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CanonicalSoftware Engineering Manager - Sustaining Engineering
Canonical is recruiting an Engineering Manager for its Sustaining Engineering group. The group treats defects reported by customers as business-critical work, fixing open source software from…
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About This Role
Canonical is recruiting an Engineering Manager for its Sustaining Engineering group. The group treats defects reported by customers as business-critical work, fixing open source software from the kernel up through userland applications and IaaS stacks. It sits inside Support Engineering, solving problems for customers and the broader open source community rather than building new products. The job is globally remote unless stated otherwise. The manager leads one of several regional…
Job Description
Canonical is recruiting an Engineering Manager for its Sustaining Engineering group. The group treats defects reported by customers as business-critical work, fixing open source software from the kernel up through userland applications and IaaS stacks. It sits inside Support Engineering, solving problems for customers and the broader open source community rather than building new products. The job is globally remote unless stated otherwise.
The manager leads one of several regional teams and answers to the worldwide Director of Sustaining Engineering. The top priority is the people: helping them grow as engineers, add meaningful value and enjoy their work at Canonical. That involves hiring, coaching, mentoring, giving feedback and guiding careers. The manager also tracks key performance indicators, arranges training, makes sure fixes and patches for Ubuntu, OpenStack, Ceph, Kubernetes, Juju and MAAS arrive on time, and sets expectations with other teams and outside stakeholders.
Technical leadership and a strong software development background are essential. The manager should know software delivery in C, C++, Go, Python or comparable languages, and have led people through complicated problem-solving and bug fixing. Experience with git, debugging tools such as gdb and crash, and a serious commitment to testing and maintainable code is needed. Excellent written and spoken English is required, along with Linux experience (Ubuntu preferred) and an understanding of open source business models. Managing people in a support function is a strong advantage. Up to a tenth of working time may involve travel.
Canonical is a global software company behind Ubuntu, with more than 1,000 colleagues in over 70 countries. It has worked remotely since 2004.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a geographically spread team of engineers
- Recruit, coach and mentor staff, and give feedback and career guidance
- Monitor and report key performance indicators, and arrange training
- Make sure bug fixes, patches and other solutions for Ubuntu, OpenStack, Ceph, Kubernetes, Juju and MAAS land on time
- Represent the company well in customer conversations
- Set and manage expectations with engineering teams, senior management and outside stakeholders
- Encourage modern development methods and a collaborative culture
- Work alongside other teams across the organisation
Requirements
- Professional software delivery experience in C, C++, Go or Python, or comparable languages
- Leadership experience organising and prioritising complicated problem resolution and bug fixes
- Experience with version control such as git
- Familiarity with debuggers like gdb or crash
- Demonstrated commitment to testing and maintainable code
- Excellent written and verbal English
- Linux experience, with a preference for Ubuntu
- Ready to make trips for up to a tenth of working time, covering in-house and outside events
Qualifications
- Knowledge of how open source companies make money
- People management in a support organisation (a strong plus)
Core Skills
Benefits
- Remote working, with in-person team sprints twice a year
- USD 2,000 yearly budget for learning and development
- Yearly pay review and recognition awards
- Annual holiday leave, plus maternity and paternity leave
- Employee assistance and wellness programme
- Opportunities to visit new cities to meet colleagues
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Is the role remote?
The posting describes it as globally remote, unless specified otherwise.
Who does the manager report to?
The manager answers to the worldwide Director of Sustaining Engineering.
What technical background is needed?
Technical leadership and a solid software development background are essential, including experience with C, C++, Go or Python and with debugging tools.
Does the posting state a salary?
No salary figure is given. Base pay depends on location, experience and performance, and an annual bonus or commission tied to performance is also offered.
Sample Interview Questions
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