Principal Software Engineer

5131 Hulu Enterprises, LLC; Celebration (FL); On-site; USD 175,500 - 235,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Disney Experiences (DX) in Orlando, FL is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to shape the future of Shipboard Systems. You will transform diverse legacy systems into a cohesive, modern ecosystem, driving engineering excellence and standardization in an on‑premise environment.

You will lead cross‑functional teams, define architecture, and integrate AI tooling into the SDLC while managing complex, high‑impact projects in a cruise and hospitality context.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of related work experience.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Advocate for diverse and inclusive culture that fosters innovation.
• Authority in Flutter, Mobile Native Development, Java, Angular, Node.js, RESTful API design, On-Premise infra, Data Standardization and Microservices.

Responsibilities

• Own analysis, design, programming, debugging, and modification of software improvements or new products.
• Lead projects for software and tools supporting infrastructure and platforms.
• Lead and influence design and development of highly scalable systems.
• Initiate testing and debugging to drive sophisticated, scalable solutions.
• Define and enforce reference architecture standards across shipboard solutions.

Skills

Flutter

Mobile Native Development

Java

Angular

Node.js

RESTful API design

On-Premise infrastructure

Data Standardization

Microservices

AI/ML concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Engineering

Master’s degree in CS/Software Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Job description

Job Title

Principal Software Engineer

Company

Disney Experiences (DX)

Overview

We Power the Magic! That’s our motto at Disney Experiences (DX). 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 Principal Software Engineer for Shipboard Systems will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology across our cruise line operations. This leader will transform diverse legacy systems into a cohesive, modern technology ecosystem built for data insights, while driving engineering excellence, standardization, and strategic innovation in an on‑premise, highly integrated environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the analysis, design, programming, debugging, and modification of software improvements and/or new products used in local, networked, cloud‑based, or Internet‑related computer programs.
• Lead projects that may be used in commercial and end‑user applications or focus on software and tools supporting infrastructure and technology platforms.
• Lead and influence the direction and prioritization of the design and development of highly scalable software systems and applications.
• Initiate testing and debugging of applications, using conceptual and innovative thinking to drive sophisticated, highly scalable solutions throughout the organization.
• Contribute to the conception, design, development, testing, and implementation of software components, fixes, improvements, and/or new systems and applications.
• Exercise full autonomy to interact with users across diverse teams and levels to define system requirements and/or necessary modifications.
• Estimate and plan highly sophisticated scalable projects and their budget allocations.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate emerging technologies within your area of expertise to drive informed decision‑making and recommendations.
• Define and enforce reference architecture standards across all shipboard solutions, ensuring consistency, scalability, and maintainability in an on‑premise environment.
• Guide the replacement strategy for existing bespoke and aging systems, identifying modernization paths and leading the technical execution across diverse teams with a focus on simplification.
• Cultivate and champion a culture of engineering excellence, standardization, and continuous improvement across multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Define and integrate AI tooling into the engineering side of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), establishing best practices, processes, and skill‑development pathways for its effective adoption across all development teams.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of related work experience.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities, ensuring effective growth and development of team members.
• 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.
• Authority in Flutter, Mobile Native Development (iOS/Android), Java, Angular, Node.js, RESTful API design, On‑Premise infrastructure management, Data Standardization principles, and Microservices architecture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the cruise, hospitality, or travel industry, particularly with shipboard or remote operational environments.
• Proven track record of successfully migrating legacy systems to modern architectures, including significant experience in large‑scale system replacement projects.
• Experience leading and mentoring geographically dispersed or cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Familiarity with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and orchestration in an on‑premise context.
• Strong understanding of cybersecurity principles and data privacy regulations relevant to shipboard and guest data.
• Experience with real‑time data processing, synchronization challenges, and resilient system design in intermittent connectivity environments.
• Demonstrated ability to drive cultural change and adoption of new technologies and methodologies through influence and collaboration.
• Practical experience in applying AI/ML concepts or tooling to optimize software development processes (e.g., code generation, testing, analysis).

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, or a comparable field, or equivalent work experience.
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Certifications in relevant architecture frameworks, cloud platforms, or AI/ML technologies are a plus.

Compensation & Benefits

The hiring range for this position in Orlando, FL is $175,500 to $235,400 per year. The base pay will be determined by internal equity and may vary based on geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Bonuses, long‑term incentive units, and a comprehensive benefits package (medical, financial, and other benefits) may also be provided.

Location

Celebration, FL, USA

Employment Type

Full time