Lead Software Engineer - AI‑Driven AWS & Microservices

The Walt Disney Company; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 148,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company seeks a Lead Software Engineer in Lake Buena Vista, FL to design and deliver scalable, AI-enhanced software systems for Disney Experiences. You will code hands-on, shape architecture, and own critical reservation and inventory systems within a fast-paced, cross-functional team.

You will collaborate with product owners, engineers, and analytics to implement cloud-native solutions using Java, Spring, AWS, and modern databases, while advancing automated testing, CI/CD, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building large-scale software systems and web applications, leading engineering teams and projects, with hands-on experience in solution and application architecture.
• Expertise with enterprise architecture repository tools (e.g., tools similar to BlueDolphin or LeanIX)
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-domain architectural initiatives and guide decision processes
• Experience developing and managing architecture taxonomies, patterns, and standards.
• Proven ability to align architecture with strategic objectives, OKRs, and scorecards.
• Hands-on familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), API-led integration, security-by-design, and data architecture principles.
• Strong hands-on skills in Java 21+, Spring, microservices, and RESTful APIs.
• Deep experience with AWS, databases (DynamoDB, Aurora, MongoDB), Kafka, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Solid understanding of object-oriented design, coding best practices, and Agile/Test-Driven Development.
• Experience running and monitoring distributed production systems, including tools like Splunk, Grafana, or AppDynamics.
• Knowledge of inventory optimization and preventing overbooking-type issues.
• Hands-on experience using AI-powered coding tools (Copilot, Cursor, Amazon Q, Claude, etc.) to accelerate development.
• Able to lead complex projects independently - setting direction, solving hard problems, and guiding testing and debugging.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects at once and making fast decisions under pressure.
• Experience working with distributed/remote teams.
• Strong mentoring skills - able to train, guide, and review the work of junior engineers.
• Good communicator who can work well with product owners, UI/UX teams, and other technical and business stakeholders.
• Adaptable, thrives in fast-changing, sometimes ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and personally build (hands-on coding expected) scalable, well-documented software systems, applications, APIs, and RESTful services - from technical specs through delivery - using Java, AWS/cloud-native patterns, relational and NoSQL databases, messaging, and orchestration technologies.
• Champion AI-driven development and architecture, embedding AI-powered tools (GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Amazon Q, Claude, Kiro) across the software lifecycle - from design and coding to testing and troubleshooting - to accelerate delivery and elevate quality, while shaping how the team adopts AI in its engineering practices.
• Set architectural direction by translating complex functional, technical, and business requirements into solution architecture, coordinating with Architecture and IT stakeholders, evaluating technology choices (software, hardware, SaaS/PaaS), and developing proof-of-concepts and roadmaps that align applications with reference architecture.
• Own dining and bookable experience reservation systems, maintaining deep expertise in inventory, availability, offers, and reservations, and proactively preventing overbooking issues that could impact guests.
• Integrate and support complex systems across databases, messaging, and orchestration platforms, and manage AWS infrastructure to keep production and lower environments reliable.
• Drive engineering quality and continuous improvement through code and design reviews, automated testing, end-to-end troubleshooting and root-cause analysis, and proactive recommendations to processes, technologies, and coding practices - maintaining focus and sound judgment in a dynamic, fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product owners, engineering partners, delivery managers, business analysts, and other architecture teams to align solutions with current and future business needs, estimate delivery, and communicate the team's value.

Skills

Java

AWS

Spring

Microservices

RESTful APIs

Databases

AI tooling

Cloud-native

Software architecture

CI/CD

Git

Messaging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

DynamoDB

Aurora

MongoDB

Kafka

Docker

Job description

The Walt Disney Company seeks a Lead Software Engineer in Lake Buena Vista, FL to design and deliver scalable, AI-enhanced software systems for Disney Experiences. You will code hands-on, shape architecture, and own critical reservation and inventory systems within a fast-paced, cross-functional team.

You will collaborate with product owners, engineers, and analytics to implement cloud-native solutions using Java, Spring, AWS, and modern databases, while advancing automated testing, CI/CD, and