Staff Software Engineer at The Walt Disney Company

Glendale, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Media, EntertainmentIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field
7+ years of experience building distributed, cloud-native backend systems
Hands-on experience integrating AI/ML tools, LLMs, or decision engines into workflow-driven systems
Strong foundation in cloud platforms (especially AWS), event-driven architecture, and infrastructure automation
Strong proficiency in Java, Python, or Node.js
Deep knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), CI/CD pipelines, and system observability
Exceptional communication and technical leadership skills
Preferred
Prior experience in Media or Entertainment, particularly studio/post-production workflows
Experience building shared platforms or multi-tenant environments
Hands-on experience with machine learning systems, pipelines, or model integration in production environments
Familiarity with Agile and DevOps methodologies

Responsibilities

Design AI-Augmented Workflows: Lead the development of systems that exhibit agentic behavior using AI/ML technologies. Integrate tools such as large language models (LLMs), decision engines, and semantic search. Enable intelligent, adaptive processing within complex workflow environments
Workflow Orchestration & Automation: Create deterministic workflows using state machines or rules engines. Design hybrid patterns that blend structured logic with adaptive capabilities. Enable flexible execution of both predictable and dynamic processes
Architecture & Scalability: Build modular, distributed system architectures. Optimize for high-throughput, long-running, and stateful tasks. Support human-in-the-loop processing in complex studio workflows
Event-Driven Development: Develop services that use event-driven communication patterns. Leverage Kafka, EventBridge, or SNS/SQS for messaging and orchestration. Ensure resilience and loose coupling between distributed components
API & Microservices Engineering: Build performant APIs and microservices in Java, Python, or Node.js. Design for cloud-native environments and deployment flexibility. Emphasize reliability, maintainability, and clear service boundaries
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with product, program, and ML stakeholders. Translate business and creative requirements into scalable systems. Align diverse teams around shared architecture and delivery goals
Mentorship & Best Practices: Guide engineers through architecture and code reviews. Provide mentorship on system design and software quality. Foster innovation and technical excellence across the team

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Distributed SystemsCloud-NativeEvent-Driven ArchitectureAI/MLLarge Language ModelsState MachinesRules EnginesSemantic SearchWorkflow Orchestration

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

Is this a remote position?

This is not a remote role. You must be local or open to relocation.

What programming languages are used in this role?

The role involves building performant APIs and microservices in Java, Python, or Node.js.

What are the key technical skills required for this position?

Candidates need deep experience in distributed systems, cloud platforms, event-driven development using Kafka/EventBridge/SNS/SQS, and AI/ML integration including large language models.

What does the team collaboration look like?

The role involves cross-functional collaboration with product, program, and ML stakeholders, as well as mentorship and guiding engineers through architecture and code reviews.

What education is required for this role?

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field is required.