Remote opportunity at
CanonicalUbuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - BIOS/Firmware
Canonical is looking for an engineer who will be responsible for firmware-level elements that influence the Ubuntu Linux kernel, specifically boot sequencing, BIOS, UEFI and ACPI.…
Career Tools
About This Role
Canonical is looking for an engineer who will be responsible for firmware-level elements that influence the Ubuntu Linux kernel, specifically boot sequencing, BIOS, UEFI and ACPI. The Canonical Kernel Team builds, maintains and ships that kernel. This role is part of a wider investment aimed at making PC platforms steadier, more dependable and faster, and the posting describes Ubuntu as the platform of choice for x86 and amd64 environments. The…
Job Description
Canonical is looking for an engineer who will be responsible for firmware-level elements that influence the Ubuntu Linux kernel, specifically boot sequencing, BIOS, UEFI and ACPI. The Canonical Kernel Team builds, maintains and ships that kernel. This role is part of a wider investment aimed at making PC platforms steadier, more dependable and faster, and the posting describes Ubuntu as the platform of choice for x86 and amd64 environments.
The ideal engineer understands ACPI well, preferably from a kernel developer's standpoint, and has enough BIOS and UEFI background to handle issues raised by platform manufacturers and the community. Previous work with a large PC firmware vendor, or meaningful involvement in coreboot, would give a candidate a clear advantage.
Daily work means partnering with a distributed team, the PC platform enablement function and hardware suppliers to remove boot and configuration defects. The engineer will eventually lead maintenance of the Firmware Test Suite, enhance automation that verifies Ubuntu on x86 systems, and submit, review and merge kernel patches with upstream maintainers. The person needs to be self-directed and able to work remotely, and must be prepared to travel abroad twice a year.
Responsibilities
- Own boot, BIOS, UEFI, ACPI and firmware problems inside the Ubuntu kernel
- Work with the PC enablement function and vendors to fix firmware and boot faults
- Take the lead on maintaining the Firmware Test Suite
- Extend tooling and automation that validates Ubuntu on x86 hardware
- Submit, review and merge kernel patches alongside upstream maintainers
- Collaborate regularly with colleagues spread across time zones
Requirements
- Strong grasp of ACPI, preferably from the kernel side
- Enough BIOS and UEFI knowledge to address vendor and community reports
- Strong C programming
- Background building software that touches UEFI, ACPI or both, and knows AML well
- Working proficiency with git
- Knowledge of the x86 boot path
- Grasp of kernel fundamentals, particularly how ACPI and UEFI interact
- Organised and self-motivated, able to work effectively from a distance
- Courteous and professional with colleagues, partners and open-source contributors
- Clear communication in English, spoken and written
- Able to travel abroad twice a year for trips up to two weeks
Qualifications
- Python and Bash scripting
- Prior involvement with the coreboot project
- Experience with a major PC firmware supplier, a notable advantage
- Packaging for Ubuntu, Debian or Snap
- Patching and debugging the Linux kernel
- Exposure to Devicetree, SystemReady and u-boot, or to non-x86 boot setups
Core Skills
Benefits
- Remote-first working, with two in-person team sprints a year
- A yearly USD 2,000 budget for learning and skill growth
- Yearly pay review and recognition awards
- Paid holidays each year, plus maternity and paternity leave
- Wellness platform and team member assistance program
- Chances to visit new places and meet teammates in person
- Priority Pass access and upgrades on long-haul trips for company events
- Yearly bonus or commission linked to performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Where is the role based?
The posting does not name a city. It asks for someone who can work effectively from a distance and travel abroad twice a year.
Is this a full-time position?
Yes, the listing is for a full-time role.
Which technical skills are needed?
C programming, ACPI and UEFI understanding, git and kernel fundamentals are all listed as required.
What is the salary?
The posting does not specify a salary.
Sample Interview Questions
AI-generated questions tailored to this specific role — a preview of the full practice set.