Lead Data Engineer - Solutioning

Disney Cruise Line - The Walt Disney Company; Orlando (FL); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Disney Experiences Technology (DXT) seeks a Lead Data Engineer - Solutioning to partner with Product Managers and Data Architects in building scalable data solutions. You will guide data sourcing, transformation, and storage, while aligning with enterprise standards and driving data quality across streams from multiple Disney brands.

Based in Florida, you will lead design, estimation, and implementation using AWS/GCP, Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, and dbt, while mentoring teams and shaping

Qualifications

• 7+ years of related work experience.
• Advanced development skills in SQL, Python, Java, and Scala.
• Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, Airflow, and dbt.
• Proficient in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP) for data storage and processing.
• Strong collaboration in agile teams with Product Managers and Architects.
• Familiarity with data governance and metadata management concepts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical counterpart to Product Managers, engaging early in the intake process to assess feasibility, clarify scope, and identify data dependencies
• Translate business requirements and product requests into well-defined data solution briefs, including data sourcing strategy, transformation logic, and consumption patterns
• Partner with Data Architects to translate solution requirements into architectural patterns and data model designs that align with enterprise standards
• Engage in estimation and planning activities, providing sizing guidance and technical risk assessment for product intake requests
• Lead the design, construction, and management of technology architecture, solutions, and software aimed at gathering, managing, and using both structured and unstructured data from various sources
• Develop robust processes and structures to optimize data flow, routing, and storage, meticulously considering business and technical requirements, and deploying cloud and local storage solutions as necessary
• Use advanced technical tools and programming expertise to implement data cleansing, organization, transformation, and maintenance tasks, integrating automation and innovative methodologies like big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
• Define design standards and quality assurance procedures for software and systems development, ensuring seamless data compatibility, operability, and integrity across all data connections, transmissions, and storage systems
• Analyze internal and external business and product needs regarding data operations, suggesting adjustments and improvements to systems and storage to keep up with ongoing demands
• Help engage around the estimation and planning of highly sophisticated scalable projects and their budget allocations
• You will be expected to stay up to date with emerging technologies so you can make informed recommendations
• May be required to provide support escalation, coordinate the ongoing operations, and support the enhancement of existing tools as needed

Skills

SQL

Python

Java

Scala

Data Modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, or comparable field of study

Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, or comparable field of study

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

Spark

Airflow

dbt

Job description

“We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Experiences Technology (DXT). Our team creates world-class immersive digital experiences for the Company’s premier vacation brands including Disney’s Parks & Resorts worldwide, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney Vacation Club.

The DXT team is responsible for the end-to-end digital and physical Guest experience for all technology & digital-led initiatives across the Attractions & Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Resorts & Transportation, and Merchandise lines of business as well as other initiatives including the MyDisneyExperience app and Hey, Disney!

This role sits in the Data Products & Platform organization within Disney Experiences Technology (DXT). It works closely with Product Management, Data Architecture, and Data Engineering delivery teams from across the organization.

Lead Data Engineer - Solutioning will report to the Manager of Data Engineering Solutions.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as the primary technical counterpart to Product Managers, engaging early in the intake process to assess feasibility, clarify scope, and identify data dependencies
• Translate business requirements and product requests into well-defined data solution briefs, including data sourcing strategy, transformation logic, and consumption patterns
• Partner with Data Architects to translate solution requirements into architectural patterns and data model designs that align with enterprise standards
• Engage in estimation and planning activities, providing sizing guidance and technical risk assessment for product intake requests
• Lead the design, construction, and management of technology architecture, solutions, and software aimed at gathering, managing, and using both structured and unstructured data from various sources
• Develop robust processes and structures to optimize data flow, routing, and storage, meticulously considering business and technical requirements, and deploying cloud and local storage solutions as necessary
• Use advanced technical tools and programming expertise to implement data cleansing, organization, transformation, and maintenance tasks, integrating automation and innovative methodologies like big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
• Define design standards and quality assurance procedures for software and systems development, ensuring seamless data compatibility, operability, and integrity across all data connections, transmissions, and storage systems
• Analyze internal and external business and product needs regarding data operations, suggesting adjustments and improvements to systems and storage to keep up with ongoing demands
• Help engage around the estimation and planning of highly sophisticated scalable projects and their budget allocations
• You will be expected to stay up to date with emerging technologies so you can make informed recommendations
• May be required to provide support escalation, coordinate the ongoing operations, and support the enhancement of existing tools as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 7 years of related work experience
• Advanced development skills in cross-platform coding languages such as SQL, Python, Java, and Scala.
• SQL and scripting expertise for data extraction, transformation, and building performant datasets, with a focus on automation
• Extensive experience with relational databases and NoSQL databases (e.g., Snowflake, Databricks, Oracle, MongoDB, DynamoDB, Redis)
• Proficient in cloud technologies including AWS (e.g., Lambda, Kinesis, DMS, Managed Flink) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for data storage, processing, and analysis
• Comfortable working in an agile environment, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and adapting to changing requirements
• A visionary who motivates teams to excel and fosters creativity, consistently driving excellence in all endeavors
• An advocate for a diverse and inclusive culture that encourages innovation and ensures every team member feels a sense of belonging
• Familiar with SQL, Python, cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), and modern data stack tools such as Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, Airflow, or dbt, with a desire to further develop technical expertise in data engineering tools, methodologies, and emerging technologies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven ability to lead technical solutioning sessions with cross-functional stakeholders, including Product Managers, Architects, and Engineering leads
• A collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset with a track record of driving clarity and momentum in ambiguous or complex delivery environments
• Strong understanding of data modeling concepts including dimensional modeling, data vault, and medallion/lake house architectures
• Demonstrated ability to bridge business and technical domains — translating product and stakeholder requirements into executable data engineering solutions
• Experience in a formal solutions engineering, technical product management, or data product owner capacity
• Familiarity with data governance, data quality frameworks, and metadata management platforms (e.g., Alation, Unity Catalog, Apache Atlas)
• Experience with data contract design and producer/consumer interface standards

Required Education:

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

Preferred Education:

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

#DISNEYTECH

#LI-AF2

The hiring range for this position in FL is $148,300.00-$198,800.00 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.