About the Company & Graduate Programme
The BBC is the world’s leading public service broadcaster, with a digital footprint that touches the lives of millions every single day. From the infrastructure powering BBC iPlayer to the complex data pipelines supporting BBC News, our technology teams are at the forefront of digital innovation. We are committed to fostering a culture of technical excellence, creativity, and public service, ensuring our platforms remain reliable, accessible, and scalable in an increasingly competitive global media landscape.
Our Graduate Programme is designed to cultivate the next generation of engineering leaders. By joining us, you are not just a graduate trainee; you are an integral part of a team building software that powers the nation’s favourite media services. We provide an environment where innovation is celebrated, and early careers are nurtured through rigorous practical experience, exposure to massive-scale systems, and a commitment to continuous professional development within the heart of London’s vibrant tech ecosystem.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate within agile, cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy high-performance software features for BBC platforms.
- Engage in rotational placements across diverse technical areas, including Cloud Infrastructure, Media Streaming, Personalisation Engines, and Data Engineering.
- Write clean, testable, and efficient code using modern languages such as Java, Python, JavaScript (Node.js/React), or Go, depending on your project team.
- Work on CI/CD pipelines and contribute to our cloud-native infrastructure, primarily utilising AWS technologies to ensure 99.99% service availability.
- Participate in full-stack project delivery, from initial system architecture workshops to production monitoring and incident response.
- Collaborate closely with senior engineers, product managers, and UX designers to transform complex user requirements into elegant technical solutions.
- Contribute to open-source initiatives and internal engineering guilds, sharing knowledge and advocating for best practices across the engineering community.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
- Minimum 2:1 degree classification (or predicted) is preferred, though we focus on your ability to demonstrate technical proficiency and potential.
- Strong foundational knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles.
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a passion for learning new technologies in a fast-paced environment.
- Evidence of collaborative teamwork, whether through university projects, hackathons, or previous internships.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of explaining technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme (we provide comprehensive support for Graduate Route visa holders).
- A genuine curiosity about the future of digital media and how technology can better serve a diverse public audience.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
The 24-month programme is structured to provide breadth and depth. Over two years, you will undertake four six-month rotations, allowing you to gain deep exposure to different facets of our digital stack, from core platform services to client-facing applications. This rotational structure ensures you graduate with a holistic understanding of how large-scale digital organisations operate, giving you the flexibility to carve out a long-term specialisation that aligns with your professional interests.
Support is baked into your experience from day one. Every graduate is paired with a dedicated ‘buddy’—a recent programme alumnus—and a senior mentor who provides strategic guidance on your career trajectory and professional growth. We invest heavily in your certifications, covering costs for industry-recognised qualifications in areas such as AWS Cloud Solutions Architecture, Kubernetes administration, or specific language certifications, ensuring you remain at the cutting edge of industry standards.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £35,000 - £38,000 per annum depending on experience and stream.
- Annual performance-related bonus scheme.
- Generous pension scheme with employer contribution matching up to 10%.
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy/sell extra days.
- Private healthcare cover and access to comprehensive mental health and wellbeing support services.
- Flexible hybrid working allowance to cover home office equipment and remote working needs.
- Access to internal training platforms, professional networks, and relocation support packages if moving to London.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application & CV: Submit your application through our careers portal. We practice rolling recruitment, so early applications are strongly encouraged.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: A series of short, engaging online assessments designed to test your logical reasoning and how you approach professional dilemmas.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A chance for us to learn about your motivations, your passion for media technology, and how you approach collaborative problem solving.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: A half-day virtual event featuring a group exercise, a live coding challenge, and a 1-to-1 interview with our engineering leads.