Opportunity

Enterprise IoT Sales Manager at Canonical - APAC Growth in Columbus

Location Columbus
Company Canonical Ltd.
Source jobicy
Posted 2026-08-20 12:01:27

Career & Market Insight

Career trajectory: This is a quota-carrying individual contributor role in enterprise tech sales, focused on the fast-growing embedded Linux and IoT market. Canonical is expanding this team rapidly (hiring managers, directors, and AEs), meaning strong performers have a credible path to senior or leadership roles within 12–24 months.

Market positioning: Ubuntu dominates the embedded Linux landscape, giving you a strong brand to sell behind. IoT and embedded security are among the highest-growth segments in enterprise software right now. Sales professionals with experience in embedded Linux command above-market salaries — typically USD 100k–160k OTE for APAC-based enterprise AEs at similar companies, though Canonical adjusts for geography.

Skills developed:

  • Technical sales for embedded Linux, RTOS, OTA update platforms, and container/virtualization stacks
  • Enterprise account planning and Salesforce pipeline management
  • Navigating complex buying committees in automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics verticals

Green flags: Canonical is founder-led, profitable (rare in tech right now), and has operated fully distributed since 2004 — a sign of genuine remote-first culture, not a pandemic pivot. The annual comp review and recognition program show structured career investment.

Red flags to watch: The 50% travel requirement is significant — verify this aligns with your personal commitments. Compensation is not disclosed upfront and is geo-adjusted, which could mean lower base pay depending on your country of residence. The "exceptional academic track record" requirement may feel anachronistic for a senior sales role.

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: This is a remote role in the APAC region.

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

  • 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

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 fully remote or does it require working from an office?
This is a fully remote role based anywhere in the APAC region. Canonical has operated as a distributed-first company since 2004, with very few office-based positions globally.
How much travel is required for this position?
The role requires up to 50% travel for regional customer meetings and industry events, plus two international company events per year of up to two weeks each. Canonical provides Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company trips.
What is the compensation structure for this sales role?
Canonical offers a base salary plus a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. Compensation is adjusted based on geographical location, experience, and performance, and is reviewed annually.
What technical background is needed for this sales role?
Candidates should have field sales experience in embedded Linux, embedded software, or enterprise software, along with hands-on familiarity with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred). A technical undergraduate degree is required.
Is there a professional development budget available?
Yes, Canonical provides a personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year for all team members.
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