Software Engineer II

The Walt Disney Company; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 158,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company is hiring a Software Engineer II in Glendale, CA to support and maintain scalable backend systems, APIs, and cloud-based services. You’ll join a team that blends engineering, product, and design to deliver reliable platforms for Disney’s media business.

The role emphasizes strong backend development, cloud expertise (AWS), and collaboration across engineering, product, and QA teams. A BS in CS plus 3+ years of experience is required.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience with cloud-based technologies such as AWS.
• Proficiency in backend development using modern languages and frameworks (Node.js, Python (Django/FastAPI), or Go), with RESTful API, database management (SQL/NoSQL), and server-side architecture.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience with AWS EC2, CloudFront, Lambda, SQS, and S3.
• Ability to analyze and implement bug fixes to resolve reported incidents.
• Understanding of application development lifecycle and best practices (unit testing, code reviews, documentation).
• Strong problem-solving, debugging, and collaboration skills across engineering, product, design, and QA teams.

Responsibilities

• Escalation point for complex issues; investigate anomalies and assist in deploying fixes.
• Understand Systems and their integrations; troubleshoot REST APIs and microservices.
• Participate in peer code reviews for secure and efficient solutions.
• Monitor platform performance; follow CI/CD processes for releases.
• Contribute to cross-functional troubleshooting and incident management.
• Provide technical guidance and KT to L1/L2 engineers.
• Collaborate with vendor teams and internal stakeholders on changes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Independent work

Education

BS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

AWS

Node.js

Python

Go

REST API design

SQL/NoSQL databases

CI/CD pipelines

React/Angular (frontend)

Job description

Department/Group Overview

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.

• 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

As a Software Engineer II, you will leverage your technical and analytical skills to support and maintain code that delivers new features for our Systems as well as resolve reported bugs. You will be an important part of a motivated team, actively participating in the triage of reported bugs, the implementation of enhancements, and the improvement of system functionality. Your contributions will also involve ensuring proper system monitoring and alerting, helping to maintain optimal operation and quick response to any issues.

We are looking for someone with strong backend experience and working knowledge of front‑end development who possesses experience supporting and maintaining scalable, reliable systems. The ideal candidate is a highly analytical problem solver with a solid foundation in backend development, experience with APIs, databases, and distributed systems, familiarity with modern front‑end frameworks, cloud technology (AWS) and sound judgement.

Responsibilities And Duties Of The Role

• Act as an escalation point for complex issues. Investigate system anomalies, perform root‑cause analysis, and assist in developing and deploying fixes for production bugs.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of our Systems and their interactions with upstream and downstream dependencies. Support and troubleshoot integrations involving REST APIs, microservices, third‑party SaaS Platforms.
• Participate in peer code reviews to ensure technical solutions are secure, efficient, and aligned with team standards.
• Assist in monitoring fundamental platform performance and scalability. Follow established CI/CD and deployment process to ensure smooth and reliable releases.
• Contribute to cross‑functional troubleshooting of complex issues
• Perform any other duties or technical tasks needed to support overall business objectives and maintain long‑term health of the Applications ecosystem.
• Act as the final technical escalation point for complex production and system issues from L1 and L2 teams
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and deliver permanent resolutions
• Own critical incidents, problem tickets, and major outages
• Design and implement long‑term fixes and preventive solutions
• Collaborate with development, testing, infrastructure, and vendor teams
• Drive automation, performance tuning, and optimization initiatives
• Review and approve solutions, fixes, and changes before production release
• Create and maintain KEDB, SOPs, and technical documentation
• Support change management, release management, and deployments
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and KT to L1/L2 engineers
• Participate in client calls, audits, and governance reviews
• Contribute to process improvements, SLAs, and quality KPIs

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience with cloud-based technologies such as AWS
• Proficiency in backend development using modern languages and frameworks such such as Node.js, Python (Django/FastAPI), or GO, along with strong knowledge of RESTful API design, database management (SQL/NoSQL), and server‑side architecture.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience with cloud-based technologies such as AWS EC2, CloudFront, Lambda, SQS, and S3.
• Ability to analyze and implement bug fixes to resolve reported incidents.
• Understanding of the lifecycle of application development, including best practices of unit testing, code reviews, documentation, etc.
• Enjoy working within a team setting of engineers of varying experience
• Strong problem‑solving, debugging, and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, product, design, and QA teams.
• Strong hands‑on expertise in the relevant technology stack (Application / Cloud)
• Proven experience in production support environment
• Strong understanding of ITIL processes (Incident, Problem, Change)
• Ability to debug, analyze logs, and troubleshoot complex system issues
• Experience with monitoring, alerting, and automation tools
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of critical issues

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in frontend development using modern JavaScript frameworks such as React or Angular along with strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, and responsive design.
• Experience using AI tools such as Github Copilot, Claude Code, or similar tools.
• Prior work experience in media management or digital media distribution operations
• Motivated self‑starter with the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies. Can effectively articulate complex ideas and influence others through well‑reasoned explanations.
• Proactively identify problems and opportunities and recommend solutions.
• Experience working within an Agile environment

Required Education

• BS Computer Science or related technical discipline or its equivalent

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $117,500 - $157,500 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.