About the Company & Graduate Programme
The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster, an institution defined by its commitment to impartiality, creativity, and technological excellence. Within the Digital Media & Platform Engineering division, we are responsible for the systems that power the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and our global news infrastructure. Our work reaches millions of users daily, requiring high-availability systems, resilient cloud architecture, and constant innovation to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
This graduate intake is pivotal to our ongoing digital transformation. As a Graduate Software Engineer, you will join a high-performing team that values inclusivity, curiosity, and technical rigour. We provide an environment where early-career professionals contribute to real-world products from day one, helping to shape the future of how the world consumes media. By joining us, you are not just starting a job; you are becoming a custodian of a cultural icon that prioritizes public value alongside bleeding-edge technology.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Engage in full-stack software development using modern languages and frameworks such as Node.js, Go, or Java to build scalable media streaming services.
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary agile squads to deliver features that enhance user experience across web, mobile, and connected TV platforms.
- Gain hands-on experience in cloud infrastructure, deploying and managing services via AWS, focusing on microservices architecture and serverless computing.
- Participate in code reviews, technical design discussions, and sprint ceremonies to ensure high-quality software output and team alignment.
- Engage with senior stakeholders and product managers to translate complex business requirements into elegant, robust technical solutions.
- Utilize CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks to ensure the reliability and security of our digital platforms.
- Contribute to internal hackathons and 'innovation days' to explore emerging technologies like machine learning, edge computing, and real-time data streaming.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or any STEM discipline with a strong logical/coding component.
- Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (predicted or achieved) from an accredited university.
- Demonstrable passion for software engineering, evidenced through personal projects, GitHub repositories, or placement experience.
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to break down complex problems into manageable, technical tasks.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a diverse, agile team environment.
- A proactive learner who stays current with industry trends, frameworks, and best practices in software architecture.
- Must possess the legal right to work in the UK without restriction; we support eligible candidates through the Graduate Route visa or sponsorship where applicable.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
Our 24-month programme is structured around four 6-month rotations, ensuring you gain a comprehensive view of the BBC’s engineering stack. You will rotate through areas such as Platform Infrastructure, Content Delivery, Personalisation Services, and Security Engineering. This structure allows you to build a broad technical foundation before choosing a path that aligns with your professional interests.
Development is supported by a dedicated 'Engineering Academy' which provides formal training on cloud certification (AWS), TDD (Test Driven Development), and broadcast-specific technologies. Each graduate is paired with a technical mentor and a peer buddy from a previous cohort, providing you with a robust support network that spans both professional development and pastoral care throughout your transition from university to industry.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,500 per annum, with annual inflation-linked reviews.
- Performance-related annual bonus scheme based on individual and corporate objectives.
- Generous pension scheme with employer matching up to 10%.
- 26 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and the option to buy/sell extra days.
- Comprehensive private healthcare, dental insurance, and access to internal wellbeing and mental health support resources.
- Hybrid working allowance to support your home office setup, alongside travel-to-work loans and cycle-to-work schemes.
- Access to exclusive internal learning platforms, LinkedIn Learning subscriptions, and conferences.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application & CV: Submit your application via our portal. We review applications on a rolling basis, so early submission is strongly encouraged.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: These assessments help us identify your problem-solving style and values alignment.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A pre-recorded session where you will answer scenario-based questions to demonstrate your motivation and soft skills.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: The final stage involving a technical case study, a live coding challenge, and a 1-to-1 interview with senior engineering leadership.