Software Engineer

The Bbc; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public service broadcaster in the UK is seeking a backend-leaning full-stack software engineer to transform the Allocate system. This role emphasizes strong PHP skills and relational database design, with opportunities for career progression and a flexible working environment. Benefits include a negotiable salary, training opportunities, and 25 days annual leave.

Benefits

Negotiable salary package

Flexible 35-hour work week

25 days annual leave

Defined pension scheme

Discounted dental, health care, and gym memberships

Qualifications

• Excellent PHP skills are essential.
• Experience designing and optimising relational database systems is crucial.
• Strong communication skills are required for collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with third-party team for development.
• Map data flows and optimised slow SQL queries.
• Lead development activities and review code.

Skills

PHP skills

Relational database design

HTML/CSS/JavaScript

Communication skills

Troubleshooting and problem-solving

Tools

Microsoft SQL Server

jQuery

React

Node.js

AWS

Job description

Overview

As a backend-leaning full-stack software engineer working on Allocate, you will help transform the Allocate system by mapping key data flows, understanding database structures, documenting, and making pragmatic suggestions to improve the codebase. We value how we work and expect alignment with our values and behaviours. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We support flexible working where possible and encourage discussions about it during the application process.

Allocate is a mature system using vanilla PHP with extensive PHP experience essential. It uses Microsoft SQL Server and jQuery, so familiarity with these technologies is desirable. The role offers opportunities to contribute to other CDA projects and to develop towards a senior position through leading development, code reviews, setting standards, optimising code, and organising work. Some experience or willingness to learn other technologies such as React, Node.js and AWS is a bonus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a third‑party engineering team to develop Allocate.
• Map data flows and understand database relationships; optimise slow SQL queries.
• Update the codebase to modern PHP versions and establish and maintain coding standards.
• Lead development activities, review code, set standards, and organise/prioritise work.
• Untangle database relationships and contribute to improving system performance and reliability.
• Contribute to other exciting CDA projects as opportunities arise.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure alignment and quality.

Qualifications

• Excellent PHP skills.
• Excellent experience designing and optimising relational database systems.
• Familiarity with frontend technologies such as HTML, CSS & JavaScript.
• Experience leading large/complex projects.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with software development methodologies (e.g., pairing, code reviews, agile planning, continuous delivery).
• Desirable: experience identifying and fixing accessibility issues, jQuery experience, experience managing or working on legacy systems, data flow modelling, and skills in React, Node.js & AWS.

About Corporate Digital & Applications (CDA)

CDA is a high‑performing department that builds internal applications to serve BBC colleagues. We look after the BBC's intranet, internal mobile applications, public‑facing corporate sites, and dozens of internal bespoke web applications. Most BBC users interact with our systems weekly, and our audience‑facing sites receive millions of views monthly.

Benefits and Working Arrangements

We are happy to discuss flexible working. If you wish to discuss this, please indicate your preference during the application process. There is no obligation to raise it at the application stage. The BBC offers excellent career progression and unrivalled training and development opportunities through the in‑house Academy. Benefits include a negotiable salary package, a flexible 35‑hour working week for work‑life balance, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme, and discounted dental, health care, and gym memberships.