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Collabora Productivity Ltd. is a software company recognized for its specialization in transforming innovations from Open Source projects, particularly LibreOffice, into market-ready solutions. The company not only delivers software but also provides long-term support and consultancy services tailored to the needs of businesses, non-profits, and government entities. Leveraging extensive experience in open source leadership, Collabora Productivity combines this with a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by its diverse clientele.
At the core of Collabora's technical expertise lies a strong focus on the office software domain. This includes proficiency with the Open Document format as well as legacy document formats such as OpenXML and Microsoft binary file formats. Their development environment is based on modern C++17 standards, ensuring high performance and maintainability for large-scale software projects.
The key responsibilities of the Remote C++ Software Engineer role at Collabora involve root cause analysis and addressing document interoperability issues. Engineers are expected to analyze client problems, design robust solutions using open source technologies, and communicate these solutions clearly to stakeholders. Participation in annual conferences to present progress to the open source community is also an important aspect of the role, fostering transparency and collaboration.
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to independently analyze limited project descriptions, break down complex tasks into manageable deliverables, and effectively report on progress. Assisting with project cost estimations and implementing features based on ambiguous customer requirements to exceed expectations are essential skills. Effective communication with community members, team colleagues, and customers via mailing lists, chats, phone, and video conferencing is critical, along with the capacity to travel internationally a few times per year.
On the commercial side, this position requires understanding client needs and balancing time constraints, available technologies, and open source best practices. The role demands experience working globally with engineers and clients across different continents and a grasp of customers’ organizational structure, product offerings, target markets, and decision-making processes.
Technically, applicants should have large-scale C++ development experience, ideally on projects exceeding one million lines of code, and prior involvement with LibreOffice development is required. Strong code reading skills, knowledge of office suite file formats, and experience with binary file format reverse engineering are advantageous. Familiarity with open source development methodologies, active participation in the open source community, and significant contributions to open source components are highly valued.
A formal degree (BS/BA) or extensive practical experience as a software engineer is expected, along with unit testing expertise and cross-platform awareness, especially with Linux, Windows, or macOS. Knowledge of at least one additional platform is a plus, with Cygwin experience recommended if Windows is primary. Experience with mobile operating systems such as Android or iOS is an added bonus. Scripting skills in Perl, Python, BASH, or similar languages and proficiency with version control systems, preferably git, round out the technical requirements.
Personal attributes sought in candidates include high self-motivation, reliability, and a genuine passion for open source and the office software domain. The ability to work remotely from a home office and manage time effectively is crucial. Candidates must be capable of self-directed learning to quickly assimilate knowledge about Collabora’s services, business model, project delivery lifecycle, and related technical fields. Good interpersonal skills, effective presentation abilities, and strong English communication skills are necessary, with German language skills considered a bonus. The role demands comfort working and communicating in a fully distributed online environment.
Collabora also mentions the possible use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support aspects of the hiring process, such as application review, resume analysis, and response assessment. However, final hiring decisions rest with human recruiters. Candidates seeking further information about data processing are encouraged to contact the company directly.
