Software Engineer Jobs at Canonical with Visa Sponsorship
Software Engineer jobs at Canonical span systems programming, Kubernetes, and Ubuntu development across distributed, open-source infrastructure and cloud projects, with global recruiting for qualified candidates. The company has a track record of sponsoring H-1B visas for qualified engineers, making it a viable target if you're building a U.S. immigration strategy around a technical role.
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Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.
We are hiring a System Software Engineer for GCC/LLVM compiler, tooling, and ecosystem. We are building a team to focus on the modern C and C++ programming language and their ecosystem on Ubuntu. They will deliver the best possible GCC and LLVM runtimes, developer experience, and supporting tooling in Ubuntu. They will ensure that the cutting edge of modern programming languages innovation is available to Ubuntu users, to lay the foundation for future inventions and open source communities. This is an exciting opportunity for a software engineer with a strong passion for compilers, runtimes, and tool chains. You will have excellent competencies in modern C/C++, Linux distributions, software architectures, and open source software. Come build a rewarding, meaningful career working with the best and brightest people in open source technology at Canonical, a growing international software company and make Ubuntu the best operating system to develop and run C/C++ applications in the cloud, in datacenters, in containers, directly on the operating system, and anywhere Ubuntu can run.
The Ubuntu Foundations Team delivers the core Ubuntu system, the base for the entire Ubuntu family of products and services. Ubuntu strives to deliver the latest-best free software components, in an easy to use and highly reliable form. We build on the technical excellence of keystone open source software like GNU and Debian and bring additional focus and shape to the solutions we offer the industry. Part of the Ubuntu Foundations team, you will work on one of the most critical toolchains involved in the making of Ubuntu and the pillars of the modern software ecosystem. You will leverage your competencies and experience in C, C++ to make Ubuntu the best platform to develop, distribute, and consume software built with GCC and LLVM. You will be passionate about the future of C, C++, of Ubuntu, mindful of the dynamics of the open-source ecosystem, and equally aware of the needs of large but innovative organizations. You will drive the best in class integration in Ubuntu from desktop to cloud in a secure, reliable, performing, efficient, and future-proof fashion. You will be discussing design with other team members, mentor less senior engineers, and participate in code reviews and design reviews. You will also be working with other teams to ensure architecture decisions improve the overall performance and experience of Ubuntu. Your role as part of the Ubuntu Foundations team will have an impact on every aspect of Ubuntu from Desktop, Server, Ubuntu Core, and also cloud images.
LOCATION: This role will be based remotely in the AMERICAS region
THE ROLE ENTails
Based on the first round of interviews, we identify specific teams where you might be an excellent fit and conduct second-round interviews with those teams. Our engineers are:
- Collaborate proactively with a distributed team
- Select, integrate, and package best-of-breed tooling with Ubuntu to improve developer and operator experience with GCC and LLVM
- Write high-quality code to create new features
- Debug issues and produce high-quality code to fix them
- Review code produced by other engineers
- Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding good solutions
- Work from home with global travel 2 to 4 weeks a year for internal and external events
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN YOU
- You have relevant GCC or LLVM experience, ideally in the world of cloud-native software and Linux
- You have experience in packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu
- You are a long-time Linux user
- Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
- Undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path
- You love technology and working with brilliant people
- You are passionate, curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable
- You value soft skills and are passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long
NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS
- Experience with Linux distributions and distribution engineering
- Experience with software packaging and distribution mechanisms
- Understanding of build systems and toolchains, including for cross-compilation
- Performance or Security Engineering experience
WHAT WE OFFER YOU
We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events
ABOUT CANONICAL
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence - in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
Canonical is an equal opportunity employer
We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
INTRODUCTION
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution. The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.
We are hiring a System Software Engineer for GCC/LLVM compiler, tooling, and ecosystem. We are building a team to focus on the modern C and C++ programming language and their ecosystem on Ubuntu. They will deliver the best possible GCC and LLVM runtimes, developer experience, and supporting tooling in Ubuntu. They will ensure that the cutting edge of modern programming languages innovation is available to Ubuntu users, to lay the foundation for future inventions and open source communities. This is an exciting opportunity for a software engineer with a strong passion for compilers, runtimes, and tool chains. You will have excellent competencies in modern C/C++, Linux distributions, software architectures, and open source software. Come build a rewarding, meaningful career working with the best and brightest people in open source technology at Canonical, a growing international software company and make Ubuntu the best operating system to develop and run C/C++ applications in the cloud, in datacenters, in containers, directly on the operating system, and anywhere Ubuntu can run.
The Ubuntu Foundations Team delivers the core Ubuntu system, the base for the entire Ubuntu family of products and services. Ubuntu strives to deliver the latest-best free software components, in an easy to use and highly reliable form. We build on the technical excellence of keystone open source software like GNU and Debian and bring additional focus and shape to the solutions we offer the industry. Part of the Ubuntu Foundations team, you will work on one of the most critical toolchains involved in the making of Ubuntu and the pillars of the modern software ecosystem. You will leverage your competencies and experience in C, C++ to make Ubuntu the best platform to develop, distribute, and consume software built with GCC and LLVM. You will be passionate about the future of C, C++, of Ubuntu, mindful of the dynamics of the open-source ecosystem, and equally aware of the needs of large but innovative organizations. You will drive the best in class integration in Ubuntu from desktop to cloud in a secure, reliable, performing, efficient, and future-proof fashion. You will be discussing design with other team members, mentor less senior engineers, and participate in code reviews and design reviews. You will also be working with other teams to ensure architecture decisions improve the overall performance and experience of Ubuntu. Your role as part of the Ubuntu Foundations team will have an impact on every aspect of Ubuntu from Desktop, Server, Ubuntu Core, and also cloud images.
