Linux Kernel Engineer at Canonical

Role overview

Canonical develops multiple Ubuntu kernel variants for new hardware and cloud environments. The posting lists work on benchmarking, embedded platforms, Livepatch, security, real-time behaviour, virtualisation, networking and storage. The employer lists the role as home-based worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with silicon, cloud and hardware teams on a supported Ubuntu kernel variant.
• Investigate kernel failures, improve testing and delivery automation, and maintain build quality.
• Prepare, review and apply patches with Canonical engineers and upstream maintainers.
• Contribute to kernel performance, security, device support or cloud optimisation according to team assignment.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of operating-system kernels and practical C programming, with motivation for low-level Linux work.
• Ability to work independently to schedules and communicate effectively in English with colleagues and partners.
• A computer science or STEM degree, or a persuasive alternative engineering path.
• Relevant extra experience can include kernel patching, drivers, security, Git, Ubuntu packaging or automation.

Technology in this role

• Python: Listed by the employer as part of the role’s technical requirements.
• Linux: Knowledge of operating-system kernels and practical C programming, with motivation for low-level Linux .
• C: Knowledge of operating-system kernels and practical C programming, with motivation for low-level Linux .
• Bash: Listed by the employer as part of the role’s technical requirements.
• Git: Relevant extra experience can include kernel patching, drivers, security, Git, Ubuntu packaging or .
• CAN: Relevant extra experience can include kernel patching, drivers, security, Git, Ubuntu packaging or .

Role-specific candidate guide

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

Understanding the scope. This Linux Kernel Engineer 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 develops multiple Ubuntu kernel variants for new hardware and cloud environments. The posting lists work on benchmarking, embedded platforms, Livepatch, security, real-time behaviour, virtualisation,…” 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 embedded and systems software 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 “Coordinate with silicon, cloud and hardware teams on a supported Ubuntu kernel variant.”; “Investigate kernel failures, improve testing and delivery automation, and maintain build quality.”; “Prepare, review and apply patches with Canonical engineers and upstream maintainers.”. 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 “Knowledge of operating-system kernels and practical C programming, with motivation for low-level Linux work.”; “Ability to work independently to schedules and communicate effectively in English with colleagues and partners.”; “A computer science or STEM degree, or a persuasive alternative engineering path.”. 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 what you personally owned, how you made trade-offs, how you validated the result and what you learned. If the posting specifies years of experience, language ability, certifications, location or eligibility, address those facts plainly in your CV or application rather than relying on the employer to infer them. Do not claim a qualification from exposure alone. For a requirement you do not meet, describe relevant transferable experience accurately and ask the recruiter whether it is mandatory.

Technology and working evidence. The technology terms associated with this listing are Python, Linux. Treat this as a set of posting-derived signals, not a guarantee that every tool is used daily or that the list is complete. For each term.

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. 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.

Browse job categories

Related jobs

• Ubuntu Linux Kernel Test Engineer at Canonical — Canonical
• Ubuntu Linux Kernel Build Automation Engineer at Canonical — Canonical
• Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - BIOS/Firmware at Canonical — Canonical
• Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement at Canonical — Canonical
• Lead Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer at Canonical — Canonical
• Junior Linux Kernel Engineer at Canonical — Canonical