Software Engineering

Roles and responsibilities

As a Software Engineer on the Core Desktop team, you'll join a dedicated team of professionals to build the next generation of immutable Ubuntu desktop. Our goal is to put Linux desktops back at the forefront of security, reliability and usability. In this project we combine the best ideas of immutable Linux with the latest Linux desktop experience to bring our global ecosystem of developers a much better platform for innovation. We mostly code in system languages such as C/C++ and use Python and Shell scripting as well. Occasionally we use Go, and Dart / Flutter. This role offers a unique opportunity to grow and learn in a fast-paced environment. Your contributions, guided by more experienced team members, will be essential in shaping the future of Ubuntu's Core Desktop.

Location: This this is a home-based position on a team in the EMEA region.

What your day will look like

• Design and develop elements of the Core Desktop.
• Work with the latest Linux container technologies - kernel namespaces, cgroups, apparmour, seccomp and more
• Write high quality, defensive and performant code for millions of demanding daily users
• Collaborate with team members to understand the intricacies of immutable desktops.
• Participate in code reviews to gain a deep understanding of quality standards and architecture.
• Engage with the Ubuntu community to gather user feedback and insights.
• Contribute to documentation to aid in your learning and that of future team members.
• Take part in regular team meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and upcoming development sprints.
• Troubleshoot and resolve user-reported issues, gaining experience in debugging and problem-solving.
  

What we are looking for in you

• Outstanding academic results
• An undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path.
• An understanding of software development methodologies and life cycles.
• A passion for technology and a drive to work with intelligent, motivated colleagues.
• Willingness to learn and adapt, with a keen interest in the challenges of immutable desktop environments.
• Skills in Linux containerisation technologies - kernel namespaces, cgroups, apparmour, or seccomp
• Skills in Linux desktop environments - XDG portals, free desktop specifications, systemd, GRUB etc.
• Skills in C/C++, Go, Python and Shell scripting.
• Good communication skills for both internal and external interactions.
• Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks long.
  

Additional Skills That You Might Also Bring

• Familiarity with Rust, Golang and Dart / Flutter is a plus.
• Initiative to proactively identify opportunities and solve challenges.
• Curiosity, flexibility, and a strong sense of accountability.
• A focus on soft skills, including passion, enterprise, and self-motivation.

Desired candidate profile

1. Programming Languages

• Proficiency in popular languages: Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, Ruby, C#, Swift, etc.
• Understanding of syntax, semantics, and core concepts: Variables, data types, loops, functions, and error handling.

2. Data Structures & Algorithms

• Key concepts: Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, Stacks, Queues, Hash Maps, etc.
• Algorithm Design: Sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion, etc.
• Complexity analysis: Big-O notation, performance optimization.

3. Software Development Practices

• Version Control Systems: Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket.
• Agile Methodology: Scrum, Kanban, user stories, sprints, retrospectives.
• Test-driven development: Unit testing, integration testing, automated testing frameworks (JUnit, Mocha, etc.).

4. Database Management

• SQL Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, etc.
• NoSQL Databases: MongoDB, Cassandra, etc.
• Database Design: Schema design, relationships, normalization, and query optimization.

5. Software Design & Architecture

• Design Patterns: Singleton, Factory, Observer, Strategy, etc.
• System Design: High-level architecture, microservices, distributed systems, REST APIs.
• UML diagrams: Class diagrams, sequence diagrams, etc.

6. Web Development (if applicable)

• Frontend: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
• Backend: Node.js, Django, Flask, Spring, Ruby on Rails, etc.
• Web Servers: Apache, Nginx, etc.

7. Cloud Computing

• Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.
• Services: Compute, storage, networking, and serverless solutions.
• CI/CD pipelines: Jenkins, CircleCI, Travis CI, etc.

8. DevOps & Automation

• Containers: Docker, Kubernetes.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform, Ansible, etc.
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD).