Job Description

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Principle System Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 35037
Job Closing Date: 21 December 2025
London, GBR, W1A 1AA
JOB DETAILS
JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time.
DEPARTMENT: HIPE
LOCATION: London - Hybrid
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: 56,700 - 66,700 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application - though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
To lead the development and delivery of infrastructure automation and analytics solutions that enhance operational efficiency across BBC platforms. The role focuses on building resilient, scalable systems using modern DevOps practices, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
WHY JOIN THE TEAM
Join a forward-thinking Automation & Analytics team that's transforming how BBC operates behind the scenes. You'll work on high-impact initiatives-from patch orchestration to real-time reporting-using cutting-edge tools and cloud-native technologies. We foster a culture of experimentation, ownership, and technical excellence.
YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

• Define and own the automation and analytics roadmap for infrastructure services.
• Lead design and delivery of automation frameworks supporting IaaS, server support, DBA, and other BBC teams.
• Ensure alignment with BBC enterprise architecture and technology strategy.
• Plan, design, integrate, and test automation solutions for VM lifecycle, containerisation, and infrastructure orchestration.
• Oversee acceptance testing of new installations, ensuring documentation and test logs are maintained.
• Partner with vendors and suppliers to deliver robust, scalable solutions.
• Provide technical advice across projects and products, shaping automation and analytics solutions.
• Collaborate with product managers, developers, engineers, and operations teams to identify use cases and deliver efficiencies.
• Communicate strategy, plans, and progress to stakeholders, tailoring messages to diverse audiences.
• Introduce emerging technologies (e.g., Kubernetes, Terraform, Grafana, VMware Aria Ops) to improve automation and analytics capabilities.
• Lead retrospectives and continuous improvement initiatives to refine delivery processes.
• Drive Infrastructure-as-Code adoption across teams, reducing manual operations.
• Mentor, coach, and manage senior developers and engineers within the Automation & Analytics team.
• Champion collaboration, psychological safety, and inclusive team practices.
• Contribute to recruitment, development, and performance management of team members.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Proven experience designing and implementing Infrastructure as Code solutions using Terraform, Ansible/AAP/AWX, Packer, Jenkins, Git.
• Deep knowledge of VMware ESXi/vCenter/NSX, OpenShift Virtualisation, KVM, Nutanix, and hypervisor lifecycle management.
• Expertise in Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift administration, orchestration, and scaling.
• Proficiency in Python, PowerShell, YAML, with familiarity in Java/JavaScript for automation tooling.
• Experience with analytics dashboards and reporting tools (Grafana, Tableau, VMware Aria Ops).

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Experience representing BBC in external working groups or with suppliers.
• Knowledge of broadcast/datacentre infrastructure installations (power, environment, space layout).
• Familiarity with cloud computing disciplines (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, NaaS).
• Experience managing third-party service delivery.
• Exposure to AWS, Azure, or GCP.

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 is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.
Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.
For any general queries, please contact:
Redeployment
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. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.
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 or on an orchestra conditions contract.
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 below.
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 via email and we'd be happy to discuss:
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BBC Group and Public Services, Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, United Kingdom, W1A 1AA. BBC Studios Distribution Limited, company no: 01420028, registered address: 1 Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, London, United Kingdom W12 7FA.
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