Staff Software Engineer

Staff (Lead) Software EngineerAt Disney, storytelling is powered by technology. As a Staff (Lead) Software Engineer, you will build the platforms that move our content from production to audience. Join us and contribute to the systems behind some of the most iconic storytelling in the world.We are in search of a Staff (Lead) Software Engineer to help build the next generation of intelligent infrastructure for the Studio Digital Supply Chain.

This role blends expertise in backend software engineering, workflow and AI to design and deliver agentic platforms that support workflows like mastering, localization, and delivery.This is a hands-on senior engineering role that demands strong execution, adaptability, and comfort working at the pace of evolving AI technologies.Key ResponsibilitiesDesign & Build AI Middleware:Design and build API gateways, wrappers, and middleware services that expose studio systems and data to AI agents.Manage secure access to tools, metadata, and content systems through model context protocol (MCP).Standardize how agents' interface with internal services across the supply chain.Build Agentic Workflows:Deploy agentic platforms such as LangGraph or LangChain to manage tool execution, context routing, and decision logic.Implement tracing, audit logging, and governance checkpoints including human approval and fallback paths.Integrate orchestration into media workflows such as mastering, localization, and delivery.Productize and Optimize AI Services:Translate prototypes into production-ready microservices using Java, TypeScript, or Python, deployed via Kubernetes and managed through CI/CD pipelines.Implement event-driven services using Kafka, EventBridge, or SNS/SQS to support loosely coupled, fault-tolerant communication across services.Build and maintain APIs with clear contracts, emphasizing reliability, observability, and long-term maintainability.Lead, Collaborate, and Mentor:Work directly with ML engineers, platform teams, and product managers to deliver business-ready AI capabilities.Contribute to technical planning, system design, and delivery reviews across engineering and product.Mentor team members and stay current on emerging trends in LLM tooling, orchestration, and agent frameworks.Basic Qualifications:Bachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field or equivalent years of related work experience7+ years of backend or systems engineering experience, with at least 2 years building AI-powered or workflow-centric platforms.Proficient in Java, Python, or Node.js, with deep understanding of testing, observability, and systems at scale.Production experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, and container orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes.Hands-on experience deploying infrastructure via Terraform, CDK, or similar infrastructure-as-code frameworks.Experience building or integrating workflow engines, ideally in LLM or GenAI contexts.Clear, structured communication skills and a track record of technical leadership in cross-functional teams.Preferred Qualifications:Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field.Experience with LLM frameworks and APIs such as LangGraph, LangChain, OpenAI, or Anthropic.Background in media, entertainment, or content operations, including localization or post-production workflows.Experience building multi-tenant or shared platform services.Exposure to Agile delivery practices and DevOps automation at scale.Contributions to GenAI open-source projects or internal AI/ML infrastructure tooling.PAY TRANSPARENCYThe hiring range for this position in Glendale CA is $158,100.00 to $211,900.00 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.This position is with Walt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Studios.Walt Disney Pictures is an equal opportunity employer.

Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 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.The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. 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, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs.