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- Tasks: Lead a team in developing observability tools for Kubernetes and manage engineering processes.
- Company: Join Canonical, the innovative company behind Ubuntu, focused on open source software.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, annual bonuses, personal development budgets, and generous leave policies.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team improving open source observability while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong coding skills, experience in Python, and a passion for open source and observability required.
- Other info: Opportunity to travel and represent Canonical at conferences, with a focus on team culture.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Engineering managers at Canonical are always coders who are able to review and lead both architecture and code. They should also be astute judges of character, and comfortable setting expectations and holding colleagues accountable to them. We are investing in the Grafana logging, monitoring and observability stack, to make it easier to deploy and operate on Kubernetes. This is part of a broader initiative to deliver the world's best suite of open source tools, where we provide deep integration and automation for best-of-breed open source offerings that cover metrics, logging, telemetry, alerting, tracing and profiling.
Our goal is to make it very simple for distributed systems engineers and devops to build, debug and run complex distributed systems with very high levels of confidence and the ability to inspect, correlate and understand the internal dynamics of these solutions. Our implementation of Kubernetes operators for the Grafana LMA stack is opinionated, resilient, and scalable, providing deep insights out of the box. The user experience is polished and seamless for the end-users, and its administrators will enjoy smooth, lightweight Day 1 and Day 2 operations.
We are excited to be improving the state of the art for open source LMA and also to be expanding the integrations which make it very easy to use with a wide range of open source solutions. The team has grown and we are now looking for a dedicated technical engineering manager. As part of the observability group, you will lead the development of the Logging, Monitoring and Alerting elements. This is an exciting opportunity for a software engineer passionate about open source software, Linux, Kubernetes, and Observability.
As an Engineering Manager at Canonical, you must be technically strong, but your main responsibility is to run an effective team and develop the colleagues you manage. You will develop and review code as a leader, but know that the best way to improve the product is to ensure that the whole team is focused, productive and unblocked. You are expected to help them grow as engineers, do meaningful work, do it outstandingly well, find professional and personal satisfaction, and work well with colleagues and the community.
You will also be expected to be a positive influence on culture, facilitate technical delivery, and regularly reflect with your team on strategy and execution. You will collaborate closely with other Engineering Managers, product managers, and architects, producing an engineering roadmap with ambitious and achievable goals. We expect Engineering Managers to be fluent in the programming language, architecture, and components that their team uses. Code reviews and architectural leadership are part of the job. The commitment to healthy engineering practices, documentation, quality and performance optimisation is as important, as is the requirement for fair and clear management, and the obligation to ensure a high-performing team.
Location: This role can be home based in the EMEA or Americas regions.
What your day will look like:
- Manage a distributed team of engineers and its observability portfolio
- Organize and lead the team’s processes in order to help it achieve its objectives
- Conduct one-on-one meetings with team members
- Identify and measure team health indicators
- Interact with a vibrant community
- Review code produced by other engineers
- Attend conferences to represent Canonical and its Observability Stack
What we are looking for in you:
- An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university
- Drive and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations
- A proven track record of professional experience of software delivery
- Professional python development experience, preferably with a track record in open source
- A proven understanding of the importance of observability and monitoring for keeping software running smoothly
- Experience designing and implementing observability solutions
- A willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events
- Professional written and spoken English
- Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred)
- Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability
- Passion, thoughtfulness, and self-motivation
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments
Additional skills that you might also bring:
- A working knowledge of Go
- Interest and experience with container technologies
What we offer you:
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 recognise outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus. 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
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass, and travel upgrades for long haul company events
Observability Engineering Manager employer: Canonical
Contact Detail:
Canonical Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Observability Engineering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Grafana logging, monitoring, and observability stack. Understanding its architecture and how it integrates with Kubernetes will give you a significant edge during discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed engineering teams in the past. Highlight your ability to facilitate team processes and improve productivity.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with the open-source community, particularly around observability and monitoring tools. This will not only enhance your knowledge but also demonstrate your passion for the field when you connect with us.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your Python and Go programming skills, as well as your experience with Linux systems. Being technically proficient will help you stand out as a candidate who can lead by example.
We think you need these skills to ace Observability Engineering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in software delivery, particularly with Python and open source projects. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience managing distributed teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for observability and monitoring. Discuss how your background aligns with Canonical's goals and mention specific projects or experiences that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills related to Linux, Kubernetes, and observability solutions. Provide examples of how you've implemented these technologies in past roles to improve software performance.
Highlight Soft Skills: Since the role requires excellent interpersonal skills, make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led teams, facilitated communication, and contributed to a positive team culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Canonical
✨Show Your Technical Expertise
As an Observability Engineering Manager, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical strength. Be prepared to discuss your experience with programming languages, particularly Python, and your understanding of observability tools and practices. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving Kubernetes and open source software.
✨Emphasise Team Management Skills
This role requires effective team management, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Discuss your approach to conducting one-on-one meetings, setting expectations, and fostering a positive team culture. Show that you can balance technical leadership with people management.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly related to observability and monitoring, and how you overcame them. This will showcase your ability to handle real-world situations effectively.
✨Demonstrate Passion for Open Source
Since Canonical is deeply rooted in open source, express your passion for this area during the interview. Share your experiences contributing to open source projects or your thoughts on the importance of community engagement. This will resonate well with the company's values and mission.