LOCATION: This role will be based remotely in the AMERICAS region
THE ROLE ENTails
Based on the first round of interviews, we identify specific teams where you might be an excellent fit and conduct second-round interviews with those teams. Our engineers are:
- Collaborate proactively with a distributed team
- Select, integrate, and package best-of-breed tooling with Ubuntu to improve developer and operator experience with GCC and LLVM
- Write high-quality code to create new features
- Debug issues and produce high-quality code to fix them
- Review code produced by other engineers
- Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding good solutions
- Work from home with global travel 2 to 4 weeks a year for internal and external events
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN YOU
- You have relevant GCC or LLVM experience, ideally in the world of cloud-native software and Linux
- You have experience in packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu
- You are a long-time Linux user
- Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
- Undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path
- You love technology and working with brilliant people
- You are passionate, curious, flexible, articulate, and accountable
- You value soft skills and are passionate, enterprising, thoughtful, and self-motivated
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long
NICE-TO-HAVE SKILLS
- Experience with Linux distributions and distribution engineering
- Experience with software packaging and distribution mechanisms
- Understanding of build systems and toolchains, including for cross-compilation
- Performance or Security Engineering experience
WHAT WE OFFER YOU
We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. We provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events
ABOUT CANONICAL
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world on a daily basis. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence - in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
Canonical is an equal opportunity employer
We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
See all Software Engineer Jobs at Canonical
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Software Engineer Jobs at Canonical.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Software Engineer Jobs at Canonical
Align your experience with Canonical's stack
Canonical's Software Engineer roles center on Linux internals, Go, Python, and cloud-native infrastructure. Tailor your resume to reflect open-source contributions and systems-level work, not just general software development experience.
Verify your degree field matches specialty occupation
H-1B approval depends on your role qualifying as a specialty occupation. For Canonical's engineering roles, a degree in computer science, software engineering, or a closely related field is the baseline USCIS reviewers expect to see.
Target roles marked as remote or globally distributed
Canonical operates as a fully distributed company. Software Engineer postings often don't list a fixed U.S. office location, which can affect how your Labor Condition Application is filed with the DOL. Clarify work location during the offer stage.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open Software Engineer roles
Canonical lists Software Engineer openings across specializations like cloud, kernel, and platform. Use Migrate Mate to browse current postings filtered by visa sponsorship eligibility so you're only applying to roles where H-1B support is confirmed.
Prepare for a lengthy distributed interview process
Canonical's hiring pipeline typically involves multiple async and live technical rounds over several weeks. Get your references, portfolio, and open-source project links organized early so delays on your end don't slow an already extended process.
Understand cap timing before accepting an offer
H-1B petitions are subject to an annual cap with a lottery window that opens each March. If you receive an offer outside that window, work with your employer to confirm whether cap-exempt filing applies or whether you'll need to wait for the next cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canonical sponsor H-1B visas for Software Engineers?
Yes, Canonical sponsors H-1B visas for Software Engineer roles. The company hires globally and has supported engineers through the H-1B process, covering employer-side filing responsibilities including the Labor Condition Application with the DOL and the I-129 petition with USCIS. Sponsorship is not automatic on every posting, so confirm the position's eligibility during your initial recruiter conversation.
Which visa types are commonly used for Software Engineer roles at Canonical?
The H-1B is the primary visa type for Software Engineers at Canonical seeking U.S. work authorization. Because Canonical is a UK-founded company with global operations, some engineers may also explore L-1 visa intracompany transfer visas if they've worked at Canonical abroad first. Your specific situation, employment history, and citizenship determine which pathway is most viable.
What qualifications or experience are expected for Software Engineer roles at Canonical?
Canonical's Software Engineer roles typically expect strong proficiency in Python or Go, deep familiarity with Linux systems, and comfort working in distributed, open-source environments. Many postings favor engineers with public open-source contributions or experience in cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes, or Ubuntu-adjacent tooling. A relevant bachelor's degree or higher is standard for H-1B specialty occupation eligibility.
How do I apply for Software Engineer jobs at Canonical?
You can find and apply for Software Engineer roles at Canonical through Migrate Mate, which filters active postings by visa sponsorship availability. Canonical's application process is fully remote and typically starts with a written application or async screening, followed by technical assessments and live interviews. Having your GitHub profile, open-source work, and technical references ready before you apply speeds up the process.
How do I understand the timeline for H-1B filing after receiving an offer from Canonical?
The H-1B cap lottery registration opens each March for an October 1 start date. If Canonical extends an offer and your target start date falls within that cycle, your employer must register you before the window closes. USCIS issues selection results within weeks of the lottery close, and the full petition is filed after selection. Factor in four to six months from offer to work authorization start when planning your timeline.