Engineering Manager - Security Standards and Hardening

As the most widely used Linux distribution, Ubuntu underpins the security of the entire internet. The role of Security Engineering Manager directly impacts the safety and security of millions of users worldwide. Join a team of security experts dedicated to protecting the open-source ecosystem and driving innovation. Your leadership will be instrumental in addressing emerging threats, developing robust security measures, and ensuring the continued integrity of Ubuntu. This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference and leave a lasting legacy on the digital landscape. As we place ever more trust in software and data security in our increasingly connected world, Canonical’s mission to deliver the world’s best open source platform comes with a responsibility: to set the highest possible standard for software security, not only for the OS, but also for the wide range of open source infrastructure and software that developers enjoy within the Ubuntu ecosystem. With Canonical’s Ubuntu being the leading open source platform for large-scale cloud and edge deployments, we are increasingly called upon to help customers meet strict security requirements such as FIPS, CIS, STIG, FedRAMP and the new CRA. This role is about leading the charge to set the security standards for open source software across the Ubuntu platform, from desktops, servers and edge devices to cloud infrastructure, Kubernetes and OpenStack, by certifying core components to meet industry standards and guiding development teams across the company in security best practices. We work primarily within the areas of cryptographic modules (FIPS 140) and system hardening, where we collaborate with industry partners including CIS and DISA to define and build secure operating system deployments. An Engineering Manager is responsible for line management and career guidance. The ability to develop engineering talent, to represent your team and product from a technical perspective, and to drive collaboration with other teams and customers are all critical to success in this role.

What you will do in this role

Lead and develop a team of engineers, ranging from graduate to senior

Coach, mentor, and offer career development feedback

Identify and measure team health indicators

Implement disciplined engineering processes

Represent your team and product to stakeholders, partners, and customers

Develop and evangelise great engineering and organisational practices

Plan and manage progress on agreed goals and projects

Support our products and customers to meet strict product security requirements such as FIPS, CIS, STIG, FedRAMP and the new CRA

Support the work addressing specific cryptography modules (FIPS 140) and system hardening efforts with indrustry partners, including CIS and DISA

What we are looking for in you

An exceptional academic track record from both high school and university

Undergraduate degree in Computer Science or STEM, or a compelling narrative about your alternative path

Drive, and a track record of going above-and-beyond expectations

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

A love of developing and growing people and a track record of it

Organised and able to ensure your team delivers timely, high quality results

Professional manner interacting with colleagues, partners, and community

Prior experience working on FIPS/Common Criteria certified products and in-depth knowledge of the underlying standards

Prior experience working directly with DISA-STIG or CIS benchmarks, including related audit + remediation tooling (e.g. Compliance as Code)

Knowledgeable and passionate about software and application security

Solid experience working in an agile development environment

A demonstrated drive for continual learning

Builds trust, relationships and confidence

Result-oriented, with a personal drive to meet commitments

Ability to travel twice a year, for company events up to two weeks each

Optional th