Distributed Systems Engineer

Join Canonical, a premier provider of open-source software and operating systems, including the widely adopted Ubuntu platform for cloud, data science, AI, IoT, and engineering innovation. We are a globally distributed, remote-first company with over 1200 employees in 75+ countries, fostering a culture of collaboration and in-person strategic alignment. This is an exceptional opportunity for a software engineer passionate about open source, Linux, and large-scale web services. Canonical is at the forefront of the IoT revolution, enhancing our position with cutting-edge telemetry and connectivity solutions. We are developing robust, secure, and reliable data streaming capabilities within the Snappy ecosystem to set new industry standards. We seek talented individuals to enhance our global SaaS services, providing essential data services for next-generation IoT devices. Our commitment to data governance, ownership, and confidentiality ensures customer innovation on the trusted Ubuntu platform.

About the Role

This remote role is based in the EMEA region.

What your day will look like

• Collaborate remotely with a global team, driving technical excellence and innovation in diverse engineering environments.
• Design, architect, and build high-performance APIs for streaming data services, ensuring seamless integration using Python and Go.
• Develop robust governance, auditing, and management systems for our telemetry platform, ensuring security, compliance, and operational integrity.
• Partner with the infrastructure team to build scalable cloud-based SaaS solutions and deliver containerized on-prem deployments.
• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of new features from specification to production, ensuring operational excellence at scale.
• Provide technical oversight, conduct code reviews, and establish best practices for engineering excellence.
• Engage in high-level technical discussions, collaborating with engineers, product teams, and stakeholders to find optimal solutions.
• Work remotely with occasional global travel (2-4 weeks annually) for internal and external events to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.

What we are looking for in you

• Expertise in designing and architecting scalable backend services, messaging/data pipelines, and REST APIs using Go or Python, with a focus on best practices, technical direction, and system scalability.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity principles and proactive problem-solving in complex IoT environments, including secure connectivity, data streaming, governance, and compliance.
• Proven experience in designing and optimizing systems using:
  • IAM models, encryption, access control, and compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA) for secure and compliant data handling.
  • Decentralized data ownership models for interoperability and governance.
  • High-throughput, low-latency systems for IoT data processing.
  • Data streaming technologies (MQTT, Kafka, RabbitMQ).
  • Observability tools (OpenTelemetry).
  • Industrial/engineering data exchange protocols (OPC-UA, ModBus).
• Thrive in cross-functional environments, partnering with product teams, engineers, and stakeholders to deliver impactful technical solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers, foster technical excellence, and contribute to a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing.
• Embrace challenges with an open mind, continuously seeking opportunities to learn and innovate in the evolving IoT landscape.
• Familiarity with Ubuntu as a development and deployment platform.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science, STEM, or a related field.
• Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events.

What we offer colleagues

Compensation is based on geographical location, experience, and performance, with annual reviews. Benefits include a performance-driven annual bonus/commission, personal learning and development budget (USD 2,000/year), recognition rewards, annual holiday leave, maternity and paternity leave, Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform, and travel opportunities with Priority Pass and upgrades for long-haul events.