Open Source Performance Engineer at Canonical

Confirmed open

Measure and improve software performance across Linux kernels, runtimes, databases and distributed systems in a remote Canonical role.

Canonical

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Location: Remote
Advertised region: Home based - Worldwide
Work arrangement: remote
Technologies: Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, Linux, Go, Flutter

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Role overview

Canonical’s performance engineering work spans CPU and assembly analysis, kernel behaviour, compilers, language runtimes, databases and web systems. The role combines project-specific optimisation with common measurement tools and coaching across teams.

Responsibilities

Profile systems and code to identify performance bottlenecks and scalability limits.
Improve correctness and speed within a selected product, and build shared benchmarks, test harnesses and reporting tools.
Review designs and code, collaborate with engineers worldwide and develop performance skills in the team.
Use relevant tools such as profiling, tracing, eBPF, flamegraphs or benchmark suites where appropriate.

Qualifications

A computer science, mathematics or physics degree and a record of personally measuring and improving code performance.
Practical understanding in one or more areas such as CPU caches, kernel scheduling, distributed tracing, compilers, runtimes or database query plans.
Ability to create test harnesses in relevant languages including C, C++, Rust, Python, Go or JavaScript.
Clear technical communication, leadership or mentoring ability and readiness to review other engineers’ work.

Technology in this role

Python: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
JavaScript: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
Java: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
C++: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
Linux: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
Go: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
Flutter: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
C: Python JavaScript Java C++ Linux Go .
Golang: Whether you have a particular language focus - C, C++, Rust, Golang, Python, Java, Flutter-Dart or others - or a particular love of the kernel or hardware or CPU instruction set, whether you see yourself as driving perceived user experience through performance or optimising the .
Rust: Ability to create test harnesses in relevant languages including C, C++, Rust, Python, Go or .
CAN: Our goal is to ensure that Ubuntu users can select whatever platform they want for their workloads and know they have access to the very best performance and efficiency across the entire stack from kernel to .

Role-specific candidate guide

Preparation notes based on the employer’s stated responsibilities and qualifications.

Understanding the scope. This Performance Engineer - Open Source position at Canonical is best assessed through the work described in the employer’s posting, rather than the title alone. The available role overview says: “Canonical’s performance engineering work spans CPU and assembly analysis, kernel behaviour, compilers, language runtimes, databases and web systems. The role combines project-specific optimisation with common…” Read that statement together with the responsibilities below to understand the likely balance between delivery, coordination and technical decision-making. The role belongs to the technical area, but that label is only a guide to the work; the employer’s own requirements remain decisive. Before applying, check the original listing for reporting lines, product or team assignment, employment terms and any details that may have changed since this copy was checked. Where this page says a fact is not specified, treat it as an open question rather than an implied promise.

What the responsibilities signal. The posting specifically names “Profile systems and code to identify performance bottlenecks and scalability limits.”; “Improve correctness and speed within a selected product, and build shared benchmarks, test harnesses and reporting tools.”; “Review designs and code, collaborate with engineers worldwide and develop performance skills in the team.”. For each duty, identify a project where you performed comparable work and be ready to describe the context, your own contribution, constraints, decisions, and measurable result. Explain how you moved from the initial need to implementation, review, release or operational follow-through, where those stages apply. If the work involved other teams or users, distinguish your decisions from the group’s contribution. Avoid presenting a technology keyword as proof by itself: connect it to the problem you solved, the scale or complexity involved, and what changed after your work. The source may contain additional duties; review it directly before preparing your application.

How to read the requirements. The listed qualifications include “A computer science, mathematics or physics degree and a record of personally measuring and improving code performance.”; “Practical understanding in one or more areas such as CPU caches, kernel scheduling, distributed tracing, compilers, runtimes or database query plans.”; “Ability to create test harnesses in relevant languages including C, C++, Rust, Python, Go or JavaScript.”. Mark each requirement as demonstrated, adjacent experience or a genuine gap, then use a concise example for the first two categories. A strong example explains.

Benefits

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 or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events

About Canonical

Canonical publishes Ubuntu and develops open-source software for cloud, connected devices and enterprise infrastructure. Its teams work across countries.

Employer website

How to apply

Review the original posting and apply through the employer’s careers page.

View source and apply

Source checked: 2026-11-08

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