Lead Machine Learning Engineer

The Walt Disney Company; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company is seeking a Lead Machine Learning Engineer in Santa Monica to drive end-to-end ML initiatives for advertising platforms, leveraging AI to optimize targeting, pricing, and delivery across Disney's digital properties.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with product managers, and scale models from research to production, employing Java, Python, and Scala in a data-driven, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of large scale ML experience in leading internet companies.
• Proficient in Java, Python, Scala and ML/DL platforms.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.
• Experience building data-driven services and applications.
• Proven track record of thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Drive ground-breaking innovation and apply state-of-the-art AI/ML across advertising, including forecasting, experience, pacing, pricing, targeting, and delivery.
• Invent and iterate novel solutions for complex ad challenges with fast turnaround.
• Lead the ad algorithm architecture design and iteration of the advertising system.
• Develop scalable approaches for large-scale data analysis and model development.
• Build and experiment new algorithms end-to-end, from production rollout to continuous optimization.
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and program management in an open environment; mentor team members.

Skills

Large scale ML experience

Java

Python

Scala

Mathematics & statistics

Team mentorship

Education

Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

TensorFlow

Kubeflow

SageMaker

Job description

Lead Machine Learning Engineer

Job ID 10161706 Location Seattle, Washington, United States / Santa Monica, California, United States / Glendale, California, United States Business Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology Date posted Oct. 14, 2026

Technology is at the heart of Disney’s past, present, and future. Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology is a global organization of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, data scientists, and more – all working to build and advance the technological backbone for Disney’s media business globally.

The team marries technology with creativity to build world-class products, enhance storytelling, and drive velocity, innovation, and scalability for our businesses. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers. We work with every part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touch points serving millions of people around the world.

• Building the future of Disney’s media: Our Technologists are designing and building the products and platforms that will power our media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach, Scale & Impact: More than ever, Disney’s technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans' connections with the company’s brands and stories. Disney+. Hulu. ESPN. ABC. ABC News…and many more. These products and brands – and the unmatched stories, storytellers, and events they carry – matter to millions of people globally.
• Innovation: We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms, and solve complex and distinctive technical problems.

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.

The Ad Platform research team is under Ad Platforms and its mission is to transform advertising and Disney's Ad platform with AI and data science. We build solutions to measure and optimize every aspect of the advertising life cycle. Our tenant is a strong cross-domain team to deliver E2E solutions for machine learning and data science. Our team is seeking a lead machine learning engineer who will be an outstanding addition and leading development for prediction or optimization engines for addressable ad platforms. The right person for this role should be experienced in crafting implementation for either machine learning technologies or data-driven algorithms. If you are someone who is proactive and innovative in these domains, this is a phenomenal role for you!

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Drive ground-breaking innovation and apply state of the art AI and machine learning in a variety of areas to enhance every aspect of advertising, including inventory forecasting, ad experience, ad pacing, pricing, targeting, and efficient ad delivery.
• Invent and iterate novel solutions for complex ad challenges with fast turnaround.
• Lead the ad algorithm architecture design and iteration of the advertising system.
• Develop scalable and efficient approaches for large scale data analysis and model development.
• Build and experiment new algorithms and models end-to-end, from production rollout to continuous optimization.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, product managers, and program managers in an open and creative environment.
• Mentor team members and support their technical growth.

WHAT TO BRING

• Bachelor Degree in Computer Science or relevant field
• 7+ years of working experience on large scale machine learning at leading internet companies.
• Strong knowledge of AI/ML technologies, mathematics and statistics.
• Proficient in Java, Python, Scala, large scale ML/DL platforms and processing tech stack.
• Passionate about understanding the ad business, applying advanced research to relevant business scenarios, and seeking innovation opportunities to enhance business effectiveness.
• Passionate about technology, open to interdisciplinary collaborations, and experienced in building data-driven services and applications.
• A proven track record of thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven, and collaborative work environment is required.

NICE-TO-HAVES

• MS or PhD in computer science or equivalent experience preferred
• Experience with CTR/CVR model, generative AI, forecasting algorithm model.
• Experience with feature store, audience segmentation and MLOps
• Experience with Tensorflow, Kubeflow or Sagemaker

This position is withDisney Entertainment & Sports LLC, which is part of a business we callDisney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology.

Disney Entertainment & Sports LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

We want everyone to belong and thrive. Creating a welcoming and respectful environment for our employees and guests is core to our company culture and our business. We strive to build supportive work environments that drive innovation and reinforce a culture in which all employees feel welcome, respected, and valued.

Heroes Work Here reflects the long history of respect and appreciation Disney has for the U.S. Armed Services. We recognize the commitment and dedication it takes to serve your country, both as military personnel and military spouses, and value the leadership skills and sense of purpose it has instilled in you.