John Chittum
About John Chittum
John Chittum is an Engineering Manager at Canonical, where he has worked since 2021, focusing on re-architecting pipelines for improved build reliability. He has a diverse background in software engineering and music education, holding advanced degrees in music composition and having co-founded an online arts magazine.
Current Role at Canonical
John Chittum serves as an Engineering Manager at Canonical, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on re-architecting pipelines to enhance the speed and reliability of builds. He coordinates Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) and oversees Ubuntu releases, including his leadership in the release processes for Ubuntu versions Impish and Jammy.
Previous Experience at Canonical
Prior to his current role, John worked at Canonical as a Software Engineer from 2020 to 2021. His contributions during this time laid the groundwork for his subsequent promotion to Engineering Manager. His experience at Canonical has been marked by a focus on improving software development processes.
Career at Akamai Technologies
John Chittum's tenure at Akamai Technologies spanned several roles from 2014 to 2020. He began as a Release Engineer and progressed to Senior Software Engineer II. His work involved systems software engineering and release management, contributing to the efficiency of software deployment processes.
Educational Background
John holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Music Composition from The University of Missouri-Kansas City, which he completed between 2010 and 2016. He also earned a Masters of Music in Music Composition and Electronic Music from Brooklyn College from 2007 to 2009, and a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Music Education and Literature from DePauw University from 2002 to 2006.
Community Involvement and Initiatives
John has actively engaged in community initiatives, including founding and organizing 'Breaking In!', a meetup designed to assist individuals from non-traditional backgrounds in entering the engineering field. He co-founded DiaKCritical, an online arts magazine, and has held leadership roles in various organizations focused on music and arts in Kansas City.