Remote opportunity at
CanonicalUbuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - BIOS/Firmware
Canonical has an opening for a full-time kernel engineer who will concentrate on firmware, including BIOS, UEFI and the early stages of system startup. The job…
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About This Role
Canonical has an opening for a full-time kernel engineer who will concentrate on firmware, including BIOS, UEFI and the early stages of system startup. The job is fully remote and belongs to the group that compiles, maintains and ships the Linux kernel used by Ubuntu. The successful applicant would take charge of how the machine starts, covering the boot sequence and the platform firmware pieces that touch the Ubuntu kernel.…
Job Description
Canonical has an opening for a full-time kernel engineer who will concentrate on firmware, including BIOS, UEFI and the early stages of system startup. The job is fully remote and belongs to the group that compiles, maintains and ships the Linux kernel used by Ubuntu.
The successful applicant would take charge of how the machine starts, covering the boot sequence and the platform firmware pieces that touch the Ubuntu kernel. Typical work includes diagnosing firmware and startup faults reported by hardware makers or the community, extending automated checks that confirm Ubuntu behaves correctly on x86 machines, and getting kernel changes accepted by upstream reviewers.
The right person understands ACPI in depth, ideally from the viewpoint of the kernel, and knows enough about BIOS and UEFI to get to the root of platform problems. Earlier experience at a large PC firmware supplier, or hands-on involvement with Coreboot, is described as a notable plus.
Canonical is the business behind Ubuntu and wants Ubuntu to run more reliably and quickly on PC hardware. The engineering group is spread across several continents and works mostly from home. Members meet face to face for a sprint twice a year, so strong written communication and the ability to work independently count for a lot in this post.
Responsibilities
- Own the boot path and the BIOS, UEFI and ACPI firmware work that affects Ubuntu's kernel
- Coordinate fixes with the PC enablement group and hardware partners when startup or configuration problems appear
- Serve as a lead contributor and steward for the Firmware Test Suite (FWTS)
- Build better tooling and automated checks that confirm Ubuntu works on x86 systems
- Handle kernel patches end to end, from authoring through review to acceptance upstream and internally
- Work alongside colleagues scattered across many countries
Requirements
- Deep familiarity with ACPI, preferably from the kernel side
- Working grasp of BIOS and UEFI behaviour, enough to resolve platform bugs raised by makers or users
- Strong C programming skills
- Experience developing software tied to UEFI or ACPI, including an in-depth understanding of AML
- Competent with git and with the x86 boot sequence
- Solid grasp of kernel basics, particularly how ACPI and UEFI interact
- Organised, self-motivated and professional, with good written and spoken English
- Willing to make international trips for company gatherings, up to two weeks at a time, roughly twice a year
Qualifications
- Scripting in Python and Bash
- Previous contribution to the Coreboot project
- Packaging know-how for Ubuntu, Debian or Snap
- Practical experience patching and debugging the Linux kernel
- Some grounding in Devicetree and in firmware boot tooling for ARM-based boards
- Earlier employment with a notable PC firmware maker
Core Skills
Benefits
- Compensation weighs location, experience and results, and is revisited every year
- Performance-linked yearly bonus or commission in addition to salary
- Learning allowance of USD 2,000 yearly
- In-person team sprints held twice annually
- Holiday allowance plus maternity and paternity leave
- Employee support and wellness programme
- Priority Pass membership and better seats on long-haul company trips
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Is this role remote?
Yes. The listing is marked remote, and the team works across several time zones.
What employment type is it?
It is full-time.
What core skills are needed?
Strong C, knowledge of ACPI and UEFI, git, and an understanding of the x86 boot process.
Is a salary stated?
No figure is given. The posting says pay depends on location, experience and skills, and mentions a bonus or commission on top of base pay.
Sample Interview Questions
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