Software Engineering Manager Ubuntu Gaming (Remote)

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1100+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.

The company is founder led, profitable and growing.

As the Software Engineering Manager for Ubuntu Gaming, your mission is to help make gaming on Ubuntu first-class. In this exciting time for Linux gaming, compatibility tools like Proton have matured, but a well-rounded gaming experience goes beyond compatibility. It entails maximising performance, robust and secure anti-cheat mechanisms, full device support, and ease of content creation, sharing and discovery. By collaborating with open-source projects and other partners, you’ll contribute to not just Ubuntu but the wider Linux gaming ecosystem.

Location: This role will be based remotely in the Americas or EMEA region.

The role entails

• Leading your team in optimising and expanding the Ubuntu gaming experience, focusing on the Steam Snap.
• Managing project timelines, balancing feature improvements with deadlines.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to align your team’s work with other teams and company objectives.
• Conducting keen-eyed code reviews, focusing on quality, performance, and modern design principles.
• Collaborating with upstream projects like Proton and partners like Unity to enhance Ubuntu’s gaming capabilities.
• Working closely with other teams to ensure a cohesive and comprehensive Ubuntu experience.
• Driving performance improvements across a wide range of hardware.
• Engaging actively with the open source and gaming community to gather feedback and collaborate on improvements.

What we are looking for in you

• An undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with upstream projects and partners.
• Familiarity and experience with the Linux graphics stack spanning user-space components to low level kernel drivers.
• Exceptional software project management skills, encompassing risk assessment and resource allocation.
• Ability to balance technical leadership with effective team management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for both internal and external interactions.
• Robust planning skills, demonstrated by your capacity to manage multi-cycle improvements.
• Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks long

Nice-to-have skills

• A passion for technology and gaming, driving you to work with intelligent, motivated colleagues.
• Initiative in proactively identifying opportunities and solving challenges.
• Curiosity, flexibility, and a strong sense of accountability.
• A focus on soft skills, including passion, enterprise, and self-motivation.

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 recognise 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
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 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 its 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.