Python Engineer at Canonical - Distributed Systems Career in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
Canonical's OpenSearch team offers a strong career foundation in distributed systems and cloud-native data infrastructure — two of the highest-demand skill areas in enterprise tech. Working on automation for search/analytics engines (OpenSearch, Elasticsearch) positions you at the intersection of DevOps, platform engineering, and data infrastructure, a combination that commands premium salaries in the market.
Compensation context: Canonical does not publish salary ranges and adjusts pay by geography. For a mid-senior Python/distributed systems engineer in Western Europe, market benchmarks are €70,000–€110,000 annually; Canonical is known to be competitive but not always top-of-market — the strong benefits package and remote flexibility partially offset this.
Skills you'll develop:
- Python engineering at scale in open-source infrastructure contexts
- Distributed systems design (replication, fault tolerance, TLS)
- Kubernetes and cloud-native operations (OpenStack, public cloud)
- Open-source community engagement and upstream contribution
Green flags: Remote-first since 2004 (not a pandemic pivot), multi-level hiring (junior to senior), genuine open-source culture, and a clear product mission. The role offers exposure to both internal teams and external upstream communities, which builds a strong professional network.
Potential considerations: No equity/stock options are mentioned, and salaries are geography-adjusted, which may disadvantage candidates in high cost-of-living markets. The company is large enough (~1,000 employees) that growth trajectories are structured but not startup-style accelerated.
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.
The OpenSearch team is, among other things, focused on creating the best enterprise automation solution for search and analytics suites like OpenSearch and Elasticsearch.
We have a number of openings we are looking to hire across a range of levels. 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 OpenSearch team is responsible for the automation of OpenSearch 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 an internationally 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 a diverse set of fields
- 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 development
- 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 search and analytics engines like Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana, and OpenSearch
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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