Principal Data Engineer

The Walt Disney Company; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company seeks a Principal Software Data Capability Architect on the Reference Architecture team in Orlando. You will lead design for data products, guide multiple engineering and product teams, and drive scalable data platforms and APIs across Disney Experiences.

You will mentor teams, shape standards, and champion data-driven decision-making while aligning with privacy, security, and SLA requirements. This role emphasizes innovation and cross-functional impact.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience delivering data solutions.
• Ability to build intuitive UIs in data apps for technical and non-technical users.
• Strong communication with executives and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Architect, build, and scale full stack data applications (UI, API, AI).
• Define and prototype scalable software system designs.
• Create and evangelize data architecture standards and patterns.
• Architect end-to-end data interfaces from ingestion to consumption.
• Provide guidance to ensure solutions meet SLA, resiliency, security, and privacy standards.
• Lead large technical initiatives across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Create clear docs/diagrams for engineering and product teams.
• Lead projects delivering software, APIs, and tools for infra and platforms.
• Stay current with emerging technologies to inform decisions.

Skills

Data architecture

UI in data apps

Executive communication

Architectural diagrams

Reference implementations

Agile/DevOps

Lead large technical initiatives

Data solutions delivery

Problem solving

Data platforms & APIs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

AWS

Snowflake

dbt

SQL

Python

RESTful APIs

Terraform/CDK

Job description

Job Requirements

At Disney Experiences Technology, we design and deliver more than 400 digital and physical products that bring Disney stories to life in unexpected ways. From theme parks and resorts to cruise ships and beyond, our global team of technologists, designers, and innovators creates seamless, immersive experiences that delight millions of Guests and Cast Members around the world.

The Disney Signature Experiences and Data team delivers innovative technology solutions across Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club, and our global tour businesses. We support Guest and Crew experiences at sea, enable commercial growth through digital platforms, and lead the segment’s data strategy. With a strong focus on reliability, scalability, and strategic expansion, we build the systems that support immersive experiences and unlock new opportunities for growth.

This role is on the Data Platform team, which builds and manages the data architecture, governance, and engineering capabilities that power insights and decision-making across Disney Experiences. We are looking for a Principal Software Data Capability Architect on the Reference Architecture team to lead the design vision of data products and solutions. You will lead all aspects of assigned data initiatives working with multiple engineering and product teams.

What You Will Do:

• Architect, build, and scale full stack data applications: UI, API, & AI
• Define, influence, and prototype the design of highly scalable software systems and applications
• Create, maintain, and evangelize data architecture standards, patterns, and best practices to ensure alignment with established principles and technologies
• Architect end-to-end data interfaces from ingestion through consumption layers that support business requirements and process automation
• Provide guidance to ensure solutions are well-architected to meet standards and requirements (e.g., SLA, resiliency, security, and privacy requirements)
• Lead in strategy for large, technical initiatives involving multiple teams, leaders, and stakeholders
• Create and maintain clear communication, documents, and diagrams that define, guide, and influence engineering and product teams
• Lead projects that may be used in end-user applications, focusing on software, APIs, and tools supporting infrastructure and technology platforms
• Continuously monitor and evaluate emerging technologies to drive informed decision-making and recommendations
• Foster and maintain productive engagement with executive leadership and partners to ensure solutions are right-sized and strategically aligned to the overall data strategy and architecture principles

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 10+ years of experience with the delivery of data solutions
• Expertise in current programming languages and technologies, with strong skills in writing code and programming tasks
• Ability to build intuitive UIs in data applications usable by both technical and non-technical users adhering to company accessibility standards
• Deep technical expertise in data, platforms, APIs, and tools—including AWS, Snowflake, dbt, SQL & SQL optimization, data modeling, Python, RESTful APIs, near real-time stream processing, ETL & ELT approaches, and infrastructure-as-code (Terraform/CDK)
• Strong problem solving and influencing skills, able to critically think through and elegantly address logic problems with code
• Ability to navigate in the gray easily and work independently to guide the design and implementation of solutions and strategies
• Excellent communicator and partnership skills with the ability to interface and strategically influence across the organization, including executives
• Experience creating architectural diagrams and artifacts that clearly and consistently define solutions used by product managers and engineering teams
• Ability to create reference implementations used as initial working solutions
• Experience working in the hospitality, travel, or entertainment industry
• Solid grasp and believer of agile development approaches, including DevOps concepts

Preferred Qualifications& Skills:

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

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

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Orlando, Florida is $159,800 - $214,200 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 on the level and position offered.

This position is with Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here. (https://join.disneycareers.com/global/en/ai-usage)

Walt Disney Attractions Technology 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 (https://support.disneycareers.com/hc/en-us/sections/32131060143380-Candidate-Disability-Accommodations-FAQs) . 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. (https://support.disneycareers.com/hc/en-us)

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, email [e-mail] with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.