Sr Product Software Engineer

The Walt Disney Company; Santa Monica, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company in Santa Monica, California, is seeking a Sr Product Software Engineer to design and implement tier-1 microservices in Java, and to build core backend components for the Unified Messaging Platform. This role emphasizes scalable, cloud-based data transformations and end-to-end feature ownership.

You will participate in Agile ceremonies, contribute to code reviews, and partner with Product, Design, QA and Operations to deliver robust architectures.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience building internet-scale web or services applications.
• Experience in a Java and JVM environment (Scala/Kotlin).
• Familiarity with AWS services (S3, SQS, Lambda, CloudWatch).
• Proficiency with CI/CD tools (Jenkins, Github Actions, Spinnaker).
• Experience with Relational and NoSQL databases (Postgres, MySQL, DynamoDB, Cassandra).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement tier-1 microservices in Java.
• Design core backend components for the Unified Messaging Platform.
• Implement asynchronous processes to run in the cloud for various data transformations.
• Work on tech design for initiatives and projects as per business needs.
• Be involved in code reviews and architecture reviews for team members.
• Participate in Agile SCRUM processes and ceremonies.
• Provide on-call support for critical services on rotation.
• Own features end-to-end with high quality and robust architecture.
• Collaborate with Product Managers, Designers, QA, Operations, and other stakeholders.
• Ramp up on new domains and technologies.

Skills

Java

Kotlin

Scala

AWS

Docker

ECS

S3

CI/CD

Jenkins

Github Actions

Spinnaker

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering or related field

Tools

AWS

Docker

Jenkins

Github Actions

Spinnaker

EC2/Lambda/CloudWatch

Job description

Location When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.

Sr Product Software Engineer

Job ID 10157299 Location Santa Monica, California, United States Business Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology Date posted Oct. 09, 2026

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

A few reasons why we’d love working for Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.

Lifecycle Messaging

• Lifecycle Messaging’s mission is to create and deliver scaled, customer centric multi-channel messaging experiences across the customer journey that drive impact in the form of engagement, revenue growth, customer delight & brand trust. Our platform, the Unified Messaging Platform helps us to inform, engage, and delight our guests.

Job Summary:

• Design and implement tier-1 microservices in Java
• Design core, backend software components for the Unified Messaging Platform
• Implement asynchronous processes to run in the cloud for various data transformation operations.
• Work on tech design for various initiatives and projects as per business needs.
• Be involved in code reviews and architecture reviews for team members.
• Participate in Agile methodology and SCRUM processes such as Sprint Planning, Backlog grooming, Daily Standups, and Retrospectives with the team.
• Provide on-call support for critical services on a rotational basis.
• Own features/functionality and deliver projects end-to-end with high quality and robust architecture.
• Communicate and work with multi-functional business partners.
• Ramp up on new domains and technologies.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

Lead the design & enhancement of critical services in UMP, ensuring scalability, performance, and reliability. Research and integrate new technologies into the production environment to optimize core service offerings.

Promote and support Agile methodologies such as Scrum, Kanban, and Scrumban by actively participating in regular ceremonies such as stand-up, retrospectives and sprint planning.

Provide technical guidance to junior team members, covering code quality, system design and best practices in software development. Actively participate in code reviews, offering constructive feedback to improve code quality, system reliability, and performance

Collaborate with your squad, Product Managers, Designers, QA, Operations, and other stakeholders to understand requirements and articulate technical decisions and outcomes.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience building internet-scale web or services applications
• Experience in a Java and/or alternative JVM application development environments (Scala/Kotlin)
• Familiarity with the AWS environment (awareness of ECS (Docker), S3, EC2, Lambda, CloudWatch, etc)
• Solid understanding with software development fundamentals
• Proficiency with writing unit, integration and functional tests
• Experience with Relational and NoSQL Databases like Postgres, MySql, DynamoDB, Cassandra
• Proficiency with standard CI/CD procedures & tools like Jenkins, Github Actions, Spinnaker
• Familiarity with service APIs and/or SDKs
• Understanding of agile processes, software version control & project management tools (e.g. Github, SVN, Jira, Basecamp)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or certification with AWS services, including S3, SQS, SNS, Kinesis, Lambda, CloudWatch, or other cloud platforms (Azure, GCP)
• Familiarity with big data technologies & tools like Spark, Databricks, EMR
• Familiarity with Terraform or other infrastructure as code tooling
• Experience building scalable, fault-tolerant, high-uptime systems
• Creative and inventive problem solving
• Desire and initiative to mentor other developers

Bonus Qualifications:

• Experience with SES or Salesforce Marketing Cloud
• Experience with Serverless solutions
• Familiarity with the Scala programming language and the Python programming language

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.

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles is $144,100 to $193,200 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.

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‑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.

To learn more about Disney's policies on the use of AI for candidates, click here.

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

Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company.

Heroes Work Here

Heroes Work Here reflects the long history of respect and appreciation Disney has for the U.S. Armed Services. We recognize the commitment and dedication it takes to serve your country, both as military personnel and military spouses, and value the leadership skills and sense of purpose it has instilled in you.

Learn more