Software Engineer (Foundations) Full-time

The Ubuntu Foundations Team delivers the core Ubuntu system, the base for the entire Ubuntu family of products and services. Ubuntu strives to deliver the latest-best free software components, in an easy to use and highly reliable form. We build on the technical excellence of Debian and bring additional focus and shape to the solutions we offer industry. Applicants must be passionate about the future of Ubuntu, mindful of the dynamics of the open source ecosystem, and equally aware of the needs of large but innovative organizations.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• Collaborate proactively with a distributed team
• Adaptable to a wide range of situations and software
• Assist in the maintenance of core components of Ubuntu. Specifically but not limited to:
  • Installers and images
  • Booting and early userspace
  • Package management
  • Toolchain
  • Filesystems
• Central package infrastructure such as the Ubuntu archive
• Become involved in planning of new Ubuntu features, both new ideas in your areas of interest and advising on work being done elsewhere
• Engage in bug-fixing work across a wide variety of components of the Ubuntu platform, helping to ensure that Ubuntu can produce regular high-quality releases on time
• Assist in pre-release testing of Ubuntu, taking personal ownership of problems and driving them to solutions
• Collaborate with other teams in the Ubuntu community and with upstream developers where appropriate, to make sure that Ubuntu includes the very best in free software and that our goals of quality are communicated and encouraged in upstream projects
• When necessary, respond to and work to resolve issues raised by end users and commercially supported customers

Required Skills and Experience

• Proven track record of at least 5 years professional software delivery using , C, C++, Python or similar.
• Degree level education in a technology field
• Experience with agile software development methodologies
• Familiarity with open source development tools and methodologies used in creating Ubuntu, such as: Launchpad, Git, Debian packaging tools: APT, dpkg, debhelper
• An understanding of the makeup of a modern GNU/Linux distribution, Debian or Ubuntu preferred
• Capacity to learn quickly about new systems and techniques
• Excellent logic, problem solving, and troubleshooting skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills