Ubuntu Linux Kernel Engineer - BIOS/Firmware
Canonical · Home Based - APAC · Engineering
Curated summary
A remote engineering opening from Canonical with official ATS source details and a direct employer apply link.
Full official source details
This section is loaded from the official Greenhouse source for this role.
Additional source fields
- Employment Length: Full-time
- Core skills: Analysers, Contributor, Developer, Doer, Problem Solver, Technologist, Tester
- External Departments (website): Engineering
- One line job description: Work with our global public cloud partners to deliver and maintain high-quality, high-performance Ubuntu kernels for the best possible open-source experience for our mutual customers.
- LinkedIn Posting Level: Mid-Senior
Official description
With a proven track record now spanning decades, Ubuntu is now the go-to Linux distribution for x86/amd64 environments. To stay at the forefront of consumer choice, Canonical - the company behind Ubuntu Linux - is expanding its investment into PC platform stability, reliability, and performance. The Canonical Kernel Team - those responsible for the build, maintenance, and distribution of the Linux kernel for Ubuntu - is looking for an individual to take ownership of aspects pertaining to the boot process, BIOS, UEFI, ACPI, and other platform firmware components as they pertain to the Ubuntu Linux kernel.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of ACPI, ideally from the Linux kernel perspective, as well as enough familiarity with BIOS/UEFI to resolve issues as they are reported from PC platform vendors or the community at large. Prior work experience with a major PC platform firmware vendor or active participation in the Coreboot project would be a significant advantage.
The role entails
- Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
- Work closely with our PC platform enablement team and vendors to resolve issues involving BIOS, UEFI, ACPI, or other problems involving boot and configuration of the Linux kernel
- Become a primary contributor and maintainer to the Firmware Test Suite (FWTS)
- Improve tooling and automation for comprehensive verification of Ubuntu Linux on x86 platforms
- Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with both internal and external upstream maintainers
What we are looking for in you
- Well-organised and motivated self-starter able to thrive in a remote work environment
- Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open-source community
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal
- Significant programming ability in C
- Demonstrated software development background involving UEFI and/or ACPI, with in-depth understanding of AML.
- Solid background with git
- Familiarity with the x86 bootstrap process
- Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals, with a focus on ACPI and UEFI interaction
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length
Additional skills that you might also bring
- Python and Bash scripting ability
- Prior background with the coreboot project
- Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
- Experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging
- Familiarity with Devicetree, SystemReady, u-boot, or other non-x86 platform bootstrap or configuration mechanisms
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 recognize 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 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 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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Application questions shown by the source
- First Name (Required)
- Last Name (Required)
- Email (Required)
- Phone (Optional)
- Resume/CV (Required)
- Cover Letter (Optional)
- During this application process I agree to use only my own words. I understand that plagiarism, the use of AI or other generated content will disqualify my application. (Required)
- How did you perform in mathematics at high school? (Required)
- How did you perform in your native language at high school? (Required)
- Please share your rationale or evidence for the high school performance selections above. Make reference to provincial, state or nation-wide scoring systems, rankings, or recognition awards, or to competitive or selective college entrance results such as SAT or ACT scores, JAMB, matriculation results, IB results etc. We recognise every system is different but we will ask you to justify your selections above. (Required)
- What was your bachelor's university degree result, or expected result if you have not yet graduated? Please include the grading system to help us understand your result e.g. ‘85 out of 100’, ‘2:1 (Grading system: first class, 2:1, 2:2, third class)’ or ‘GPA score of 3.8/4.0 (predicted)’. We have hired outstanding individuals who did not attend or complete university. If this describes you, please continue with your application and enter ‘no degree’. (Required)
- Are you comfortable using your own computer running Ubuntu? (Required)
- Please summarise any experience you have in HW level programming. What platform(s)? To what extent? (Optional)
- Please summarise any experience you have working in operating system kernels. Which kernel(s)? To what extent? (Optional)
- If you have made direct contributions to Linux kernel mainline or other open source projects, please provide links here. (Optional)
- We require all colleagues to meet in person 2-4 times a year, at internal company events lasting between 1-2 weeks. We try to pick new and interesting locations that will likely require international travel and entry requirement visas and vaccinations. Are you willing and able to commit to this? (Required)
- Website (Optional)
- LinkedIn Profile (Optional)
- Please confirm that you have read and agree to Canonical's Recruitment Privacy Notice and Privacy Policy. (Required)
- In which country do you currently work? (Required)
- In the past ten years, looking only at the time since you graduated your first undergraduate degree, how many companies have you worked for? (Required)
- Which gender do you identify as? (Required)
- Please indicate your nationality: (Required)
- Please indicate your race or ethnicity: (Required)
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