The Walt Disney Company

Senior Manager, Software Development Engineer in Test

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

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in software quality engineering or test automation, including 5+ years managing teams
  • Proven success in scaling quality engineering in cloud-native, high-scale environments
  • Experience with strategic organizational development and quality advocacy at the executive level
  • Expertise in modern test automation frameworks and CI/CD
  • Knowledge of streaming media concepts or willingness to learn
  • Strong desire to enhance product quality
  • Proficiency in JS/Node, Python, or other modern languages; media player experience is advantageous
  • Experience in test automation across diverse device platforms

Responsibilities

  • Lead and develop quality engineering teams, promoting technical excellence and a culture of learning
  • Define and implement a strategic quality engineering roadmap aligned with business goals
  • Drive the adoption of best practices and metrics for quality assurance across platforms
  • Establish the technical direction for test automation and intelligent testing initiatives
  • Oversee the development of shared automation frameworks for media player verification
  • Manage resource planning and organizational design to meet business needs
  • Communicate quality risks and strategies to senior leadership and report on outcomes

Benefits

  • Full range of medical benefits
  • Financial incentives or bonuses
  • Other standard corporate benefits
Full Job Description

Job Posting Title:

Senior Manager, Software Development Engineer in Test

Req ID:

Job Description:

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology 

Product Engineering is a unified team responsible for the engineering of Disney Entertainment & ESPN digital and streaming products and platforms. This includes product engineering, media engineering, quality engineering, and the engineering behind personalization, commerce, lifecycle, and identity. 

Job Summary:

The DEEP & Technology team is seeking a highly experienced Senior Manager (M3) to lead and scale our Quality Engineering organization supporting the Disney Media Player and its performance and functionality across clients and devices. 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 across a diverse, multi-platform engineering landscape.
  • Define the multi-year vision and strategic roadmap for quality engineering across the Disney Media Player and its  cross-device ecosystem, 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, cross-device test infrastructure, and intelligent testing initiatives (AI/ML-driven testing, autonomous pipelines, etc.).
  • Sponsor and guide the evolution of shared automation frameworks for media player verification across web, mobile, connected TV, and gaming console platforms.
  • 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 for media player quality and cross-device reliability, 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 client engineering, media platform, device certification, product management, and reliability 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 player quality validation and device compatibility testing are embedded early 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
  • Familiarity with streaming media concepts (playback quality, ABR, DRM, codec behavior) or eagerness to develop domain expertise quickly
  • Strong desire for establishing and improving product quality
  • Advanced proficiency with JS/Node, Python and/or modern OO languages; experience with media player and/or pipeline systems is a plus
  • Experience building or managing test automation across multiple device platforms (smart TVs, set-top boxes, mobile, web, gaming consoles)
  • Strong communication, stakeholder management, and mentoring skills
  • Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Computer Science (or equivalent degree or work experience)
The hiring range for this position is $163,400 - $219,100 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 - Sports, News & Entertainment, Tech Enablement

Job Posting Primary Business:

PE - Sports, News & Entertainment, Enablement - Streaming, Media, Content

Primary Job Posting Category:

Quality Assurance Engineering

Employment Type:

Full time

Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Morrisville, NC, USA

Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

Date Posted:

2026-06-22

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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