Senior Software Engineer - MAAS

As a Senior Software Engineer at Canonical, you will develop core components and features of our Metal As A Service (MAAS) platform. Your main responsibilities include shaping the architecture for better performance and usability, collaborating with teams to deliver timely releases, enhancing our CI/CD environment, and improving documentation for users. Ultimately, your contributions will directly impact how data centers manage resources using MAAS.

To qualify for the Senior Software Engineer role at Canonical, you should have a strong track record in professional software development, particularly with Python or Go for back-end roles. Additionally, you should have proficiency in Linux server technologies, experience with networking, and familiarity with open-source development tools. A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science or related fields is also required.

Canonical offers a remote-first work environment, allowing you to work from home while connecting with global team members. You'll participate in biannual team sprints to foster collaboration and relationship-building. The company has been remote since 2004, illustrating its commitment to flexibility and innovation in work culture, providing you with a unique experience as a Senior Software Engineer.

As a Senior Software Engineer at Canonical, you will have travel opportunities several times a year, allowing you to meet your team in person and collaborate with other colleagues. This travel not only enhances your professional relationships but also enriches your overall experience with the company. Coordination for travel is incorporated as part of the job’s responsibilities.

Canonical is proud of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a variety of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to a better work environment and superior products. As a Senior Software Engineer, your application will be given fair consideration, and you’ll be joining a company that values diverse identities and nurtures an inclusive culture.

In your response, highlight specific projects where you utilized Python or Go, focusing on your role and the outcomes. Describe how your programming skills helped solve complex problems, improved system performance, or contributed to a successful release.

Discuss the purpose of MAAS in providing cloud provisioning for bare metal servers. Mention key functionalities such as automatic resource management and deployment, and how this fits into larger cloud infrastructures. Relate your past experiences with similar technologies to demonstrate your understanding.

Share examples from your professional experience where you collaborated with teams across different time zones or locations. Discuss tools or methods you used to ensure clear communication, foster collaboration, and handle challenges like scheduling meetings or project tracking.

Describe your systematic approach to bugs, including steps like reproducing the issue, delving into logs, and using debugging tools. Emphasize your analytical skills and instances where your approach led to effective solutions.

Provide an overview of your knowledge and experience with Linux servers, including virtualization, containers, and networking protocols. Highlight specific projects or scenarios where you leveraged these technologies effectively.

Discuss your familiarity and practical experience with continuous integration and continuous deployment practices. Share any tools you've used and how your contributions helped streamline deployment processes or improve feedback cycles.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly outline a complex project challenge. Detail your role, the actions you took to overcome difficulties, and the successful outcomes you achieved.

Elaborate on your understanding of key network technologies and protocols like DNS, DHCP, or PXE. Share examples of how you've applied this knowledge in practical settings to solve problems or improve efficiencies.

Explain your time management strategies, emphasizing how you assess the urgency and importance of tasks. Include any tools or methodologies you employ to balance and prioritize your workload effectively.

Reflect on your passion for open source and how it influences your work ethic and collaborative spirit. Share stories of contributions you've made to open source projects or how working in this arena has shaped your view of software development.