The Walt Disney Company

Senior Manager, SDET

The Walt Disney Company$163K — $219K *
Information Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in software quality engineering, test automation, or software development with 5+ years managing managers
  • Proven ability to scale quality engineering functions in complex, cloud-native environments
  • Experience defining organizational strategy and driving quality at the executive level
  • Expert knowledge in modern test automation frameworks and CI/CD processes
  • Familiarity with agile software engineering practices
  • Hands-on experience testing identity and access management systems
  • Advanced proficiency in Python or modern Object-Oriented languages, with ad-tech experience a plus

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop quality engineering teams, promoting a culture of inclusion and excellence
  • Define a strategic roadmap for quality engineering aligned with business and technology goals
  • Drive organizational transformation through best practices and quality metrics
  • Set technical direction for test automation and intelligent testing initiatives
  • Ensure the resolution of high-severity outages through systematic improvements
  • Oversee resource planning and scaling of quality engineering talent
  • Build relationships with senior leadership, articulating quality risks and strategies

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical benefits
  • Financial incentives, including bonuses and/or long-term units
  • Career growth opportunities in a technology-driven environment
  • Access to continuous learning and professional development resources
  • Work within a collaborative, cross-functional team environment
Full Job Description
Job Posting Title:
Senior Manager, SDET

Req ID:


Job Description:

Job Summary:

Describe what the person will do in the role - how he/she will impact the organization.

The DEEP & Technology team is seeking a highly experienced Senior Manager (M3) to lead and scale our Quality Engineering organization supporting various commerce, data and advertising systems. In this role, you will provide strategic, operational, and technical leadership across multiple quality engineering teams, ensuring robust test automation, reliability, and business impact at scale. You will develop and execute a quality strategy that drives measurable improvement in system reliability, speed of delivery, and product excellence, partnering closely with executives, engineering leadership, and cross-functional business units.

Ideal candidates are visionary people leaders with a proven track record of growing high-performing teams, implementing transformational quality programs, and delivering significant value in complex and rapidly evolving environments.

Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership & Transformation
  • Lead, inspire, and develop multiple quality engineering teams and people leaders (managers/technical leads), fostering a culture of technical excellence, inclusion, and continuous learning.
  • Define the multi-year vision and strategic roadmap for quality engineering across the advertising platform, aligned with company business and technology goals.
  • Champion organizational transformation, driving the adoption of best-in-class practices, tools, and quality metrics at scale.


Technical Thought Leadership
  • Set the technical direction for large-scale test automation architecture, cloud-native solutions, and intelligent testing initiatives (AI/ML-driven testing, autonomous pipelines, etc.).
  • Sponsor and guide the evolution of shared automation frameworks, tools, and platforms across product and engineering teams.
  • Ensure timely resolution and prevention of high-severity outages through organizational postmortems, root cause analysis, and systemic improvements.


Strategic Planning & Execution
  • Develop, communicate, and execute the quality engineering strategy across multiple product groups, balancing innovation, risk, and operational needs.
  • Oversee resource planning, hiring, and organizational design to ensure scaling and allocation of quality engineering talent to meet evolving business needs.
  • Take ultimate responsibility for quality governance, compliance, and traceability across all product lines within your scope.


Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior leadership in engineering, product management, data science, product operations, and business teams.
  • Articulate quality risks, trade-offs, and long-term strategies to executive stakeholders; provide regular reporting on quality metrics and organizational outcomes.
  • Lead cross-functional initiatives to ensure test automation and quality engineering are embedded early and effectively throughout the development lifecycle.


Minimum Qualifications:
  • 10+ years of experience in software quality engineering, test automation, or software development, with 5+ years managing managers or leading multi-team organizations
  • Proven track record of scaling and transforming quality engineering functions in complex, cloud-native, high-scale environments
  • Demonstrated experience defining and driving organizational strategy, advocating for quality at the senior/executive level, and influencing business outcomes
  • Expertise in modern test automation frameworks, CI/CD, and emerging trends in software quality
  • Knowledge of software engineering practices and agile approaches
  • Strong desire for establishing and improving product quality
  • Experience conducting security and performance tests for identity and access management systems and platforms
  • Hands on experience testing (manual and automated) identity and access management systems and platforms
  • Advanced proficiency with Python or modern OO languages; experience with ad-tech or large-scale systems is a plus
  • Willingness to take challenges head on while being part of a team
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and mentoring skills
  • B.S. in Computer Science (or equivalent degree or work experience)
The hiring range for this position in Morrisville, NC is $163,400 - $219,100. 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:
Content Platforms & Operations

Job Posting Primary Business:
CPO - Infrastructure Engineering

Primary Job Posting Category:
Quality Assurance Engineering

Employment Type:
Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Santa Monica, CA, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:
2026-08-20

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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