Solution Architect Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation, and IoT. Our customers include the world's leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office-based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.

The company is founder-led, profitable, and growing.

We are hiring a Public Cloud Solution Architect to drive Canonical's joint initiatives and technical engagements with major public clouds. This role will act as the technical counterpart to Canonical's Cloud Alliance GTM Lead, working closely with engineering, sales, and product management teams across Canonical and our cloud partners. While not a sales role, it demands both technical expertise and commercial awareness, as well as the ability to prioritize and navigate the strategies of both parties. 

Location: This role will be based remotely in the AMER region.

• Collaborating with product, engineering, and alliance teams at public cloud partners to align on open-source strategies.
• Ensuring Canonical's product requirements are clear and delivery is executed as planned.
• Maintaining relationships with engineering teams to integrate and optimize Ubuntu on public clouds.
• Acting as a product champion and point of contact for named cloud partners.
• Coordinating with marketing and product teams on messaging, content creation, and launch plans.
• Creating partner- and customer-facing materials like webinars, presentations, videos, and white papers.
• Driving Ubuntu adoption across cloud products, advocating its benefits to stakeholders.
• Delivering first-party offerings with subscription components with cloud providers.
• Leading in making Canonical products the default choice for our cloud partners to build on and accelerating adoption of our technology by end users on their platforms.

• Working understanding and strong interest in public cloud technologies.
• Exceptional academic track record from both high school and university, with an undergraduate degree in a technical subject or a compelling narrative about your alternative chosen path.
• Confidence to respectfully speak up and exchange ideas without hesitation.
• Driven to meet commitments and achieve results, evidenced by a track record of delivering beyond expectations.
• A commitment to leadership, skills development and mentorship.
• Passion for technology evidenced by personal as well as business pursuits.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, and accountability.
• Outstanding business English writing and presentation skills.
• Appreciative of diversity, effective in a multicultural, multi-national organisation
• Ability to travel internationally twice a year for company events up to two weeks long.

• Experience with Linux (Debian or Ubuntu preferred), Azure, AWS, GCP, devops, containers, open source technologies.
• Product management background or a desire for a future in product management.
• Strategic partner management or development experience.
• Understanding of marketing and go-to-market strategy.

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

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.