrastructure, or of quality engineering.
Is the role full-time, and what is the salary?
The role is full-time, and the posting does not specify a base salary. It mentions a bonus tied to performance.
How do I apply?
The posting does not describe the application process.
Sample Interview Questions
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