Lead Software Engineer

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., This role sits within the Technology & Digital organization for Disney Experiences and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams across the company. The Lead Software Engineer will report to the Sr Manager, Technology., We are seeking a visionary Lead Software Engineer to drive the development of scalable, intelligent systems that support licensing financial operations and AI-driven decision-making. This role will be instrumental in shaping the architecture and delivery of next-generation platforms that power financial licensing workflows and predictive analytics.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of software solutions for licensing financial systems and AI-powered applications.
• Architect and implement scalable services that integrate with internal and third-party financial platforms.
• Collaborate with product, finance, and data science teams to define system requirements and deliver intelligent automation.
• Apply machine learning and AI techniques to optimize licensing workflows, forecasting, and compliance monitoring.
• Own the full software development lifecycle, including analysis, design, coding, testing, debugging, and documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and technical excellence.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in AI, financial systems, and cloud-native development to inform strategic decisions.

• 7+ years of software engineering experience, including leadership of complex projects.
• Proven experience with financial systems, licensing workflows, or royalty management platforms.
• Hands-on expertise of developing and deploying custom AI solutions using LLMs to automate business processes or improve business outcomes in enterprise environments .
• Excellent programming skills in languages such as Java and Python.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS,GCP) and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Agile development experience and familiarity with CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with licensing systems in media, entertainment, or digital content industries.
• Familiarity with financial compliance standards and audit processes.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Master’s degree in Technology is a plus.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale California is $150,000-$180,000 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.