About the Company & Graduate Programme
The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster, and our Digital Media & Platform Engineering team is at the heart of our mission to inform, educate, and entertain. We operate at a scale few other organisations can match, delivering world-class platforms like BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and our vast News digital infrastructure. As a graduate engineer, you will work on the systems that serve millions of daily active users, ensuring that our content remains accessible, resilient, and cutting-edge.
Our commitment to early careers is woven into our cultural DNA. We believe that diverse perspectives drive the innovation required to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving global media landscape. This graduate intake is pivotal to our ongoing digital transformation, as we continue to shift towards cloud-native architectures and data-driven audience insights. You will be joining an environment that champions technical excellence, continuous learning, and public service values, providing you with a unique platform to launch your career alongside industry-leading experts.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate within cross-functional Agile squads to design, build, and maintain high-traffic web and mobile platform services.
- Engage in the full software development lifecycle, from writing clean, testable code to deploying robust microservices via CI/CD pipelines.
- Work hands-on with modern technologies including Java, Node.js, Python, AWS cloud infrastructure, and Kubernetes.
- Participate in code reviews, technical workshops, and architecture discussions to ensure software quality and scalability.
- Engage with senior stakeholders, including product owners and editorial leads, to translate user requirements into technical features.
- Implement performance monitoring and observability tools to ensure our services provide a seamless experience for global audiences.
- Contribute to open-source initiatives and internal engineering forums, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and technical innovation.
- Troubleshoot complex technical issues, performing root cause analysis to maintain the stability of our mission-critical systems.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or any STEM discipline with significant programming components.
- A minimum predicted or achieved 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems through logical reasoning and collaborative teamwork.
- Familiarity with at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, JavaScript) and an interest in cloud technologies.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- An analytical mindset, curiosity for new technologies, and a passion for the BBC’s public service mission.
- Candidates must have the right to work in the UK without restriction; we provide visa sponsorship for international students who qualify under the Graduate Route.
- A growth mindset, with an eagerness to participate in continuous professional development and knowledge sharing.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
The programme is a structured 24-month journey designed to immerse you in different areas of the BBC’s digital ecosystem. You will rotate through three distinct 8-month placements, covering areas such as Platform Engineering, Audience Data, and Content Delivery. Each rotation is designed to give you exposure to different tech stacks and business problems, ensuring a holistic understanding of how we operate at scale. We believe in learning by doing, supported by a formalised training budget for professional certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect or Certified Kubernetes Administrator.
You will be fully supported by an experienced line manager and paired with a senior mentor from our Principal Engineering community. Your mentor will provide guidance on your career trajectory, technical upskilling, and navigating the nuances of a large-scale media organisation. We also offer a dedicated ‘graduate buddy’ who will assist your integration into the team, ensuring that you feel supported, valued, and empowered to contribute from day one.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,000 per annum.
- Annual performance-based bonus scheme.
- Generous BBC pension scheme with significant employer contribution matches.
- 26 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, with an option to purchase additional days.
- Comprehensive private healthcare and access to mental health and wellbeing support services.
- Hybrid working allowance to support your home office setup.
- Relocation assistance for graduates moving to London from other parts of the UK.
- Access to the BBC Academy for continuous learning, training modules, and internal networking events.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application: Submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your motivation for joining the BBC.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: A series of interactive assessments designed to evaluate your problem-solving style and alignment with BBC values.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A pre-recorded session answering structured questions about your technical interests and behavioural preferences.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: The final stage includes a group exercise, a competency interview, and a short technical presentation on a topic of your choice.
We operate on a rolling basis; please submit your application as early as possible to secure your place in our upcoming assessment cohorts.