Python Data Platform Engineer at Canonical | EMEA in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
Canonical's data platform engineer role offers strong career development in one of the most in-demand areas of modern engineering: distributed systems automation and cloud-native data infrastructure. Skills in Python, Kubernetes, and data platforms like Kafka, PostgreSQL, and OpenSearch are consistently ranked among the highest-paying and most sought-after in the market.
Compensation: No salary range is disclosed, which is a minor red flag for transparency. However, Canonical is known for globally equitable pay and annual compensation reviews. Market rates for a mid-level distributed systems engineer with Python expertise typically range from $90,000–$140,000+ USD annually in Western markets; Canonical's pay may vary by geography.
Career development signals:
- Green flag: Exposure to a wide stack (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Kafka, OpenSearch, Kubernetes, OpenStack) accelerates T-shaped skill development.
- Green flag: Open-source community interaction builds a public professional profile — valuable for long-term career capital.
- Green flag: Junior-to-senior openings mean real leveling flexibility and internal growth potential.
- Green flag: $2,000 USD annual L&D budget supports certifications (e.g., CKA, AWS, GCP).
- Consideration: Fully async/remote culture requires self-management discipline; not ideal for those who thrive in structured office environments.
The role sits at the intersection of DevOps, data engineering, and platform engineering — one of the most strategically valuable career positions heading into the AI/cloud infrastructure era.
Canonical is building a comprehensive automation suite to provide multi-cloud and on-premise data solutions for the enterprise. The data platform team is a collaborative team that develops a full range of data stores and data technologies, spanning from big data, through NoSQL, cache-layer capabilities, and analytics; all the way to structured SQL engines.
We are facing the interesting problem of fault-tolerant mission-critical distributed systems and intend to deliver the world's best automation solution for delivering data platforms.
We have a number of openings ranging anywhere from junior to senior level. We will help you identify a suitable position depending on your experience and interests. Engineers who thrive at Canonical are mindful of open-source community dynamics and equally aware of the needs of large, innovative organisations.
Location: This role can be filled in European, Middle East and African time zones.
What your day will look like
The data platform team is responsible for the automation of data platform operations. This includes ensuring fault-tolerant replication, TLS, installation, and much more; but also provides domain-specific expertise on the actual data system to other teams within Canonical. This role is focused on the creation and automation of features of data platforms, not analysing the data in them.
- Collaborate proactively with a distributed team
- Write high-quality, idiomatic Python code to create new features
- Debug issues and interact with upstream communities publicly
- Work with helpful and talented engineers including experts in many fields
- Discuss ideas and collaborate on finding good solutions
- Work from home with global travel for 2 to 4 weeks per year for internal and external events
What we are looking for in you
- Proven hands-on experience in software development using Python
- Proven hands-on experience in distributed systems
- Bachelor's or equivalent in Computer Science, STEM, or a similar degree
- Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events
Additional skills that you might also bring
You might also bring a subset of experience from the following, which will determine the exact role and level we consider you for:
- Experience operating and managing data platform technologies like PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, OpenSearch, Kafka, Yugabyte, Trino, Superset, Atlas, Ranger, and Redis
- Experience with Linux systems administration, package management, and operations
- Experience with the public cloud or a private cloud solution like OpenStack
- Experience with operating Kubernetes clusters and a belief that it can be used for serious persistent data services
What we offer you
Your base pay will depend on various factors including your geographical location, level of experience, knowledge and skills. In addition to the benefits above, certain roles are also eligible for additional benefits and rewards including annual bonuses and sales incentives based on revenue or utilisation. Our compensation philosophy is to ensure equity right across our global workforce.
In addition to a competitive base pay, we provide all team members with additional benefits, which reflect our values and ideals. Please note that additional benefits may apply depending on the work location and, for more information on these, please ask your Talent Partner.
- Fully remote working environment - we've been working remotely since 2004!
- Personal learning and development budget of 2,000 USD per annum
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues at 'sprints'
- Priority Pass for travel and travel upgrades for long haul company events
About Canonical
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm that is 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 on a daily basis. 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.
Canonical has been a remote-first company since its inception in 2004. Work at Canonical is a step into the future, and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game. Canonical provides a unique window into the world of 21st-century digital business.
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.