This is a general track for applications to any team at Canonical that works with the Linux kernel, across all seniority levels. Apply here if you are an exceptional software engineer who wants to work on both stable and cutting edge Linux kernels for Ubuntu and its wider ecosystem. The Canonical Linux Kernel Organization has teams in every time zone. The team is responsible for all supported Ubuntu Linux kernels, on all platforms and architectures from small embedded devices to standard desktop/server systems to large scale cloud environments, mainframes and supercomputers.

We care most about hardware and virtualization enablement, security, reliability and performance. There are a number of areas where we lead upstream, but for the most part we are interested in ensuring production readiness and performance for the latest patchsets, rather than subsystem maintenance or evolution.

Kernel Team projects include but are not limited to:

Ubuntu Linux kernel plan, execution, benchmarking and stress testing

Optimised kernels for key silicon and cloud partners

Enabling Ubuntu on a wide range of embedded systems

Networking - in particular performance and security

We hire candidates of all experience levels from recent university graduates through seasoned industry experts. You must have outstanding academic results, a background in software engineering, be motivated to work in a distributed team and willing to travel globally twice a year for company engineering events.

Location: Working from home, worldwide. We have kernel teams and openings in every time zone and with the notable exception of Taipei, Taiwan, have no offices and therefore no pressure to work from an office.

Work closely with silicon, cloud, or hardware manufacturers

Take personal responsibility for a flavour of the Ubuntu Linux kernel

Improve tooling and automation for delivery and test of Ubuntu Linux kernels





An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path

Professional manner interacting with colleagues, partners, and community

Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and oral

Significant programming experience in C

Broad knowledge of the Linux kernel and kernel subsystems

Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging

Understanding of Linux kernel upstream processes and release cycle

Professional written and spoken English

Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)

Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

Python and Bash scripting

Prior experience with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging

Performance engineering and security experience

We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

Annual compensation review

Annual holiday leave

Maternity and paternity leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues

Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events

As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT and the cloud, we are changing the world on a daily basis. Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004.​ Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.

Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work workplace and better products. LI-remote

📌 Linux System Administrator (Home based) (remote)
🏢 Canonical
📍 India