Remote opportunity at
CanonicalUbuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement
This full-time, globally remote Linux Kernel Engineer role focuses on silicon enablement at Canonical, a company that publishes Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the leading Linux distribution worldwide,…
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About This Role
This full-time, globally remote Linux Kernel Engineer role focuses on silicon enablement at Canonical, a company that publishes Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the leading Linux distribution worldwide, and the company is expanding its support for a wider range of System on Chip platforms. Chip makers including Renesas, MediaTek, Qualcomm, AMD and NVIDIA have asked for Ubuntu Linux as the base for their upcoming hardware. The Canonical Kernel Team builds, maintains and…
Job Description
This full-time, globally remote Linux Kernel Engineer role focuses on silicon enablement at Canonical, a company that publishes Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the leading Linux distribution worldwide, and the company is expanding its support for a wider range of System on Chip platforms. Chip makers including Renesas, MediaTek, Qualcomm, AMD and NVIDIA have asked for Ubuntu Linux as the base for their upcoming hardware.
The Canonical Kernel Team builds, maintains and distributes the Linux kernel for Ubuntu. The engineer drives the work of bringing platform support from silicon partners into the kernel, leads work on difficult kernel bugs raised by partners, customers or test runs, and owns the delivery of silicon-optimized kernel variants to the global community. The role also covers tooling and automation for reliable kernel delivery and testing, the review and submission of upstream patches, and approaches for getting more performance out of partner chips.
Direct kernel experience is an advantage but not a hard requirement. Applicants who have worked with RTOS or bare-metal systems, plus proven hardware work, are welcome to apply, and the posting welcomes engineers at every career stage, from those starting in hardware-level development to experienced specialists.
The posting asks for proficiency in C for low-level systems work, a solid command of device drivers, board support packages and hardware-level engineering, and a strong working knowledge of kernel fundamentals in operating systems. Professional Git use and clear English are required, and travel twice yearly for company events lasting up to two weeks is part of the role. Python or Bash scripting, experience with major SoC families, and kernel patching and debugging skills are nice to have.
Responsibilities
- Bring silicon partners' platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel
- Drive investigations into hard kernel problems
- Own the delivery of silicon-optimized Ubuntu kernel variants
- Build and refine tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing
- Manage the submission and review of upstream patches with maintainers
- Find methods for improving performance on partner silicon
Requirements
- Proficiency in C, mainly for low-level system development
- Solid command of device drivers, board support packages and hardware-level engineering
- Strong working knowledge of kernel fundamentals in operating systems
- Professional proficiency with Git
- Clear written and verbal English in a professional setting
- Travel for company events twice a year, each up to two weeks
Qualifications
- Python or Bash skills for automating tasks and building tools
- Experience with major SoC families
- Working knowledge of Snap, Debian or Ubuntu packaging
- Kernel patching and debugging experience
- Understanding of performance optimization on silicon platforms
Core Skills
Benefits
- Distributed work with twice-yearly in-person team sprints
- Priority Pass access and upgrades on long-haul trips to company events
- A USD 2,000 yearly allowance for personal learning and development
- Annual compensation review and recognition rewards
- Maternity and paternity leave, plus annual holiday leave
- Employee assistance program and a wellness platform
- Chances to visit new locations and meet colleagues in person
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers are based only on the employer’s listing; where it doesn’t say, neither do we.
Where is this role based?
The role is globally remote.
Is kernel experience required?
Direct kernel experience is an advantage but not a hard requirement, and candidates with a real-time or bare-metal background are encouraged to apply.
How much travel is expected?
The posting asks for travel twice yearly to company events, each up to two weeks long.
What is the employment type?
The position is full-time.
Sample Interview Questions
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