Manager, Software Engineering

Manager, Software Engineering

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a world-class entertainment and technological leader. Walt's passion was to continuously envision new ways to move audiences around the world—a passion that remains our touchstone in an enterprise that stretches from theme parks, resorts and a cruise line to sports, news, movies and a variety of other businesses. Uniting each endeavor is a commitment to creating and delivering unforgettable experiences — and we're constantly looking for new ways to enhance these exciting experiences.

Disney Experiences Technology creates world-class immersive experiences for Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and beyond. As the Manager of Technology for Site Specific Apps, you will lead the software delivery and product teams responsible for the critical "engines" of our operation. Your portfolio includes a diverse array of specialized applications—from Textile Operations and Animal Services to the Disney College Program applications.

We are looking for a leader who pairs deep software engineering rigor with a visionary approach to Artificial Intelligence. You won't just implement AI in the products; you will revolutionize the way we build them—leveraging AI to gain quality and efficiency throughout the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

What you will do:

• Engineering Excellence: Drive high standards across software engineering, ensuring security, reliability, monitoring, cost awareness, service level agreements, and responsible usage across apps and platforms. Partner with infrastructure, security, accessibility, and vendor sustainment teams to ensure systems are production-ready, compliant, scalable, and resilient.
• Technical Leadership & Architecture: Act as a technical leader for your portfolio, shaping application architecture, integration patterns, and engineering best practices while remaining close enough to the work to ensure engineering rigor.
• Team Leadership: Direct a team of software engineers and product professionals, fostering a "people-first" culture that prioritizes mentorship, and growth.
• AI-Driven SDLC: Implement a vision for "Next-Gen" engineering by integrating GenAI tools into every phase of the lifecycle—from automated requirement gathering and code generation to intelligent testing and deployment.
• Business Operations Technology Delivery: Lead delivery squads in the design and execution of technology solutions that solve real-world operational challenges, ensuring technology always drives measurable business outcomes.
• Roadblock Removal: Act with a relentless bias for action, identifying and removing technical or organizational hurdles to ensure the team remains focused on high-value delivery.
• Financial Management: Accurately forecast and manage the budget for your area, utilizing financial tracking as a primary indicator of project health and delivery velocity.

Who you are:

• Constantly Curious: You are a lifelong learner who is always looking for ways to improve yourself, your team, and the business processes you support.
• Technical Polyglot: You are adept in modern software architecture and stay hands-on enough to ensure the engineering rigor of your team remains elite.
• People-First Leader: You lead through influence and empathy, understanding that "The Magic" starts with a supported and empowered team.
• Optimistic Problem Solver: You have never met a problem you wouldn't attempt to solve. You thrive in complexity and find a path forward where others see dead ends.

What makes this role unique:

• Build and hold vast stakeholder partnerships across various cast operations lines of business, encompassing the full portfolio ranging from Textiles supply chain, Park/Zoo Animal Services, Disney Media Events, and the Disney College Program, to provide end-to-end product experience and ensure data-driven outcomes.
• Direct impact on real-world, on-site operations that power Disney Experiences.
• Opportunity to shape how GenAI is responsibly applied across operational technology.
• High ownership across people, delivery, and technical direction.
• Ability to modernize legacy operational systems while building next-generation capabilities.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• Leadership Experience: 8 years of related work experience, with at least 5 years of experience managing high-performing software delivery or product teams and leading through influence.
• Engineering Rigor: Deep experience in the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), with a proven track record of delivering enterprise-grade applications.
• Financial Acumen: Proven ability to manage budgets and accurately forecast financial needs; ability to use financial data to assess and communicate the health of project delivery.
• AI Visionary: Practical experience or a clear strategic vision for using AI/LLMs to improve code quality, testing automation, and development velocity.
• Business Operations Technology Aptitude: Ability to navigate complex, multi-site business operations and translate them into technology requirements and delivery priorities.
• Vendor & Resource Management: Experience managing a mix of internal Cast members and third-party resources to ensure delivery consistency and quality.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's or foreign equivalent Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, or comparable field of study, and/or equivalent work experience

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $160,000-$190,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney's stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.