Software Engineering Team Lead

BBC Studios Ltd; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading broadcasting company in the UK is seeking a passionate Software Engineering Team Lead to join its Mobile Experiences team. This role emphasizes people management alongside technical expertise, as you'll lead a team to develop innovative mobile apps like iPlayer and Sounds. Ideal candidates will have experience in native app development and a commitment to quality and user experience. Enjoy a hybrid work environment while shaping experiences that engage millions of users daily.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading successful software engineering teams.
• Track record of developing native mobile apps on Android or iOS.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with product and UX teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of Software Engineers.
• Drive technical direction and decision-making.
• Foster a culture of trust and accountability in the team.

Skills

Team Leadership

Android Development

iOS Development

Agile Project Management

Continuous Integration

Education

Degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

Amazon Web Services

Swift

Kotlin

Job description

Glasgow, GBR, G511DA | London, GBR, W1A 1AA | Salford, MAN, GBR, M50 2QH

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: D

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time

DEPARTMENT: Product Group

LOCATION: London, Glasgow, Salford – Hybrid

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to £85k 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

We're looking for a talented Software Engineering Team Lead to join our Onboarding & Activation Group in the Mobile Experiences team where “we turn audience curiosity into weekly habit”. This role would suit someone who is passionate about native app development as well as people development. If successful, you'll lead a team of Software Engineers (4+) working on the BBC's exciting portfolio of mobile apps, including iPlayer, Sounds, News, Sport and Weather, to develop innovative and engaging new product experiences, and deliver a world class experience to millions of audience members every day.

The ideal candidate would be someone who excels in people management and engagement, balances technical knowledge and experience with coaching and mentoring skills, values communication and collaborative approaches in finding the best solution, is confident to make decisions and drive technical direction, is willing and excited to learn new skills, and to share their knowledge with others. You take pride in delivering quality software, love to experiment with new technologies, and care deeply about user needs and experience. You lead with empathy, clarity and purpose, and you foster a culture of trust, accountability and learning.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for recruiting, managing, leading, setting direction and co-ordinating software development tasks across a variety of initiatives and programmes of work. You will also be responsible for managing, coaching, and mentoring direct line reports by supporting and helping them to develop their strengths and invest in their talents.

We are self-organising and highly collaborative teams of engineers, testers, UX designers, technical architects, and product owners. We build our products following Continuous Delivery practices, with a strong focus on modern development frameworks.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

Early User Journey: Onboarding to Activation. This group focuses on the moments that decide whether a user sticks with BBC mobile apps or disappears after first use. From first encounter through to activation, we shape experiences that build value, trust, and repeat behaviour, reducing early drop-off and setting users up for long-term engagement.

Working in a cross-functional team alongside Product and Design, you will contribute to turning these critical moments into clear, usable journeys that help users form habits quickly and confidently.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

• Leading a team of 4-6 Software Engineers
• Driving the ambition to build an outstanding engineering team and culture
• Mentoring and developing team members and peers to achieve their full potential
• Driving technical direction and decision-making
• Learning new technologies and techniques

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• The ability to lead successful teams of Software Engineers
• Experience of either Android or iOS development with a proven track record of building native mobile apps
• The ability to work collaboratively with cross discipline peers such as Product and UX and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical colleagues at all levels
• Experience with Continuous Integration/Deployment in mobile apps
• Experience with Agile/Scrum project management methodologies

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:

• Degree in Computer Science or equivalent
• Knowledge of Amazon Web Services
• Proficiency in Swift or Kotlin

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.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Contracts of Employment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

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. 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 checks. Any offer made 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.

Find out more about the BBC and Life at BBC by reviewing the candidate pack.

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 subject: reasonable adjustments.

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.