Graduate Software Engineer, Open Source and Linux, Canonical Ubuntu

Position Overview

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Its flagship platform, Ubuntu, empowers breakthrough initiatives in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. With over 1200 colleagues in 75+ countries and a pioneering remote work culture, Canonical is hiring 2024 and 2025 Graduate Software Engineers to work on a diverse range of challenges—from low-level system components to modern cloud technologies—in a highly collaborative environment.

This full-time role offers the opportunity to work remotely while connecting with teammates during biannual in-person sprints, ensuring mentorship, shared problem solving, and career development.

Key Responsibilities

• Shaping the roadmap for your product at global sprints every six months.
• Focusing on design and user experience, even for developer tooling and command line apps.
• Writing high quality, resilient and performant code, potentially serving millions of demanding daily users.
• Working towards mastery of key programming languages and Linux system knowledge.
• Engaging with users and the open source community through code reviews and issue trackers.
• Responding to customer issues as a priority and developing an understanding of enterprise requirements.
• Developing skills and awareness of security in software design and implementation.

Required Qualifications

• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university.
• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Business Informatics, Mathematics, or another STEM discipline with programming courses.
• Confidence to deliver high quality code in one of Python, Rust, C/C++, Golang, JavaScript, or Java.
• Experience with Ubuntu or another Linux distribution.
• Proven track record of exceeding expectations and achieving outstanding results.
• Result-oriented and organized, with the drive to meet commitments.
• Engagement in personal projects in technology and software engineering beyond the curriculum.
• Professional written and spoken English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Thoughtfulness, self-awareness, and the ability to reflect and develop.
• Willingness to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.

Preferred Qualifications

• Upstream open source contributions.
• Packaging and Linux distribution contributions such as Debian, Fedora, Arch, or Nix.
• Leadership and organization skills.
• Presentation and writing skills.
• Business and commercial interests.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation:Shaped by geographical location, experience, and performance with an annual review and a performance-driven bonus or commission.
• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Recognition rewards and an annual holiday leave package.
• Maternity and paternity leave along with a Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform.
• Opportunities to travel to new locations to meet colleagues, plus Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events.