The Walt Disney Company

Lead Software Engineer

The Walt Disney Company$155K — $208K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS or MS in Computer Science/Engineering or relevant experience
  • 7+ years of software engineering experience
  • Strong foundation in computer science principles
  • Advanced proficiency with Java, including memory management and multi-threading
  • Demonstrable analytical/problem-solving skills
  • Effective communication and collaboration skills
  • Experience with SpringBoot, non-relational databases, and cloud platforms

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a point of contact for stakeholders with a holistic understanding of the team’s domain
  • Lead by example to improve code quality and design implementations
  • Facilitate team discussions to ensure clear communication and resolution of issues
  • Design, implement, and test engineering solutions in a microservices environment
  • Utilize automated tools while adhering to company policies
  • Translate product user stories into actionable tasks for the team
  • Implement metrics and monitoring solutions to enhance system observability
  • Participate in on-call rotations as per the team’s support schedule

Benefits

  • Full range of medical, financial, and other benefits
  • Bonus and/or long-term incentive units available
  • In-office requirement of four days a week promoting collaboration
  • Work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Opportunity to lead and mentor within a growing team
Full Job Description
Job Posting Title:
Lead Software Engineer

Req ID:


Job Description:

Ad Platforms is responsible for Disney's industry-leading ad technology and products - driving advertising performance, innovation, and value in Disney's sports, news, and entertainment content, across all media platforms.

As part of ad platform engineering, the programmatic teams build and maintain Disney's programmatic advertising suite of products and services that comprise Disney's Real-time Ad Exchange (DRAX). DRAX is an award-winning, proprietary SSP that enables the configuration of programmatic deals and integrates programmatic demand from multiple third-party sources into the Disney ad server in real time.

As a Lead Software Engineer, you will apply your deep technical knowledge and skills to help us deliver scalable, performant, maintainable, loosely coupled, encapsulated, and testable software and systems.

Daily, you should bring:
  • A willingness and desire to effectively communicate and collaborate across teams and systems
  • Demonstrated project ownership
  • Guidance and mentorship on system and API design, as well as implementation best practices such as microservice encapsulation and loose coupling
  • A passion for mentoring, learning, and adapting to a very dynamic and fast-paced environment.
  • A proven ability to work with product teams to translate requirements into well-defined technical implementations, as well as the ability to define technical and operational metrics to measure system health
  • A keen eye for potential optimizations and enhancements
  • Kindness and pragmatic optimism
  • A deep understanding of Java and the Software Development Lifecycle.


Responsibilities:
  • Holistic understanding of the team's domain and serving as a point of contact for stakeholders
  • Leading by example, supporting their peers, and striving to improve code and design towards more scalable, clean, and decoupled implementations
  • Facilitate discussions and drive resolution, making sure outcomes are clear and well-communicated
  • Designing, implementing, and testing solutions to various engineering problems in a high-throughput, low-latency microservices environment
  • Understanding and use of automated tools (AI) while adhering to company policy
  • Reading and understanding product user stories, translating them into actionable tasks, and leading the team through their execution
  • Improve system observability by implementing comprehensive metrics, monitoring, and alerting solutions.
  • Available for On-Call rotations based on the team's escalation policy and support schedule


Basic Qualifications:
  • BS or MS in Computer Science / Engineering or relevant work experience.
  • 7+ years of software engineering experience.
  • Strong foundation in computer science principles, including data structures and algorithms.
  • Advanced proficiency with Java, including but not limited to understanding memory management, multi-threading, profiling, thread pools, connection pools, and HTTP protocols.
  • Demonstrable analytical / problem-solving skills.
  • Great communication, collaboration skills, and a strong teamwork ethic with both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Experience with:
    • SpringBoot and related Spring projects.
    • Non-relational database technologies like DynamoDB.
    • Caching datastores such as Redis, ValKey, or MemCache.
    • Data Streaming Mechanisms such as Apache Kafka and/or Kinesis.
    • Cloud platforms such as AWS.
    • Modern DevOps tools such as Terraform, Docker, and Kubernetes.
    • Microservice architecture.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Domain knowledge in the Ad Tech industry.
  • Domain knowledge in programmatic advertising


Additional Information:
  • Engineers are expected to be in the office four days a week.
  • The specific location depends on the team's location and the hiring manager's input.
The hiring range for this position in Glendale, California is $155,700 to $208,700 per year and Santa Monica, California is $155,700 to $208,700 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.

Job Posting Segment:
Ad Platforms

Job Posting Primary Business:
AP - Engineering

Primary Job Posting Category:
Software Engineer

Employment Type:
Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Glendale, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:
USA - CA - 2450 Broadway

Date Posted:
2026-04-28

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company started as a cartoon studio and evolves into sports coverage and television shows. Using the company's portfolio of brands to differentiate our content, services, and consumer products, Walt Disney seeks to develop creative, innovative, and profitable entertainment experiences and related products.

The Walt Disney Company Careers

Join the magical world of The Walt Disney Company, a place where dreams come true and imagination meets innovation. As a global leader in entertainment and media, we offer unparalleled job opportunities that invite you to be part of a beloved brand known for its influential culture, diversity, and dynamic growth. Work You’ll Do Embark on a career journey with The Walt Disney Company and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of media and entertainment. Engage in work that matters, contributes to storytelling excellence, and brings joy to millions around the globe. Transform your professional life by joining a team that values creativity, leadership, and visionary thinking. The Walt Disney Company stands at the forefront of industry innovation, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in entertainment and beyond. Lead with us from a unique position in the marketplace, where your skills in technology, creativity, and management converge to create extraordinary experiences. Collaborate with a diverse group of talented professionals, united in their passion for delivering magical experiences. Our team at The Walt Disney Company is composed of over 200,000 dedicated individuals who thrive in an environment that fosters growth, mentorship, and innovation. Introducing The Walt Disney Company Leadership and Professional Growth Programs We are committed to developing leaders who can navigate the challenges of the digital era and drive success across our various business segments. Our leadership programs are designed to hone your skills and prepare you for executive roles within the company. Do Innovative Work Join our team and contribute to projects that redefine the entertainment landscape. From groundbreaking films and television series to pioneering technological advancements, your work at The Walt Disney Company will set new standards in the creative and business worlds. Be Part of a Great Team Experience a culture that is inclusive, collaborative, and forward-thinking. Work alongside the best in the business and see how diversity and inclusion fuel our creativity and success. The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to a diverse workforce is evident in our hiring practices, training programs, and our everyday operations. Future-Proof Your Career With a wide array of benefits, continuous learning opportunities, and a network of supportive colleagues, your career at The Walt Disney Company is equipped for longevity and success. Our benefits package includes comprehensive health care, employee discounts, and access to exclusive company events and previews. Explore Job Opportunities and Internships Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for your next challenge or a student seeking a transformative internship, The Walt Disney Company offers positions across a spectrum of fields and disciplines. Explore our career portal to find job opportunities that match your skills and passions. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions, apply through our streamlined application process, and take the first step towards a magical career. We look for individuals who are passionate, curious, and eager to contribute to our legacy of storytelling and innovation. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with the latest company news, career tips, and insider perspectives—all from the people who make The Walt Disney Company a place of inspiration and excitement. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and updates that align with your career interests. Discover the exciting and rewarding opportunities that await at The Walt Disney Company. Join us, and be part of the magic that only happens here at The Walt Disney Company!
Learn more about The Walt Disney Company
Size
190,000 employees
Market Cap
$155.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
-$4.9 billion
Founded
1923
5 Year Trend
+3.9%
Revenue
$60.7 billion
NASDAQ

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