Engineering Manager - Ubuntu Linux Kernel

The role entails

• Transition from individual contribution or technical leadership into full-time people and project management.
• Lead and mentor a globally distributed team of talented Linux kernel engineers.
• Manage the delivery, testing, and maintenance of Ubuntu kernels across various platforms (cloud, server, desktop, and IoT).
• Drive engineering excellence, ensuring code quality, security, and performance standards are met consistently.
• Develop and execute team strategies, aligning with broader company goals and product roadmaps.
• Collaborate with silicon vendors, cloud partners, and internal Canonical teams to enable new hardware and features.
• Own the release cycles and update cadence for your team's kernel portfolios.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, feedback, open-source collaboration, and accountability within the team.

What we are looking for in you

• Proven experience as a Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead, or similar role with a strong desire to transition into a formal management position (no prior direct management experience required).
• Solid technical background in systems software, C programming, or operating systems concepts. Direct experience with the Linux or other operating system kernels would be highly regarded, but is not essential.
• Prior experience developing with software packaging formats, with direct Ubuntu/Debian/Snap experience being highly regarded.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers, guide complex technical projects, or drive architectural decisions.
• Leadership potential and a commitment to skills development and mentorship.
• Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation.
• Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.

Nice-to-have skills

• Experience acting as a scrum master, project lead, or informal mentor for remote teams.
• Direct experience contributing to or participating in the Linux kernel community.
• Familiarity with continuous integration (CI) and automated testing frameworks for systems software.