Linux Kernel Firmware Engineer - UEFI/ACPI at Canonical in Columbus
Career & Market Insight
Niche Expertise with High Market Value: Firmware and UEFI/ACPI kernel engineering is an exceptionally rare specialization. Engineers with deep ACPI/AML and UEFI knowledge command significant premiums — this skill set is in short supply across hyperscalers, OEM vendors (Dell, HP, Lenovo), and embedded/IoT companies. Developing this expertise at Canonical is a strong career differentiator.
Compensation Signals: No salary range is published, which is a mild red flag for transparency. However, Canonical's geo-adjusted pay model means compensation varies significantly by country. For a senior firmware/kernel engineer in the US or Western Europe, market rates typically range from $140,000–$200,000+ USD annually. APAC-based candidates should research local Canonical ranges, as geo-adjustment can substantially reduce this figure.
Green Flags:
- Canonical has a 20+ year track record as a fully remote employer — remote culture is deeply embedded, not a recent adaptation.
- Ownership of FWTS (Firmware Test Suite) means visible, upstream open-source contributions — excellent for career portfolio and community standing.
- Direct collaboration with PC platform vendors builds an industry network that's hard to develop elsewhere.
Yellow Flags:
- Canonical's compensation is geo-adjusted, which can mean below-market pay for engineers in lower-cost regions who have globally competitive skills.
- The role demands highly specialized C/ACPI/UEFI expertise — limited crossover if you want to pivot to higher-level software roles later.
Work-Life Balance: Async culture, self-directed work, and twice-yearly sprints suggest a healthy balance. The $2,000 L&D budget signals investment in continuous learning.
With a proven track record now spanning decades, Ubuntu is now the go-to Linux distribution for x86/amd64 environments. To stay at the forefront of consumer choice, Canonical — the company behind Ubuntu Linux — is expanding its investment into PC platform stability, reliability, and performance. The Canonical Kernel Team — those responsible for the build, maintenance, and distribution of the Linux kernel for Ubuntu — is looking for an individual to take ownership of aspects pertaining to the boot process, BIOS, UEFI, ACPI, and other platform firmware components as they pertain to the Ubuntu Linux kernel.
The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of ACPI, ideally from the Linux kernel perspective, as well as enough familiarity with BIOS/UEFI to resolve issues as they are reported from PC platform vendors or the community at large. Prior work experience with a major PC platform firmware vendor or active participation in the Coreboot project would be a significant advantage.
The role entails
- Collaborate regularly and proactively with a globally distributed team
- Work closely with our PC platform enablement team and vendors to resolve issues involving BIOS, UEFI, ACPI, or other problems involving boot and configuration of the Linux kernel
- Become a primary contributor and maintainer to the Firmware Test Suite (FWTS)
- Improve tooling and automation for comprehensive verification of Ubuntu Linux on x86 platforms
- Submit, review, and apply kernel patches, working with both internal and external upstream maintainers
What we are looking for in you
- Well-organised and motivated self-starter able to thrive in a remote work environment
- Professional manner with colleagues, business partners, and the open-source community
- Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal
- Significant programming ability in C
- Demonstrated software development background involving UEFI and/or ACPI, with in-depth understanding of AML
- Solid background with git
- Familiarity with the x86 bootstrap process
- Understanding of operating system kernel fundamentals, with a focus on ACPI and UEFI interaction
- Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events of up to two weeks length
Additional skills that you might also bring
- Python and Bash scripting ability
- Prior background with the coreboot project
- Ubuntu/Debian/Snap packaging
- Experience with Linux kernel patching and debugging
- Familiarity with Devicetree, SystemReady, u-boot, or other non-x86 platform bootstrap or configuration mechanisms
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.
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