From the listing
About the role
Every year we select new junior professionals into the Canonical Kernel Team, to work on the Linux kernel for Ubuntu. We are a global team working to ship the world's most widely used Linux kernel, across the very latest silicon and cloud.
The Canonical Kernel Team builds and maintains all supported Ubuntu Linux kernels for a variety of platforms and architectures from small embedded devices to standard desktop/server systems to large-scale cloud environments.
These are full-time positions available to prospective or recently graduated students.
What you'll do
- Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team.
- Learn from senior mentors to demystify the inner workings of the Linux kernel and how it is distributed.
- Work closely with external silicon, cloud, or hardware manufacturer delivery teams on bleeding-edge platforms.
- Diagnose and resolve issues in the kernel reported by customers, the community, and discovered by your own rigorous testing.
- Take personal responsibility for the delivery of various flavors of the Ubuntu Linux kernel.
- Improve tooling and automation for delivery and test of Ubuntu Linux kernels.
- Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with both internal and external upstream maintainers.
- Tackle initiatives including optimized solutions for key Silicon and Cloud partner platforms; developer platforms such as Raspberry Pi and RISC-V; enabling Ubuntu on embedded systems; security hardening and exploit mitigation; third-party driver integration and distribution; and expanded driver support for bleeding-edge PC platforms.
What they're looking for
- Recent university graduates or early career professionals enthusiastic to develop kernel-level software in multiple areas including security updates, patching, and testing.
- Background in software engineering.
- Well-organized and motivated self-starter able to thrive in a remote work environment.
- Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open-source community.
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal.
- Programming experience in C and/or Rust.
- Familiarity with version control practices, ideally with git.
- Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals.
- Ability to travel globally twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length.
Nice to have
- Interest and experience in Rust.
- Python and Bash scripting ability.
- Prior experience with Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging.
- Demonstrated experience with kernel patching and debugging.
- Strong grasp of device drivers, BSP’s, and other low level system engineering.
From the company page
Benefits
The hot takeJeff's read on Canonical
Canonical is a bit tricky for me to review for a few reasons:
Their Glassdoor reviews have dropped down to 3.1 (March 25, 2026), right at my threshold. I'd want to see this start trending in the correct direction in order to consider them for inclusion again.
I like they they have yearly sprints in cool locations like Cape Town, Madrid, and London.
I like that hire-from-anywhere/work-from-anywhere roles are clearly labeled on the job listings as "worldwide."
I'd like to read more about how they feel about their employees traveling as a digital nomad, or being location-independent in general.
I'd like to see more details about the perks they do or don't offer employees, though I suspect they vary by hiring region.
Please get back to me, because I would like to include you again, but need a few more details to do so.