About the Company & Graduate Programme
The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster, with an unparalleled footprint in digital innovation. Our platforms, including iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and our vast News digital infrastructure, serve millions of users daily, requiring high-scale, resilient, and cutting-edge engineering solutions. We operate at the intersection of creative storytelling and complex systems architecture, making us a unique environment for technology graduates to hone their skills. We are looking for the next generation of engineers to help us redefine how the UK consumes content in an increasingly personalised digital landscape.
Our Graduate Programme is the cornerstone of our commitment to early careers. We recognise that the digital media landscape evolves rapidly, which is why we invest heavily in structured mentorship, technical upskilling, and inclusive leadership development. As a member of our cohort, you will not be a passive observer; you will be an integral contributor to the teams powering the BBC’s digital transformation. From cloud-native infrastructure to AI-driven recommendation engines, you will gain exposure to technologies that impact the lives of citizens across the nation and beyond.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Participate in 18-24 months of rotational placements across key product teams including iPlayer, News Labs, and Personalisation.
- Contribute to the full software development lifecycle (SDLC), writing clean, maintainable code using languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript/TypeScript.
- Build and manage scalable cloud infrastructure on AWS, implementing CI/CD pipelines to ensure rapid, secure deployment of new features.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including UX designers, data scientists, and product managers to deliver user-centric digital experiences.
- Engage in peer code reviews, contributing to our culture of high-quality software engineering and engineering excellence.
- Participate in agile ceremonies (sprints, stand-ups, retrospectives) to plan and deliver iterative project milestones.
- Engage with senior stakeholders to demonstrate project progress and present technical solutions to non-technical audiences.
- Explore emerging technologies through 'Innovation Time', prototyping new features that could define the next generation of BBC products.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related STEM discipline (or equivalent professional experience).
- Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (predicted or achieved) from a recognised university.
- A deep curiosity for software engineering, cloud architecture, and the impact of digital media on society.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset with the ability to break down complex requirements into actionable technical tasks.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to teamwork within a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Willingness to learn new frameworks, tools, and paradigms; we value potential and a 'growth mindset' over perfect technical knowledge.
- Proficiency in at least one object-oriented or functional programming language.
- Must have the legal right to work in the UK without sponsorship restrictions (for the Graduate Route visa, please ensure eligibility criteria are met).
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
The programme is structured as a series of rotations, designed to provide you with a 360-degree view of how the BBC builds and operates at scale. You will rotate every six months, gaining hands-on exposure to different domains, from front-end consumer applications to back-end distributed systems. This holistic approach ensures you graduate as a well-rounded engineer, ready to tackle any technical challenge. You will also have dedicated study time to pursue industry-recognised certifications, such as AWS Solutions Architect or Certified Kubernetes Administrator, fully funded by the BBC.
We pride ourselves on our mentorship culture. Upon joining, you will be paired with a dedicated 'buddy'—a former graduate who can help you navigate life at the BBC—and a senior mentor from the engineering leadership team to provide long-term career guidance. We hold regular 'lunch and learn' sessions, internal hackathons, and technical workshops to ensure you are constantly developing your craft, ensuring that when you finish the scheme, you are perfectly positioned for a permanent role within our engineering organisation.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,500 per annum, with reviews throughout the programme.
- £2,000 sign-on bonus upon successful completion of onboarding.
- Generous pension scheme (BBC match up to 10%).
- 26 days annual leave, plus public holidays and an additional day for your birthday.
- Private medical insurance and a range of mental health and wellbeing support services.
- Flexible hybrid working policy with an allowance for remote working setups.
- Access to the BBC Academy for continuous learning and development courses.
- Cycle-to-work scheme, season ticket loans, and employee discounts on technology and leisure.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application: Submit your CV and a cover letter detailing why you want to work at the BBC.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: These tests assess your cognitive abilities and how you approach professional challenges at the BBC.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A chance for you to showcase your motivations, interests, and how you align with the BBC’s core values.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: The final stage involves a technical case study and a group exercise with our engineering leaders. We recommend early submission, as applications are processed on a rolling basis and popular roles close once filled.