Performance Engineer - Open Source

About the Role

Canonical is seeking exceptional Performance Engineers to join our global engineering teams. As a 'percorr' (performance and correctness) engineer, you will drive software efficiency, reliability, and performance across our entire product range—from the kernel and silicon-level optimizations to web applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive Performance & Correctness: Lead performance initiatives within specific projects to ensure high-quality, efficient code.
• Tooling & Infrastructure: Develop shared tools, dashboards, and measurement frameworks for performance analysis.
• Mentorship: Act as a driver of performance culture, teaching and training team members on design, measurement, and debugging.
• System Analysis: Analyze code and systems to identify bottlenecks, improve scalability, and optimize resource usage.
• Collaboration: Work with global teams and the open-source community to raise the bar for software quality.

What We Look For

• Academic Excellence: Exceptional track record from high school and university; undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or Physics.
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrable experience in performance measurement, profiling, and optimization.
• Language Proficiency: Strong skills in one or more languages (C, C++, Rust, Golang, Python, Java, Flutter-Dart).
• Linux Experience: Proficiency with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred).
• Leadership: Ability to influence technical direction, mentor others, and communicate complex insights effectively.
• Soft Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, accountability, and a collaborative mindset.
• Flexibility: Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Low-level CPU/Assembly, Kernel scheduling, or Distributed systems tracing.
• Compiler-level optimization (PGO, inlining).
• Database performance evaluation (indexing, data modeling).
• Experience with profiling tools like eBPF, D-Trace, or flamegraphs.

What We Offer

• Global Impact: Work on world-leading open-source projects like Ubuntu.
• Distributed Culture: A remote-first environment with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
• Growth: Annual compensation reviews, recognition rewards, and a $2,000 annual learning and development budget.
• Benefits: Comprehensive leave policies (holiday, maternity/paternity), Employee Assistance Programme, and travel support.