Sr Software Engineer - Content Platform Engineering

Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 138,900 - 186,200; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Company is seeking a Senior Software Engineer to join the Content Platform Engineering team in Glendale, CA. You will design and implement scalable media inspection pipelines leveraging computer vision and ML workflows to enable automated asset analysis for Disney’s vast media distribution network.

You will build end-to-end pipelines, leverage cloud infrastructure, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver robust platform services powering Disney+, ESPN+, and other

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Proficient in at least one core language (Java, Python, or JavaScript).
• Experience with REST APIs or GraphQL.
• Experience with AWS and core services (S3, Lambda, EC2).
• Solid understanding of software design principles, algorithms, and data structures.
• Experience with Docker, GitLab CI, Terraform/CloudFormation, and Jenkins.
• Experience with Kubernetes.
• Experience with data stores like MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, Postgres, and DynamoDB.
• Experience in Agile/Scrum methodology.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Write, test, and deploy high-quality software solutions.
• Collaborate with platform engineers, product teams, and data scientists to support business goals and content strategies.
• Monitor production systems, ensuring platform stability, performance, and uptime.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering collaboration and learning.

Skills

Java

Python

JavaScript

REST APIs

GraphQL

AWS

Agile/Scrum

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or equivalent

Tools

Docker

GitLab CI

Terraform

CloudFormation

Jenkins

Kubernetes

MongoDB

Redis

Elasticsearch

PostgreSQL

DynamoDB

Job description

Department/Group Overview

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.

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

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Software Engineer to join our Content Platform Engineering team, focusing on building and enhancing platform capabilities with a strong emphasis on computer vision and machine learning (ML) workflows. Our team develops and manages a diverse suite of products and services that power Disney’s media supply chain, enabling content delivery for iconic brands like Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, ABC, Marvel, and Star Wars.

In this role, you will design and implement scalable systems, data pipelines, and platform services that deliver automated inspection, validation, and enrichment of media assets. You will be responsible for building end‑to‑end media inspection pipelines that leverage computer vision to streamline content analysis and inspection. Leveraging modern software engineering practices and cloud infrastructure, you will build robust, extensible platforms that enable intelligent content operations at scale.

Responsibilities

• Write and Maintain Software Solutions: Design, write, test, and deploy high‑quality code to develop reliable, maintainable software solutions.
• Collaborate with Cross‑Functional Teams: Work closely with platform engineers, product teams, and data scientists to ensure technical solutions effectively support business goals and content strategies.
• Production Support: Monitor and optimize production systems, ensuring platform stability, performance, and uptime.
• Mentorship: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training

Basic Qualifications

• 5+ years relevant industry experience
• Proficiency in at least one core programming language (e.g., Java, Python, or JavaScript)
• Experience working with REST APIs or GraphQL for building and consuming web services.
• Experience with cloud platforms like AWS and their core services (e.g., S3, Lambda, EC2).
• Solid understanding of software design principles, algorithms, and data structures.
• Experience with build and deployment technologies such as Docker, Gitlab‑CI, Terraform/Cloud formation, and Jenkins
• Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Expertise with full lifecycle of application development, including best practices of unit testing, code reviews, documentation, etc.
• Experience with a wide range of data store technologies such as MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, Postgres, and DynamoDB
• Experience in Agile/Scrum methodology
• Team player with strong oral and written communications skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit‑learn) or building AI/ML solutions.
• Familiar with machine learning model training
• Familiar with prompt engineering and interacting with LLMS
• Experience integrating machine learning models into production systems, including working with data pipelines and AI‑driven solutions.
• Previous work experience in media or entertainment technology, particularly in content distribution and media supply chain.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or comparable field of study, and/or equivalent work experience.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA and Bristol, CT is $138,900 to $186,200 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.