Staff Software Engineer

Disney; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 158,000 - 212,000; Full time

Job summary

The Walt Disney Studios in Glendale, California seeks a Staff Software Engineer to build AI-enabled infrastructure for the Studio Digital Supply Chain. This senior role blends backend engineering, workflows, and AI to deliver scalable services powering mastering, localization, and delivery across media platforms.

You will design and implement API gateways and microservices, mentor engineers, and influence governance and observability across complex production systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field or equivalent years of related work experience
• 7+ years of backend or systems engineering experience, with at least 2 years building AI-powered or workflow-centric platforms
• Proficient in Java, Python, or Node.js, with deep understanding of testing, observability, and systems at scale
• Production experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, and container orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes
• Hands-on experience deploying infrastructure via Terraform, CDK, or similar infrastructure-as-code frameworks
• Experience building or integrating workflow engines, ideally in LLM or GenAI contexts
• Clear, structured communication skills and a track record of technical leadership in cross-functional teams

Responsibilities

• Design and build API gateways, wrappers, and middleware services that expose studio systems and data to AI agents
• Manage secure access to tools, metadata, and content systems through model context protocol (MCP)
• Standardize how agents’ interface with internal services across the supply chain
• Deploy agentic platforms such as LangGraph or LangChain to manage tool execution, context routing, and decision logic
• Implement tracing, audit logging, and governance checkpoints including human approval and fallback paths
• Integrate orchestration into media workflows such as mastering, localization, and delivery
• Translate prototypes into production-ready microservices using Java, TypeScript, or Python, deployed via Kubernetes and managed through CI/CD pipelines
• Implement event-driven services using Kafka, EventBridge, or SNS/SQS to support loosely coupled, fault-tolerant communication across services
• Build and maintain APIs with clear contracts, emphasizing reliability, observability, and long-term maintainability
• Work directly with ML engineers, platform teams, and product managers to deliver business-ready AI capabilities
• Contribute to technical planning, system design, and delivery reviews across engineering and product
• Mentor team members and stay current on emerging trends in LLM tooling, orchestration, and agent frameworks

Skills

Backend development

Java

Python

Node.js

AWS

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

CDK

LLM tooling

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

LangGraph

LangChain

OpenAI

Anthropic

Job description

Job ID 10163577 Location Glendale, California, United States Business The Walt Disney Studios Date posted Oct. 30, 2026

The Walt Disney Studios is where unforgettable stories come to life. From theatrical releases to global streaming platforms, our technology enables the creation and delivery of content enjoyed by millions. Behind every frame is a complex, distributed supply chain and a team of engineers building the systems that make it all possible.

Job Description

At Disney, storytelling is powered by technology. As a Staff Software Engineer, you will build the platforms that move our content from production to audience. Join us and contribute to the systems behind some of the most iconic storytelling in the world.

We are in search of a Staff (Lead) Software Engineer to help build the next generation of intelligent infrastructure for the Studio Digital Supply Chain. This role blends expertise in backend software engineering, workflow and AI to design and deliver agentic platforms that support workflows like mastering, localization, and delivery.

This is a hands-on senior engineering role that demands strong execution, adaptability, and comfort working at the pace of evolving AI technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Build AI Middleware:

• Design and build API gateways, wrappers, and middleware services that expose studio systems and data to AI agents.
• Manage secure access to tools, metadata, and content systems through model context protocol (MCP).
• Standardize how agents’ interface with internal services across the supply chain.
• undefined

Build Agentic Workflows:

• Deploy agentic platforms such as LangGraph or LangChain to manage tool execution, context routing, and decision logic.
• Implement tracing, audit logging, and governance checkpoints including human approval and fallback paths.
• Integrate orchestration into media workflows such as mastering, localization, and delivery.

Productize and Optimize AI Services:

• Translate prototypes into production-ready microservices using Java, TypeScript, or Python, deployed via Kubernetes and managed through CI/CD pipelines.
• Implement event-driven services using Kafka, EventBridge, or SNS/SQS to support loosely coupled, fault-tolerant communication across services.
• Build and maintain APIs with clear contracts, emphasizing reliability, observability, and long-term maintainability.

Lead, Collaborate, and Mentor:

• Work directly with ML engineers, platform teams, and product managers to deliver business-ready AI capabilities.
• Contribute to technical planning, system design, and delivery reviews across engineering and product.
• Mentor team members and stay current on emerging trends in LLM tooling, orchestration, and agent frameworks.

Work Experience

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field or equivalent years of related work experience
• 7+ years of backend or systems engineering experience, with at least 2 years building AI-powered or workflow-centric platforms.
• Proficient in Java, Python, or Node.js, with deep understanding of testing, observability, and systems at scale.
• Production experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, and container orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Hands-on experience deploying infrastructure via Terraform, CDK, or similar infrastructure-as-code frameworks.
• Experience building or integrating workflow engines, ideally in LLM or GenAI contexts.
• Clear, structured communication skills and a track record of technical leadership in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field.
• Experience with LLM frameworks and APIs such as LangGraph, LangChain, OpenAI, or Anthropic.
• Background in media, entertainment, or content operations, including localization or post-production workflows.
• Experience building multi-tenant or shared platform services.
• Exposure to Agile delivery practices and DevOps automation at scale.
• Contributions to GenAI open-source projects or internal AI/ML infrastructure tooling.

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Glendale CA is $158,100.00 to $211,900.00 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.

This position is withWalt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we callThe Walt Disney Studios.

To learn more about Disney's guidelines on the use of AI for candidates, click here. (opens in new window)

Walt Disney Pictures is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. 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.

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 (opens in new window) . We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help. (opens in new window)

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.

Hiring Process

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