About the Company & Graduate Programme
The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster, with a digital footprint that reaches millions of users daily across platforms such as BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and BBC News. As a graduate within the Digital & Platform Engineering division, you will be at the heart of the UK's most influential media organisation, working on the technology that powers our global output. We are committed to fostering a culture of innovation, where curiosity is encouraged and engineering excellence is the standard. This programme is designed to cultivate the next generation of technical leaders, providing you with a unique opportunity to work on large-scale systems that present complex engineering challenges in a high-traffic environment.
Our commitment to early careers is paramount. We view our graduate intake as a pivotal investment in the future of the BBC’s digital evolution. You will be immersed in a collaborative environment that values diversity of thought and technical rigour. Whether you are building features for iPlayer or enhancing the cloud infrastructure that delivers live content to millions, your work will be seen, heard, and experienced by a vast audience. This is not just a standard graduate programme; it is a platform for you to influence how the UK and the world consume digital content in an increasingly connected era.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate within agile, cross-functional squads to design, develop, and test high-quality software solutions using languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or Go.
- Engage in the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), from initial architectural discovery and user story refinement to deployment and post-release monitoring.
- Work with cloud-native technologies, primarily AWS, to build scalable and resilient microservices that support the BBC’s extensive digital portfolio.
- Participate in pair programming and code reviews, ensuring the delivery of clean, maintainable, and efficient code in alignment with BBC engineering standards.
- Engage with senior stakeholders and product owners to translate complex editorial or user-focused requirements into actionable technical specifications.
- Contribute to DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipeline management, automated testing, and infrastructure-as-code initiatives to enhance system performance.
- Take ownership of specific project modules, managing your own tasks and timelines while receiving direct guidance from experienced staff engineers.
- Research emerging digital trends and prototyping new features that could define the next generation of BBC digital products.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- A minimum of a 2:1 degree (predicted or obtained) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or any STEM discipline with a significant programming component.
- A genuine passion for software engineering and a demonstrable desire to solve complex, real-world technical problems.
- Ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical team members.
- Proficiency in at least one modern programming language and a strong grasp of data structures, algorithms, and system design principles.
- Proven ability to work effectively within a team environment, demonstrating empathy, reliability, and an inclusive approach to collaboration.
- An analytical mindset, with the capacity to think critically about system architecture and performance bottlenecks.
- Strong interest in the media and technology sector, with a keen eye for how digital tools enhance user experience.
- Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without restriction, as the BBC provides visa sponsorship for eligible international candidates on this scheme.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
The programme spans 24 months and is structured into four six-month rotations, allowing you to gain exposure to different areas of the BBC, such as News, Sport, Content Discovery, and Personalisation. Each rotation offers a distinct challenge, ensuring you develop a broad technical skillset that bridges software engineering, cloud infrastructure, and data systems. Throughout your journey, you will receive structured training on industry-standard tools, alongside the potential for funding for professional certifications, including AWS Certified Developer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, or relevant Cloud Security qualifications.
To support your professional growth, you will be assigned a dedicated 'Buddy' from a previous graduate cohort to help you navigate your first few months. You will also have a formal mentor—a senior engineer or lead—who will provide career guidance, technical coaching, and performance feedback. Our 'Learning & Development' framework ensures you are not just coding, but also developing soft skills such as public speaking, stakeholder management, and project leadership. You will have regular access to internal tech talks, hackathons, and global technology conferences, keeping you at the forefront of digital innovation.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,500 per annum, with regular performance-based reviews.
- Annual performance-related bonus scheme based on individual and departmental objectives.
- Generous pension scheme with employer contribution matching up to 10%.
- 26 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional days.
- Comprehensive private healthcare plan and dedicated wellbeing resources, including mental health support.
- Hybrid working allowance to support your home office setup, alongside a travel-to-work loan scheme.
- Access to the BBC’s exclusive internal training academy, covering technical and leadership development.
- Relocation assistance may be provided for candidates moving to London from outside the Greater London area.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application: Submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your motivation for joining the BBC’s technical team.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: A series of online assessments designed to test your logical reasoning and how you align with our core values.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A pre-recorded session to answer competency-based questions regarding your technical projects and problem-solving skills.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: The final stage includes a group exercise, a live coding challenge, and a 15-minute technical presentation to a panel of engineers.
Applications are processed on a rolling basis. We strongly encourage you to submit your application early, as high-volume roles often close before the official deadline once all spots are filled.