Ubuntu Enablement - Software Engineering Manager

About the Role

Join Canonical’s Device Delivery Team as a Software Engineering Manager, where you will play a pivotal role in enabling OEM and ODM partners to pre-load Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Core, delivering cutting-edge technology to millions of users worldwide. This leadership position demands a dynamic blend of technical expertise, strategic management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive successful OEM enablement projects. As a Software Engineering Manager, you will oversee a high-performing team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products while fostering innovation, efficiency, and excellence in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

In this critical role, you will be responsible for leading and managing a software engineering team to deliver OEM enablement projects with precision and excellence. Your responsibilities will include:

• Team Leadership and Development: Recruit, mentor, and empower your team to achieve exceptional results, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Set clear goals, prioritize tasks, and measure team health indicators to ensure sustained productivity and growth.
• Project Management and Coordination: Work closely with project managers, Hardware Enablement (HWE), Quality Assurance (QA), and certification management teams to monitor projects from inception to post-mortem. Handle escalations with agility and ensure seamless execution of deliverables.
• Technical Collaboration and Communication: Act as the primary technical liaison with OEMs, ODMs, SiPs, and IHVs, resolving complex challenges and aligning solutions with customer expectations. Prioritize and address global customer requests with a strategic and customer-centric approach.
• Cross-Functional Engagement: Collaborate with product engineering teams across Desktop, Foundations, Kernel, and Security to align on methodologies, strategies, and best practices. Drive the adoption of industry-leading standards and tools to enhance team performance and product quality.
• Travel and Global Engagement: Engage with global partners and stakeholders by traveling to key regions including the EU, USA, China, and Taiwan (subject to post-COVID-19 travel restrictions).

Required Skills and Experience

To excel in this role, you must possess the following qualifications and competencies:

• Education and Technical Background: A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a STEM field, preferably in Computer Science or Software Engineering, with a strong foundation in Linux systems, particularly Ubuntu or Debian.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated experience in technical roles involving Linux, with a deep understanding of low-level debugging, system architecture, and maintainable code quality. A commitment to development and testing methodologies is essential.
• Management Experience: Proven track record in managing software engineering teams, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and develop talent while driving performance and career growth.
• Collaboration and Communication: Exceptional ability to work collaboratively in a globally distributed team, leveraging self-discipline and self-motivation to deliver results. Fluency in both English and Chinese, both written and verbal, is required to facilitate effective communication across regions.
• Commitment and Adaptability: A high level of energy and dedication to meeting deadlines, coupled with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Desirable Skills and Experience

While not mandatory, the following skills and experiences will enhance your candidacy for this role:

• Technical Leadership: Experience as a tech lead, making critical technical decisions and guiding teams through complex challenges.
• Software Architecture: Proficiency in software design and architecture, with a focus on scalability, performance, and maintainability.
• Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience with Ubuntu (kernel and userspace), deb/snap packaging, QEMU/KVM, LXC/LXD, containers, Python, Go, C, bash, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Kubernetes, OpenStack, Ceph, and AI/ML technologies.
• Open-Source Contributions: Active participation in open-source development projects, demonstrating a commitment to the broader tech community.
• CI/CD Experience: Familiarity with Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and best practices.

Why Join Canonical?

Canonical is a global leader in open-source software, committed to delivering world-class solutions that meet the evolving computing needs of businesses and consumers alike. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that drives innovation and excellence. We believe that a diverse team enhances our ability to create impactful software and services, and we are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.