Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - Silicon Enablement

About the role

Canonical is expanding Ubuntu’s support for System‑On‑Chip platforms and needs a Linux Kernel Engineer to work on silicon enablement. You will collaborate with global teams and silicon vendors to integrate, optimise and deliver high‑performance kernel variants for Ubuntu.

Key responsibilities

• Work closely with silicon partners (e.g., NVIDIA, Xilinx, MediaTek, Qualcomm) to integrate their platforms into the Ubuntu kernel.
• Diagnose and resolve kernel issues reported by partners, customers or discovered through testing.
• Deliver silicon‑optimised kernel builds and improve automation around kernel testing and delivery.
• Submit, review and apply kernel patches, coordinating with upstream maintainers.
• Identify and implement performance‑maximising techniques for partner silicon.

Required profile

• Well‑organised, self‑motivated and able to thrive in a remote work environment.
• Strong software‑engineering aptitude at the hardware level.
• Experience with low‑level development (RTOS, bare‑metal) is valuable; direct Linux kernel experience is a plus.
• At least two years of relevant experience (≈24 months).

Required skills

• Operating system kernel fundamentals
• Snap packaging
• Performance optimisation for silicon platforms
• Linux kernel patching
• BSP development
• Device driver development
• C programming
• Ubuntu and Debian ecosystems
• Bash scripting
• Git version control
• Debugging skills
• Python scripting

What we offer

• Opportunity to influence Ubuntu’s core technology on a global scale.
• Fully remote work arrangement.
• Collaboration with leading silicon manufacturers.
• Competitive compensation and benefits typical for Canonical.