Opportunity

IoT Sales Account Manager at Canonical | Tech Career in Columbus

Location Columbus
Company Canonical Ltd.
Source jobicy
Posted 2026-08-22 16:20:07

Career & Market Insight

A strong platform for IoT/embedded sales specialists — Canonical's brand in the Linux ecosystem is formidable, and selling Ubuntu Core for IoT gives account managers credibility in a fast-growing market spanning automotive, robotics, and industrial electronics. This is not a commodity SaaS sales role; the technical depth required (embedded Linux, RTOS, containerization) means the skills you build here are genuinely differentiated and in high demand.

Compensation signals: No salary range is disclosed, which is a minor red flag for transparency. Canonical geo-adjusts pay globally, which can mean competitive rates in lower-cost markets but potentially below-market rates in high-cost cities. The performance-driven commission structure rewards high achievers, typical of enterprise field sales roles that benchmark between $120K–$250K+ OTE in North American markets and €80K–€160K+ OTE in Europe, depending on seniority.

Green flags:

  • Pioneer remote-first culture since 2004 — genuine, not performative
  • Profitable, founder-led company — lower risk of sudden layoffs vs. VC-backed startups
  • $2,000 annual L&D budget and annual comp reviews signal investment in employees
  • Exposure to C-suite and senior engineering buyers at global OEMs builds a premium network

Watch-outs: The 50% travel requirement is demanding and can affect work-life balance. The insistence on an "exceptional academic track record" is an unusual bar for a sales role and may reflect a high-performance, high-pressure internal culture. Career progression into management or director roles appears available given the team expansion described.

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 1200+ 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.

Canonical is globally expanding its Embedded Devices Software Solution Sales team, hiring managers, directors, and account managers to broaden reach in mission-critical industries. The successful candidates will focus on our Ubuntu product portfolio, which is already widely used in connected devices and industrial PCs. Our newer offering, Ubuntu Core for IoT, provides state-of-the-art security and resilience for high-end appliances and equipment, serving global brands in consumer, industrial electronics, automotive, and robotics. We are continually enhancing this portfolio with features like real-time Linux capability and pursuing various certifications, representing Linux reinvented for optimal reliability, security, developer productivity, and footprint. We seek technically skilled professionals familiar with embedded Linux and RTOS.

This is a high-energy role focused on prospecting sales and strategic account development, demanding ambition and focus. You will be responsible for carrying an annual bookings quota and must be comfortable positioning and selling a range of open source, services, and software solutions. Leveraging Ubuntu's market adoption, the work requires actively building trusted and profitable commercial relationships, developing the potential of your territory beyond managing inbound interest. This involves prospecting new business, maintaining existing relationships, and working with colleagues on account strategy. Candidates must be effective in selling complex technical solutions, including enterprise software, cloud, virtualization, and container technologies, to senior levels of the enterprise and departments focused on embedded software and IoT devices. Professional practice, clear account planning, continuous pipeline reporting, and the ability to travel regionally for client engagement and internationally for company events twice a year are expected.

Location: We are growing our sales reach with remote roles in all regions — EMEA, APAC, and Americas; and office-based roles in Taipei, Taiwan.

The Role Entails

  • Building and executing a territory sales plan to prioritize leading security-focused brands and manufacturers
  • Working with marketing to promote our brand and increase market awareness in prioritized accounts
  • Developing pipeline through outreach, prospecting, local marketing, and industry events
  • Closing contracts to meet and exceed quarterly and annual bookings targets and achieve strategic objectives
  • Managing customer relationships and interactions through all stages of the sales cycle
  • Working with Field Engineers to understand customer requirements and ensure customer satisfaction
  • Maintaining accurate data and forecasts within Salesforce
  • Establishing productive professional relationships with key influencers and decision-makers
  • Coordinating with colleagues, including support, delivery, and management

What We Are Looking For in You

  • Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
  • Undergraduate degree in a technical subject
  • Confidence to respectfully speak up, exchange feedback, and share ideas without hesitation
  • Track record of going above and beyond expectations to achieve outstanding results
  • Field sales experience in embedded Linux, embedded software, or enterprise software
  • Track record of achievement of sales targets and large account wins
  • Professional written and spoken English with excellent presentation skills
  • Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability
  • Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
  • Ability to travel internationally twice a year, for company events up to two weeks long
  • Willingness to travel up to 50% for customer meetings and industry events
  • Detail oriented with effective follow-up

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 recognize 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
  • Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
  • 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 our 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this role truly remote, or are there office requirements?
The role is fully remote for candidates in EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. An office-based option also exists in Taipei, Taiwan. Canonical has operated as a distributed-first company since 2004.
How much travel is expected in this position?
The role requires willingness to travel up to 50% for regional customer meetings and industry events, plus two international company sprints per year of up to two weeks each. Priority Pass and travel upgrades are provided for long-haul events.
What is the compensation structure for this sales role?
Canonical offers a base salary adjusted by geography, experience, and performance, plus a performance-driven annual commission. Compensation is reviewed annually, and the company states it benchmarks against local market rates.
What technical background is required for this sales position?
Candidates need field sales experience in embedded Linux, embedded software, or enterprise software, plus practical familiarity with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred). Knowledge of cloud, virtualization, containers, and RTOS is advantageous.
What industries will I be selling into in this role?
The primary focus is on security-focused brands and manufacturers in consumer electronics, industrial electronics, automotive, and robotics — companies building connected devices and high-end appliances running Ubuntu Core for IoT.
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