Staff Software Engineer (Emerging Tech & AI Automation) Project Hire

Staff Software Engineer (Emerging Tech & AI Automation) Project Hire Job ID: 10141853 Location: Burbank, CA / Orlando, FL / Seattle, WA Business: The Walt Disney Company (Corporate) Date Posted: May 12, 2026 Job Summary: At Disney, we’re storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a world-class entertainment and technological leader. Our Enterprise Technology mission is to deliver technology solutions that align with business strategies while enabling enterprise efficiency and promoting cross‑company collaborative innovation. The Emerging Technologies and AI Automation team focuses on amplifying business impact through innovation, driving measurable improvements in productivity, agility and employee satisfaction by automating the mundane and streamlining workflows. We are seeking a hands‑on Staff Software Engineer to drive high‑impact initiatives at the forefront of emerging technologies. In this role you’ll lead rapid prototyping efforts, build scalable proofs‑of‑concept, and shape the technical foundation that accelerates enterprise‑wide transformation. What You’ll Do: Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies by translating insights into impactful blog posts, workshops, demos, and talks. Explore and validate new ideas through hands‑on experimentation, tinkering, and rapid prototyping. Tackle complex problems using a first‑principles mindset and a natural inclination toward simple, elegant solutions. Communicate effectively, translating complex ideas into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non‑technical audiences. Mentor and partner with other engineers to share best practices, amplify impact, and accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. Responsibilities: Build thin, end‑to‑end implementations that evaluate the feasibility of emerging technologies and early prototypes. Embrace rapid iteration—prioritizing speed and learning to deliver minimum lovable products that evolve through continuous feedback. Support project planning and execution, helping prioritize work, communicate with stakeholders, and ensure timely delivery of high‑quality code. Collaborate with engineers and business partners to align priorities, define goals, and deliver impactful outcomes. Continuously refine engineering practices and champion improvements that elevate team performance and product excellence. Required Qualifications & Skills: 7+ years of full‑stack software engineering experience with strong coding skill in Python, TypeScript, Node.js, Go, or similar. Proven ability to write clear, concise technical documentation and create professional system architecture diagrams (Lucidchart, Mermaid, PlantUML). Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), microservices architecture, CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and A/B testing. Proficiency with AI/ML development tools and experience integrating LLM‑based APIs, AI agents, or prompt‑based workflows. Experience with large‑scale databases (SQL/NoSQL, Object, Graph). Passion for innovation, emerging technologies, and continuous improvement. Expertise in systems architecture, platform thinking, and technical leadership. Ability to navigate conflict, build trust, and foster alignment across cross‑functional teams. Experience with agile methodologies such as Scrum or Kanban. Additional Qualifications: Passion for Disney’s mission and values. AWS, GCP, or Azure certification. Experience with emerging technologies. Track record of success in automation and developer productivity initiatives. Experience building prototypes or experimental software in ambiguous or early‑stage environments. Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Software, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, or comparable field of study. This is an estimated 24‑month project hire position with no guarantee of permanent placement. The hiring range for this position is $155,700 to $208,700 per year in Burbank, CA; $148,300 to $198,800 per year in Orlando, FL; and $163,100 to $218,700 per year in Seattle, WA. The base pay will be based on internal equity and may vary by geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided along with a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits. Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. 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, 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 stay relevant in a constantly evolving world. Disability Accommodation For Employment Applications: If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email View email address on click.appcast.io with your request. #J-18808-Ljbffr