Graduate Software Engineer, Open Source and Linux, Canonical Ubuntu at Canonical

Graduate Software Engineer, Open Source and Linux, Canonical Ubuntu

Location: Home based - Worldwide (fully remote)

Overview

Canonical is recruiting Graduate Software Engineers (2024 & 2025 graduates) to join engineering teams that build and maintain Ubuntu and related open source projects. This full-time, remote role offers diverse engineering challenges across the entire software stack — from BIOS and kernel to desktop applications, cloud services and container platforms. Successful candidates will join collaborative, distributed teams and contribute to products used by millions worldwide.

The role entails

• Contribute to product roadmaps and participate in global sprints held twice yearly.
• Design, build and maintain high-quality, resilient and performant code across a range of languages and environments.
• Work on Linux system components (BIOS/boot, kernel, drivers), developer tooling, cloud-native services, packaging and distribution systems.
• Engage with users and upstream open source communities via code reviews, issue trackers and patches.
• Respond to customer issues and help shape enterprise-grade solutions and support processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, learn software engineering best practices and grow technical ownership.

What we are looking for in you

We seek high-performing graduates with strong academic records, practical programming experience and a passion for open source.

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Business Informatics or another STEM discipline with programming experience.
• Confidence to write and deliver code in one or more languages such as Python, Rust, C/C++, Golang, JavaScript or Java.
• Prior experience with Linux or another distribution and an eagerness to deepen system-level knowledge.
• Outstanding academic results and evidence of personal projects, open source contributions or above-and-beyond achievements.
• Strong communication skills in English, curiosity, accountability and team collaboration skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally twice a year for in-person sprints (up to two weeks each).

Nice-to-have skills

• Upstream open source contributions and packaging experience (Debian, Fedora, Nix, Snap).
• Experience across Linux distribution packaging, kernel patching, cloud and container tooling, or embedded systems.
• Familiarity with security, cryptography, performance profiling, or tooling for large-scale systems.
• Presentation, documentation and leadership experience.

What we offer colleagues

Canonical provides a remote-first environment, career development opportunities and a benefits package tailored by location. Compensation is shaped by geography, experience and performance; eligible roles may also receive performance-driven bonuses.

• Fully remote working environment with twice-yearly global sprints.
• Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year.
• Annual compensation review and recognition rewards.
• Annual holiday leave and maternity/paternity leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support.
• Opportunity to travel to meet colleagues; Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events.

About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, a leading open source platform used across cloud, AI, IoT and enterprise initiatives. We operate as a globally distributed, founder-led organisation that partners with cloud and silicon providers and contributes to major open source ecosystems.

Graduate programme details

This fast-track process is for graduates who completed their first degree in 2024 or 2025. The role is full-time and intended as a career entry point into Canonical's engineering organisation. Teams are generally aligned by time zone (EMEA, APAC, AMER) to ensure strong mentorship and peer collaboration.

Application notes

Indicate your university grading result (or expected result) and the grading system used. When documenting work history, follow the guidance provided for counting companies in the last ten years. Recruitment Privacy Notice and Privacy Policy apply; submission of equal opportunities data is voluntary and will not affect hiring decisions.

Requisition ID: 1300

How to apply

Apply via Canonical's careers site for this role: https://canonical.com/careers/7180042