At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of innovative graphics systems for live broadcasts and automation.
- Company: Join the BBC's dynamic Graphics & Automation team, shaping iconic media experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique contributions and supports your growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on broadcasting while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in software development, especially with React, TypeScript, and Java.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
Join the BBC's Graphics & Automation team as a Principal Software Engineer, shaping the systems and services that power the BBC's real-time and post-production graphics for News, Sport, iPlayer, Sounds, Streams and more, as well as studio and gallery automation systems that drive hundreds of hours of live output every day. You will lead technical direction across the software development team, ensuring graphics scenes can be hosted, managed and controlled at scale both on-premises and in the cloud, and play a key role in evolving the platforms that deliver the BBC's iconic brand across daily live broadcasts, large scale events, and social media.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
You'll be working at the heart of a brilliant team with a passion for broadcast and graphics, at a time where we're delivering huge value to the BBC by transitioning the graphics estate to an in-house HTML based solution, GSAAS (Graphics Scenes As A Service). The team is spread across the country and offers plenty of opportunity to visit our studios and galleries as we integrate our software with automation solutions and newsroom systems. We also support operators in key large-scale events such as elections, where our graphics systems deal with the ingest of data and the control of driving data-driven graphics to air.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT
- Provide technical leadership across the Graphics & Automation team
- Shape architecture and guide long-term technical direction across Graphics & Automation
- Drive engineering excellence, including observability, reliability and operational practices
- Collaborate with Product, Engineering and Architecture to align technical and product priorities
- Strong experience writing front-end applications using React + TypeScript, microservices with Node.js + TypeScript, or back-end applications with Java
- Experience using or integrating with one or more broadcast graphics system such as Viz Artist / Viz Engine, Ross XPression or CasparCG
- Experience using or integrating with one or more studio automation system such as Sofie, Viz Mosart, or Ross Overdrive
- Experience building broadcast graphics with HTML and CSS
- Experience using Kubernetes and managing deployments of services on Kubernetes clusters using Helm
DESIRABLE
- Experience influencing technical direction and engineering practices across development teams
- Proven ability to collaborate across teams and influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Experience of CI/CD workflows using GitHub Actions
- Experience of deploying to the cloud, particularly EKS
Location: BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA.
LIFE AT BBC
Here you will benefit from: Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym. Excellent career and professional development. Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer. A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, so all our employees feel that they can belong, thrive and achieve their full potential. We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to join us. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity. We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.
Principal Software Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: BBC Studios Distribution Limited
The BBC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the forefront of broadcast technology in London. With a commitment to fair pay, flexible benefits, and a strong focus on career development, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to iconic projects that reach millions. The inclusive culture fosters diversity and collaboration, ensuring that every team member's unique contributions are valued and celebrated.
Contact Details:
BBC Studios Distribution Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at BBC Studios Distribution Limited or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to BBC Studios Distribution Limited.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like BBC Studios Distribution Limited.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like BBC Studios Distribution Limited that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at BBC Studios Distribution Limited.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at BBC Studios Distribution Limited and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at BBC Studios Distribution Limited
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If BBC Studios Distribution Limited uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
