Lead Machine Learning Engineer
The Walt Disney Company
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Job summary
The Walt Disney Company is seeking a Lead Machine Learning Engineer for Disney's Ad Platforms to drive predictive modeling and optimization in addressable advertising across Seattle, Santa Monica, and Glendale.
You will lead the ad algorithm design, build scalable ML solutions, collaborate with product, engineering, and program management, mentor teammates, and push rapid experimentation in a fast-paced, data-driven environment, shaping Disney's advertising tech future.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a relevant field.
- 7+ years of large-scale ML experience at leading internet companies.
- Strong knowledge of AI/ML, mathematics and statistics.
- Proficient in Java, Python, Scala with ML/DL platforms.
- Passionate about applying AI/ML to ad business and innovation.
Responsibilities
- Drive ground-breaking innovation and apply state of the art AI and machine learning in advertising areas (inventory forecasting, ad experience, ad pacing, pricing, targeting, delivery).
- Lead 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 with new algorithms end-to-end, from production to optimization.
- Collaborate with engineering, product, and program management; mentor teammates.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
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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.
Here are a few reasons why we think you’d love working here:
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
Here are a few reasons why we think you’d love working here:
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- MS or PhD in computer science or equivalent experience preferred
- Experience in digital video advertising or digital marketing domain
- Experience with CTR/CVR model, generative AI, forecasting algorithm model.
- Experience with feature store, audience segmentation and MLOps
- Experience with Tensorflow, Kubeflow or Sagemaker
Disclaimer
PAY TRANSPARENCY
The hiring range for this position in Santa Monica & Glendale, CA is $174,100 to $233,500 per year and in Seattle, WA is $182,400 to $244,600. 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.
This position is with Disney Entertainment & Sports LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology.
To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here. (opens in new window)
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.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs (opens in new window) . We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help. (opens in new window)
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