Engineering Manager, MAAS

About Canonical

Canonical stands at the forefront of open source innovation, delivering cutting-edge software solutions and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology sectors. Our flagship platform, Ubuntu, powers transformative initiatives across public cloud computing, data science, artificial intelligence, engineering breakthroughs, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Trusted by the world’s leading public cloud providers, silicon manufacturers, and industry pioneers, Canonical’s influence spans diverse sectors. With a globally distributed workforce of over 1,200 professionals spanning more than 80 countries, the company champions a modern, collaborative work culture where traditional office-based roles are rare. Teams convene two to four times annually in person at strategically chosen global locations to align on vision, strategy, and execution. As a founder-led, profitable, and rapidly expanding enterprise, Canonical offers a dynamic environment for ambitious professionals.

Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Engineering Manager to join our expanding MAAS (Metal as a Service) team. MAAS represents our mission to deliver the premier solution for deploying and managing private bare-metal infrastructure, offering a cloud-like, on-demand API for physical server provisioning, network configuration, and storage management. This role is ideal for technical leaders with a passion for high-quality software development and high-performance team leadership, coupled with deep expertise in Linux-based physical servers, storage systems, and data center networking.

Responsibilities

The Engineering Manager will oversee a distributed team of engineers, fostering talent development through structured coaching, mentoring, and career planning. Key responsibilities include:

• Team Leadership: Lead, challenge, and develop engineers while positively influencing team and company culture, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Set and manage expectations with engineering teams, senior management, and external stakeholders to drive cohesive project delivery.
• Software Development Advocacy: Champion modern software development practices, including code and architectural reviews, to elevate engineering standards.
• Strategic Engagement: Actively participate in the engineering process, collaborate with broader teams at Canonical, engage with the open source community, and build relationships with key partners.
• Global Collaboration: Travel to internal and external events for 4 to 6 weeks annually, facilitating alignment and fostering innovation across distributed teams.

The MAAS team is responsible for delivering a hyperscale provisioning technology that underpins Ubuntu’s scalability and cloud readiness. The software stack, developed in Python and Go, spans the entire spectrum—from low-level hardware detection and provisioning to high-level management interfaces, APIs, and CLIs. Successful candidates will demonstrate fluency across these layers and the ability to anticipate the broader implications of engineering decisions within a complex distributed system.

Key Requirements

• Technical Background: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or a related field, complemented by an exceptional academic track record from both secondary and higher education.
• Software Development Expertise: Proven experience delivering software solutions using Python, Go, or similar programming languages.
• Linux Proficiency: Comprehensive experience with Linux system administration, with a focus on Debian or Ubuntu environments.
• Data Center & Networking Knowledge: Deep familiarity with Linux storage systems and data center networking capabilities, essential for managing bare-metal infrastructure.
• Leadership & Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, solve complex distributed systems challenges, and drive innovation in data center technology.

Work Environment

This is a fully remote position, available to candidates in the EMEA or Americas regions. The role requires leadership within a distributed team aligned to your respective time zone, with a commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation across global boundaries.

If you are a visionary technical leader eager to shape the future of data center management through open source innovation, we invite you to apply and become a pivotal part of Canonical’s mission to revolutionize infrastructure at scale.