Kernel Engineer

Pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source, publishing Ubuntu.
Backend
Remote
2+ years of experience
AI · Enterprise SaaS

Description For Kernel Engineer

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, is expanding its support for various System On Chip (SoC) platforms to meet the growing demand from silicon manufacturers. The Canonical Kernel Team is seeking software engineers with a strong aptitude for hardware-level development to join their globally distributed team.

As a Kernel Engineer, you will:

  • Collaborate with a global team and silicon vendor partners
  • Integrate platform support into the Ubuntu Linux kernel
  • Diagnose and resolve kernel issues
  • Deliver silicon-optimised variants of the Ubuntu Linux kernel
  • Improve tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing
  • Submit, review, and apply kernel patches
  • Identify ways to maximize performance on partner silicon

Key requirements:

  • Strong programming ability in C
  • Experience with device drivers, BSPs, and hardware-level system engineering
  • Solid background with git
  • Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
  • Ability to work remotely and travel twice a year for company events

Preferred skills:

  • Python and Bash scripting
  • Experience with major SoC families
  • Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
  • Linux kernel patching and debugging
  • Performance optimization for silicon platforms

Canonical offers a home-based work environment with twice-yearly team sprints, personal learning budget, annual compensation review, and various benefits. As a remote-first company since 2004, Canonical provides an opportunity to work at the cutting edge of open source technology and contribute to the widely-used Ubuntu platform.

Join Canonical to challenge yourself, think differently, and be part of a team that's shaping the future of AI, IoT, and cloud computing through open source innovation.

Last updated 16 days ago

Responsibilities For Kernel Engineer

  • Collaborate with a globally distributed team
  • Work with silicon vendor partners to integrate platform support
  • Diagnose and resolve kernel issues
  • Deliver silicon-optimised variants of the Ubuntu Linux kernel
  • Improve tooling and automation for kernel delivery and testing
  • Submit, review, and apply kernel patches
  • Identify ways to maximize performance on partner silicon

Requirements For Kernel Engineer

Linux
Python
  • Strong programming ability in C
  • Experience with device drivers, BSPs, and hardware-level system engineering
  • Solid background with git
  • Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals
  • Ability to work remotely
  • Ability to travel twice a year for company events
  • Professional manner with colleagues, partners, and open-source community
  • Effective communication in English

Benefits For Kernel Engineer

Education Budget
  • Home-based work environment
  • Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
  • Annual compensation review
  • Recognition rewards
  • Annual holiday leave
  • Maternity and paternity leave
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Opportunity to travel to meet colleagues
  • Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long haul company events

Interested in this job?