Senior Software Engineer (Backend)

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 Senior / Staff / Lead Engineer to join the Launchpad team and take the lead in shaping the future of open‑source collaboration.

Launchpad is a platform for managing open‑source development projects. It includes code hosting and review, bug tracking, package building, translations, and other facilities used by free and open‑source software developers.

As a senior or staff‑level engineer passionate about Linux, web services, and scalable development platforms, you'll have the opportunity to architect and refine a mature, Python‑driven system that supports major projects like Ubuntu. Your work will be instrumental in maintaining business‑critical services while driving innovation, whether by expanding package‑building capabilities, enhancing developer workflows, or modernising the web UI.

In this role, you'll empower developers across the world by ensuring that Launchpad remains a well‑structured, high‑velocity environment for open‑source contribution. As part of Canonical's globally distributed team, you'll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in open‑source technology, building essential infrastructure that enables the next generation of software development. If optimising large‑scale projects, driving continuous improvement, and supporting developers excites you, this is the perfect opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Location

This is a remote role based in the EMEA region. Candidates will be expected to be located within this region.

The role entails

• Influencing and driving design, architecture, and feature decisions across distributed teams, to ensure high‑impact solutions.
• Crafting exceptional, API‑first Python code with unit tests, that delivers robust, well‑structured systems that scale.
• Diagnosing and resolving complex technical challenges, implementing high‑quality fixes that enhance performance and reliability.
• Mentoring and uplifting fellow engineers, leading code reviews that reinforce best practices and elevate team excellence.
• Enjoying the freedom of remote work while staying globally engaged. Travelling internationally 2 to 4 times a year to collaborate in key internal discussions and industry‑leading external events—expanding your network, sharing expertise, and shaping innovation on a global stage.

What we are looking for in you

What we offer colleagues

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 recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance‑driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programmes to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.

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 of software. 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. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our 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.

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