Data Engineer

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The BBC is reinventing itself for a new generation-delivering world-class creativity, global reach, and public value. The World Service supports international journalism across over 40 languages and markets. Our team is adding to a scalable data warehouse to unify diverse data sources-from audience analytics to editorial metadata-and enable smarter, data-driven decisions across the organisation. As a Data Engineer, you'll be part of a multi-disciplinary agile team working alongside analysts and data scientists, in a team with audience researchers. You'll help design and build data pipelines, contribute to infrastructure, and support the delivery of high-quality, resilient data systems that empower global storytelling.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Join our team which supports global journalism across more than 40 languages. You'll work with diverse datasets that reflect the complexity of the real world, while growing your skills in a supportive, international environment. Together, we build infrastructure that empowers journalists and informs millions worldwide.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Build and maintain scalable ETL pipelines using Python and SQL.
• Work with Amazon Redshift to design and optimise our data warehouse.
• Translate stakeholder requirements into technical solutions.
• Test and validate data workflows to ensure quality and reliability.
• Collaborate across disciplines to create value with data.
• Contribute to a culture of learning, adaptability, and best practices.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Hands-on experience with Redshift, Python, and SQL.
• Educational background in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related field.
• Exposure to data warehouse projects, including schema design and data modelling.
• Familiarity with ETL/ELT workflows and data quality testing.
• Strong team collaboration and a proactive learning mindset.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Hands-on experience with Redshift, Python & SQL - practical experience with Amazon Redshift for data warehousing tasks; Python scripting and automation; solid SQL.
• Educational background in a relevant field - degree or equivalent training in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline.
• Exposure to data warehouse projects - contributed to design, implementation, or maintenance; understanding of dimensional modelling, schema design, and data partitioning.
• Experience with ETL pipelines and data quality testing - building or maintaining ETL/ELT workflows; testing data pipelines for accuracy and performance, with data validation.
• Strong team collaboration and learning mindset - eager to learn new tools; good communication and collaboration.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED

• Media or broadcast experience.
• Experience with Airflow or other orchestration tools.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Knowledge of data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Looker).
• Contributions to open-source projects or a personal GitHub portfolio.

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description states the essential characteristics of the job and its principal accountabilities, and notes the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all duties involved.

Please note: If you were offered this role, the BBC will conduct employment screening checks, including reference checks, eligibility to work checks, and, if applicable, safeguarding and adverse media checks. Any offer is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC, and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants.

Information at a Glance

This is your BBC

At the BBC you can create and innovate in an inclusive environment while contributing to some of the world's best loved content, and the BBC's mission to inform, educate and entertain.

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.

Benefits may vary if you are joining on an FTC basis.

Learn more about life at the BBC and our values in our candidate pack.

You belong

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.

Find out more about diversity, inclusion and belonging in our strategy.

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us with the following email:

BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: , registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.