System Software Engineer - GCC/LLVM compiler, tooling, and ecosystem

About the Role

Canonical is seeking a System Software Engineer to join the Ubuntu Foundations team. You will focus on the modern C and C++ programming language ecosystem, delivering the best possible GCC and LLVM runtimes, developer experience, and supporting tooling for Ubuntu users.

This role is critical to the Ubuntu platform, impacting everything from desktop and server environments to cloud images and Ubuntu Core. You will drive best-in-class integration, ensuring Ubuntu remains the premier platform for C/C++ development.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate proactively within a distributed team.
• Select, integrate, and package best-of-breed tooling to improve the developer and operator experience with GCC and LLVM.
• Write high-quality code to create new features and debug complex issues.
• Participate in code and design reviews to ensure architectural excellence.
• Mentor less senior engineers and contribute to cross-team design decisions.
• Work from home with international travel 2 to 4 weeks per year for company events.

Requirements

• Proven experience with GCC or LLVM, ideally in cloud-native or Linux environments.
• Experience packaging software for Debian and Ubuntu.
• Deep familiarity with Linux as a long-time user.
• Strong competencies in modern C/C++, Linux distributions, and software architecture.
• Exceptional academic track record (undergraduate degree in a technical subject or equivalent experience).
• Excellent communication skills and a self-motivated, collaborative mindset.
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with software distribution mechanisms.
• Understanding of build systems and cross-compilation toolchains.
• Background in performance or security engineering.

Benefits

• Distributed work environment with twice-yearly in-person team sprints.
• Annual personal learning and development budget of $2,000 USD.
• Annual compensation reviews and performance-driven bonuses.
• Comprehensive leave policies (holiday, maternity, paternity).
• Wellness platform and team member assistance programs.
• Travel perks including Priority Pass and long-haul upgrades.