Senior Software Engineer - Java

The Walt Disney Company; Glendale, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 199,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company’s Content Platforms Engineering team is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to help build and scale a shared service platform that powers Disney’s streaming and content delivery.

You will design multi-layer distributed systems, participate in API strategies, and collaborate with teams to ensure performance and reliability across services such as Disney+. The role requires 5+ years and proficiency in Java or similar, with AWS experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant industry experience.
• Familiarity with AWS and its core services (S3, Lambda, EC2).
• Experience with at least one database system (SQL, MongoDB, OpenSearch).
• Experience with messaging technology such as Apache Kafka.
• Experience with software development best practice, including functional or object oriented programming, data structures, and algorithms.
• Exposure to full lifecycle of application development, including best practices of unit testing, code reviews, documentation, etc.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in at least one core programming language (e.g., Java, Kotlin, Python, or JavaScript) for building reliable and maintainable software solutions. • Experience working with microservices and REST APIs

Responsibilities

• Participate in the design and implementation of multi-layered distributed systems delivering reliable software solutions at scale
• Collaborate & troubleshoot in the analysis and resolution of engineering problems involving distributed services and APIs
• Oversee service performance, scalability, and event planning requirements
• Provide guidance and enforcement of development practices and processes. Review code and work with team members to ensure product and design specifications are met
• Research and learn new technologies

Skills

5+ years experience

Distributed systems

REST APIs

Java or Kotlin or Python

AWS core services

SQL / MongoDB / OpenSearch

Kafka

Unit testing & code reviews

Self-starter

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Job description

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Senior Software Engineer - Java

Job ID 10150849 Location Glendale, California, United States / Bristol, Connecticut, United States Business Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology Date posted Oct. 08, 2026

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology

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.

Content Platforms & Operations is responsible for the development and ongoing advancement of the technical and operational functions driving the worldwide distribution and monetization of Disney’s linear networks and theatrical content. This includes Disney’s media supply chain and storage, network and theatrical distribution operations, media localization, network transmission and origination, and more. The global team also plays a critical role as the primary collaboration point for Product & Technology with Disney’s EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regional business teams.

Job Summary

Content Platforms Engineering is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to help build and innovate a world class shared service platform to support content delivery for brands such as Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, ABC, Marvel and Star Wars. Our team of talented software engineers builds and manages a diverse suite of products and services that advance Disney’s media supply chain powering some of the most watched entertainment content. You will help to define platform capabilities, design and implement product solutions, while balancing complexity, speed of implementation, and expandability.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the design and implementation of multi-layered distributed systems delivering reliable software solutions at scale
• Collaborate & troubleshoot in the analysis and resolution of engineering problems involving distributed services and APIs
• Oversee service performance, scalability, and event planning requirements
• Provide guidance and enforcement of development practices and processes. Review code and work with team members to ensure product and design specifications are met
• Research and learn new technologies

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years relevant industry experience
• Familiarity with AWS and its core services (S3, Lambda, EC2).
• Experience with at least one database system (SQL, MongoDB, OpenSearch) ● Experience with messaging technology such as Apache Kafka.
• Experience with software development best practice, including functional or object oriented programming, data structures, and algorithms.
• Exposure to full lifecycle of application development, including best practices of unit testing, code reviews, documentation, etc.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in at least one core programming language (e.g., Java, Kotlin, Python, or JavaScript) for building reliable and maintainable software solutions. ● Experience working with microservices and REST APIs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Video Streaming and Playback
• Experience with DRM technologies

Required Education

• B.S in Computer Science or related field preferred.

The hiring range for this position in Seattle, WA is $148,700 to $199,400 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.

About Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology:

At Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology, we’re blending imagination and innovation to reimagine the ways people experience and engage with the world’s most beloved stories and products. Our work is wide-ranging and deeply sophisticated. We create amazing experiences, transform the future of media, and build products and platforms that enable the connection between people everywhere and the stories and sports they love.

Disney’s ability to marry world‑class technology with one‑of‑a‑kind creativity makes us unique. It is at the heart of our past, present, and future. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world‑class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Disney Entertainment & Sports LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology.

Disney Entertainment & Sports LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. 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.

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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. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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