About the Company & Graduate Programme
The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster, and behind our iconic programmes sits a cutting-edge digital infrastructure that serves millions of users globally. Our Technology and Product division is responsible for building the platforms that power BBC iPlayer, BBC News, and Sounds, ensuring reliability, scale, and innovation at every touchpoint. We are a culture defined by creativity, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of engineering excellence.
Our Graduate Programme is designed to shape the future of digital broadcasting by embedding early-career talent into high-impact, cross-functional engineering squads. As a Graduate Software Engineer, you are not merely an observer; you are an essential contributor to the codebases that define how the UK consumes content. We provide a pivotal entry point into a unique environment where public service values meet hyper-scale cloud architecture, ensuring you build a career that is both technically challenging and socially impactful.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate within agile squads to design, develop, and maintain robust microservices that support high-traffic web and mobile applications.
- Participate in the full software development lifecycle, from requirements gathering and system architecture to automated testing and deployment.
- Work with modern cloud technologies including AWS, Terraform, and Kubernetes to build scalable, resilient infrastructure.
- Engage in peer code reviews, contributing to a culture of high-quality coding standards and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders and product managers to translate complex user requirements into actionable technical solutions.
- Contribute to our data-driven decision-making processes by analysing performance metrics to optimise application latency and user experience.
- Participate in 'on-call' rotations supported by senior mentors, gaining exposure to real-world incident response and reliability engineering.
- Explore emerging technologies such as Generative AI and machine learning integration to enhance personalised content recommendation engines.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related STEM discipline.
- Predicted or achieved a 2:1 or above at undergraduate level.
- A deep curiosity for software engineering, cloud infrastructure, and a passion for public service broadcasting.
- Demonstrable experience with at least one major programming language (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript, Go, or Scala).
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong collaborative mindset, capable of thriving in diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to demonstrate eligibility to work in the UK for the duration of the programme (we provide full visa sponsorship for international graduates).
- A commitment to lifelong learning and keeping pace with the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
The 24-month programme is structured around four 6-month rotations across different product domains, such as Video, Audio, Personalisation, and Platform Security. This breadth of experience ensures you gain a holistic view of the BBC’s technical ecosystem. You will be fully supported by a dedicated 'Engineering Manager' and a senior 'Buddy' within your assigned squad, ensuring your transition from academia to industry is seamless.
We provide extensive funding and support for formal certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional, and internal leadership development workshops. Regular 'Lunch & Learn' sessions and internal tech conferences provide ample opportunity for you to expand your technical knowledge, build professional networks, and align your personal career aspirations with the strategic goals of the BBC.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,000 per annum.
- Annual performance-related bonus scheme.
- Generous BBC pension scheme with significant employer contribution.
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays and the option to purchase additional days.
- Private medical insurance and a range of mental health and wellbeing support services.
- Hybrid working allowance to support your home office setup.
- Comprehensive relocation assistance for candidates moving to London.
- Access to the BBC Academy for continuous professional development.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application: Submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your passion for the BBC’s digital mission.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: Assessing your analytical logic and alignment with our collaborative culture.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A chance to share your experiences and motivations through a series of structured behavioural questions.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: Participate in a group exercise and present a technical project to a panel of senior engineers. We operate on a rolling basis, so we strongly encourage early submission to secure your place in the cohort.