At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop tech solutions to enhance cinema experiences and streamline operations.
- Company: Join ODEON Cinemas Group, a leader in entertainment innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, unlimited cinema tickets, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture; everyone is welcome!
- Why this job: Make a real impact with AI and cloud technologies in a fun, dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in a STEM field and foundational programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
As Graduate Application Engineer you'll support the design, development and delivery of technology solutions across ODEON Cinemas Group, with a particular focus on platforms and tools, application development, process automation and AI. This is a hands‑on role that will contribute directly to building intelligent solutions that improve the guest experience, streamline operations and drive commercial value. The successful candidate will work across multiple projects and disciplines, gaining broad exposure to modern cloud platforms, AI frameworks and agile development practices.
Key Accountabilities
- Application Development — Design, build and maintain applications that support cinema operations, guest‑facing services and internal tools, using AI tools, modern development frameworks and cloud‑native practices.
- AI & Intelligent Automation — Develop and deploy business solutions using Odeon approved AI tools and platforms, including AI agents and automation, that address real business challenges across Marketing, Operations, Film and Finance.
- Process Automation — Identify opportunities to automate manual workflows and repetitive tasks using low‑code/no‑code platforms (e.g. Azure function apps, Copilot Studio) and custom scripting to improve efficiency and reduce operational overhead.
- Integration & Engineering — Support the development and maintenance of APIs, data integrations and cloud services that connect ODEON's core platforms (Vista, Databricks, Azure), ensuring reliability, scalability and security.
- Testing & Quality — Write and maintain automated tests, contribute to CI/CD pipelines, and follow engineering best practices to ensure solutions are robust, well‑documented and production‑ready.
- Collaboration & Learning — Work closely with colleagues across IT, Data Engineering, Analytics and business teams to understand requirements, share knowledge and continuously develop technical and professional skills.
- Innovation & Horizon Scanning — Stay current with emerging technologies, AI frameworks and industry trends, proactively bringing ideas for how new tools and approaches could benefit ODEON.
Key Skills:
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI, or a related STEM discipline
- Foundational programming skills in one or more of: Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#
- Awareness of AI/ML concepts — e.g. large language models, prompt engineering, RAG patterns, or basic model training
- Self‑starter with a genuine curiosity for technology and a passion for continuous learning
- Understanding of cloud platforms, ideally Microsoft Azure (or AWS/GCP)
- Familiarity with version control (Git) and agile development practices
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with keen attention to detail
- Excellent communication skills — able to explain technical concepts clearly to non‑technical colleagues
Desirable
- Experience with web/mobile app development frameworks (e.g. React, .NET, Flutter)
- Exposure to data engineering tools — SQL, Databricks, Azure Data Factory
- Experience with low‑code/no‑code platforms (Power Platform, Copilot Studio)
- Familiarity with API design and integration patterns (REST, GraphQL)
- Personal projects, hackathons, or open‑source contributions demonstrating initiative
- Interest in the entertainment, cinema or hospitality industry
ODEON benefits
- Bonus Scheme
- Pension Scheme
- Hybrid working (2-3 days per week in the office)
- Unlimited free cinema tickets for you, and 12 friends and family tickets every three months
- 40% discount on our food and drinks, including our in‑cinema Costa Coffee stores
- Private Medical Insurance
- Critical Illness Cover
- Life Assurance
- Free access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme – an online platform that offers advice and support on topics including finance, health, and mental wellbeing
- The opportunity to gain professional qualifications through our Bright Lights Apprenticeship scheme
- Fantastic career development opportunities across our cinemas and support offices
At ODEON Cinemas Group, everyone is welcome. We make movies better by bringing all our incredible differences and our different ways of thinking together with our passion for cinema, to deliver inspiring entertainment experiences for our guests. We are all individuals, and we recognise that everyone brings something special to our team. Starting from the moment you apply, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is embedded into all parts of the colleague journey, and we welcome individuals from all backgrounds. We select colleagues based on merit and the passion they show for their role.
We are proud to partner with 'ReciteMe' to offer accessible tools to support you with your job application. Simply click on 'Accessibility Tools' at the top of the job advert screen. Should you require additional help from our team, whether that's to support with your application through to making adjustments to our recruitment process to assist you, we will be more than happy to help - drop us an email to jointheteam@odeonuk.com and we will be back in touch to help you!
Graduate Application Engineer in Manchester employer: Odeon Cinemas Ltd
At ODEON, we pride ourselves on creating a vibrant and inclusive work environment where every team member plays a crucial role in delivering unforgettable cinema experiences. As a Cinema Experience Manager, you'll lead a passionate team in a fast-paced setting, with opportunities for personal growth through structured development pathways and comprehensive training. Enjoy fantastic perks like free cinema tickets and food discounts while being part of a community that values individuality and belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Application Engineer in Manchester
✨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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd 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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd.
✨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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd.
✨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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd 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 Graduate Application Engineer in Manchester
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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Odeon Cinemas Ltd 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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd
✨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 Odeon Cinemas Ltd 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.
