Remote Engineering Manager Opportunity at Canonical

About Us

Canonical is a pioneering technology company at the forefront of the global transition to open-source software. As the publisher of Ubuntu—one of the most critical open-source projects and a leading platform for AI, IoT, and cloud computing—we are committed to changing the world through innovation. Established in 2004 as a remote-first company, Canonical has consistently set high standards, fostering a culture of excellence and a passion for delivering impactful solutions. Working here means stepping into the future, learning new skills, thinking differently, and raising your professional game.

Our Mission

Our goal is to build the next generation of private cloud infrastructure, leveraging KVM, Ceph, and SDN technologies to create a data center-scale cloud that is intuitive and reliable. This mission-critical cloud infrastructure is designed for edge and core enterprise deployments, combining cutting-edge virtualisation, storage, and networking solutions.

The Role: Engineering Manager

We are looking for experienced engineering managers who excel in leading high-performing teams and developing high-quality microservice architectures. Your work will involve managing a team of engineers responsible for LXD components—a software stack spanning low-level kernel features to upper-level management API/CLI. Our ideal candidate is fluent across these layers and can anticipate the impact of engineering and design decisions in complex distributed systems.

As an Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for fostering an effective team culture, ensuring technical excellence, and driving individual growth within your team. Your role requires both technical leadership and a deep commitment to people management. You will have the opportunity to solve complex distributed system challenges, influence the engineering process, and contribute to Canonical’s broader strategy.

Key Responsibilities

  • Team Leadership: Manage and guide a remote team of engineers, ensuring high performance and satisfaction.
  • Talent Development: Mentor, coach, and support the career development of team members, helping them grow as engineers.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Set and manage expectations with other engineering teams, senior management, and external stakeholders.
  • Engineering Advocacy: Promote modern software development practices within the team.
  • Technical Contributions: Participate in code and architectural reviews, maintaining high-quality software standards.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with internal Canonical teams, open-source communities, and external partners.
  • Global Travel: Attend internal and external events, requiring 4-6 weeks of travel annually.

What We Are Looking For

  • Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of modern Linux cloud computing technologies, including networking, storage, containers, and Kubernetes.
  • Leadership Skills: Proven ability to develop and grow people, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
  • Delivery Focus: Demonstrated success in delivering high-quality software on time.
  • Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, STEM, or a related field.
  • Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal technical communication abilities.
  • Programming Proficiency: Experience in programming with C and/or Go.

What We Offer

Canonical takes a global approach to compensation, considering geographical location, experience, and performance. We review compensation annually to ensure outstanding performance is recognized and rewarded. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus and a range of benefits tailored to local needs, ensuring fairness worldwide.

  • Work Environment: Fully distributed, remote-first work setup with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
  • Professional Development: Annual personal learning and development budget of $2,000.
  • Compensation Review: Annual evaluations to reward excellence.
  • Recognition Rewards: Celebrate achievements and milestones.
  • Leave Benefits: Generous annual holiday leave, maternity, and paternity leave.
  • Employee Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Travel Opportunities: Meet colleagues worldwide and participate in global events.
  • Perks: Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul events.

About the Team and Culture

Canonical prides itself on fostering a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthens our team and enhances our products. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and value every individual’s unique contributions.

Why Join Canonical?

Joining Canonical means becoming part of a dynamic and innovative team shaping the future of technology. You will have the opportunity to work on impactful projects, grow your career, and make a tangible difference in the world through open-source innovation. If you are passionate about technology, thrive in a remote work environment, and aspire to excellence, we encourage you to apply.

How to Apply

If this role aligns with your skills, experience, and career goals, we welcome your application. Join us in creating the next generation of cloud infrastructure and becoming part of a global team dedicated to innovation and excellence.

Canonical is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We believe diversity creates a better workplace and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.

Apply Here

Apply for this position

Allowed Type(s): .pdf, .doc, .docx