Employment

Server Engineering Manager

Posting Date: September 2009
Job Location: Your home (given appropriate facilities including broadband Internet) in an American or European time zone.
Job Summary: Ubuntu Server Edition is a platform for cloud computing and large scale lean server deployments. With our server edition we empower the architects of the next generation of cloud-oriented data center infrastructures to deliver faster, better, larger-scale solutions to their users and customers. In this role, you will help shape the design of large-scale computer infrastructure. You should be passionate about the future of server-side computing, and an excellent leader of engineers who share that passion. Ubuntu strives to deliver the latest-best free software components, in an easy to use and highly reliable form. We build on the technical excellence of Debian and bring additional focus and shape to the solutions we offer industry. The successful candidate will be mindful of the dynamics of the open source ecosystem, and equally aware of the needs of large but innovative organisations.
Reports To: Ubuntu CTO

Key responsibilities:

• Work with internal and external stakeholders and executive management to define and agree the product roadmap for Ubuntu Server Edition and related products
• Manage a diverse, fast-moving, distributed technical team, including task assignment and feedback on progress
• Work with the team's Technical Lead to manage engineering plans and schedules for feature development and software packaging, taking responsibility for these projects through their full life cycle
• Work with peer managers on feature planning for the whole of Ubuntu, ensuring that dependencies are properly handled and realistic deadlines are set
• Maintain a good working relationship with Ubuntu community developers and other related projects, by fostering open and transparent culture and operations in the team
• Lead and participate in regular engineering meetings involving international travel

Required skills and qualities:

• Strong managerial skills, including ability to coordinate a team to deliver several parallel projects according to strict deadlines
• Excellent communications skills in the English language, both verbal and written, especially in online environments such as mailing lists and IRC
• History of developing strong, productive relations with open-source development groups
• Ability to effectively interact with a diverse group of people (both technical and non-technical), multi-tasking when necessary
• Ability to be productive in a globally distributed team through self-discipline and self-motivation, delivering according to a schedule, and to motivate and mentor others to do the same
• Strong working knowledge of the Linux server market, from SMB to enterprise
• Strong working knowledge of Linux server technologies and applications
• Knowledge of cloud computing technologies highly valuable

Experience:

• Proven track record in project management and line management of small-to-medium-sized teams at a global level
• Extensive experience of the Linux and free software world, and solid knowledge of relevant industry trends
• 3+ years project management experience with responsibility for at least 3 or more people and full project life cycles