The Walt Disney Company

Lead Software Engineer

The Walt Disney Company$163K — $218K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent work experience
  • 7+ years of experience designing backend systems
  • Proficient in building RESTful services in Scala or Java
  • Understanding of asynchronous programming and thread concurrency
  • Experience with deployment technologies like Jenkins and Docker
  • Strong understanding of data structures and design patterns
  • Experience with cloud platforms and DevOps practices

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with engineers to build software during development
  • Develop high-performance, scalable systems for enterprise use
  • Lead architectural discussions and planning sessions
  • Provide feedback during the code review process
  • Support systems during production incidents as part of on-call rotation
  • Create and review technical proposals and root cause analyses
  • Mentor and guide engineers on the team
  • Establish engineering best practices to enhance quality and efficiency

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical benefits
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Generous paid time off policies
  • Employee discounts on Disney products and experiences
  • Opportunities for professional development and growth
Full Job Description

Job Posting Title:

Lead Software Engineer

Req ID:

Job Description:

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology is looking for a Technical Lead Software Engineer to join the Playback Services team within the Media Engineering organization. The Playback Services team’s mission is to build highly available, high throughput services that are essential to delivering high quality content to our subscribers. The team is responsible for the backend of media playback, facilitating media selection, device customization, and antipiracy technologies. If you enjoy streaming media, are interested in live sports and entertainment, or just want to join a fast-growing team that plays a meaningful role in the core functionality of our streaming products, then our team is for you.

As a Tech Lead on the PlayIO team, you'll be directly influencing the performance, reliability, and scalability of our core applications. You'll work closely with a talented team of software engineers, acting as a technical anchor and mentor. Your days will involve guiding critical architectural decisions, diving deep into complex code reviews, and troubleshooting production issues to ensure seamless operation. You'll also play a pivotal role in shaping our technical roadmap, championing best practices in areas like system resilience, and developer efficiency.

You'll make a significant impact on the organization by contributing to the development of new features, and ensuring our services remain highly available for our users. By optimizing system performance, and nurturing a culture of excellence within your team, you'll directly contribute to an enhanced user experience on our streaming applications. This role is crucial for our continued growth, empowering us to confidently scale our offerings, and innovate rapidly.

Responsibilities

  • Work with a team of engineers building software in a collaborative development  process  

  • Build high-performance, stable, scalable systems to be deployed in an enterprise  setting  

  • Lead high-level architecture discussions and planning sessions  

  • Participate in the code review process by providing feedback on pull requests

  • Participate in the on-call rotation, supporting systems and services during  production incidents  

  • Author and provide feedback on technical proposals and root cause analyses

  • Provide mentoring and advice for other engineers  

  • Establish engineering best practices and standards within the team to drive quality  and excellence  

  • Contribute to the DSS technical community through presentations, tech talks, and  other knowledge-sharing efforts 

Basic Qualifications

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

  • 7+ years related experience designing backend architectures and delivering backend  applications in a production environment 

  • Experience building RESTful Services in Scala or Java

  • Understanding of async programming models (events, callbacks, async/await) and thread + concurrency

  • Understanding of source control concepts and exposure to Git

  • Experience with build and deployment technologies such as Jenkins, Spinnaker, and Docker

  • Strong grasp of data structures, algorithms, and common design patterns.

  • Demonstrated knowledge in building and operating large-scale high availability backend services

  • Knowledge of caching technologies

  • Proficiency in Cloud Platforms and DevOps Practices

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Self-learner, independent, excellent problem-solving skills  

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated knowledge in building and operating large-scale high availability backend services in a JVM language

  • Functional Programming in Scala

  • Experience building RESTful Services in Scala

  • Expertise in Performance Optimization and Scalability

  • Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical challenges, propose well-reasoned solutions, and articulate design choices clearly

  • Experience with: AWS (EKS, S3, ElastiCache, Kinesis, OpenSearch), Scala, Java, Python, Terraform. Experience with observability tooling (ex. DataDog)

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in New York, NY is $163,100.00-$218,700.00 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.

Job Posting Segment:

PE - Media Engineering

Job Posting Primary Business:

PE - Media Platform - Content Distribution & Playback Services

Primary Job Posting Category:

Software Engineer

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

New York, NY, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-05-24

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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