Staff Systems Engineer, Data Streaming

Disney Cruise Line - The Walt Disney Company; Emeryville (CA); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Pixar is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to join our Data Systems Engineering team in Emeryville. You will support Kafka infrastructure, manage our Perforce‑based asset version control system, and help define a strategic vision for the studio's data services.

Collaborate with production and engineering teams, mentor teammates, and lead large projects to completion. You will participate in on‑call rotations, troubleshoot complex Linux environments, and communicate highly technical concepts to

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience implementing, maintaining and supporting mission‑critical services on Linux.
• Expertise administering Kafka or other data streaming services.
• Scripting in Python or shell to automate tasks.
• Strong Linux systems engineering with IaC (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform, etc.).
• Experience collaborating and mentoring teammates.
• Strong problem‑solving and willingness to pitch in beyond your domain.
• Ability to lead large projects to completion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication of highly‑technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Migrate Kafka infrastructure back to on‑prem management and own ongoing operations.
• Manage the digital asset version control system using Perforce P4.
• Shape strategic direction of data streaming with internal/external teams.
• Collaborate to provide first‑rate service to the studio.
• Coordinate machine configuration, security and patching with other Systems teams.
• Troubleshoot complex Linux environments.
• Participate in on‑call rotation for vital services.

Skills

Linux systems engineering

Kafka administration

Scripting (Python or shell)

Infrastructure as code

Collaboration & mentoring

Project leadership

Communication skills

Tools

Perforce P4

Elasticsearch

Splunk

Oracle DB

Job description

Pixar is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to join our Data Systems Engineering (DSE) team! The DSE team builds, maintains, and supports vital studio systems, including data streaming services, asset version control systems and critical databases. Your focus will be supporting our Kafka infrastructure as well as partnering with the team to administer our asset version control system. You will also work to define and communicate a strategic vision for the team’s data systems that supports studio goals. By joining our team, you’ll contribute meaningfully to the production process, partnering with studio stakeholders to ensure our data services support both technical innovation and creative storytelling.

What You’ll Do

• Create and implement a strategy to migrate our Kafka infrastructure back to on-prem management, and own ongoing operations including maintenance, upgrades and support.
• Support filmmaking pipelines by managing our digital asset version control system, built on Perforce P4.
• Work with internal production and engineering teams, along with external vendors, to shape the strategic direction of Pixar’s data streaming offerings via resource planning, best practice recommendations and industry analysis.
• Collaborate with teammates to create a supportive environment focused on providing first‑rate service to the studio.
• Work with other Systems teams to coordinate on machine configuration, security protocols and patching policies.
• Troubleshoot challenging and complex issues in a Linux environment.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation for vital services.

What You Bring

• 12+ years of experience implementing, maintaining and supporting mission‑critical services on Linux.
• Expertise in administering Kafka or other data streaming services.
• Scripting skills (in Python or shell) that make automation your go‑to.
• Excellent Linux systems engineering skills, including practical knowledge of configuration / infrastructure as code (Ansible, Puppet, Terraform, etc.).
• Experience and enthusiasm for collaboration and mentoring.
• Well‑honed problem‑solving skills, including a willingness to pitch in to resolve issues even if they’re not part of your domain.
• Ability to lead large projects to completion.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate highly‑technical concepts to a non‑technical audience.

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with Perforce P4.
• Experience working with vendor support.
• Experience with other technologies the team manages: Elasticsearch, Splunk, Oracle DB.
• Experience in an Animation or VFX studio environment.
• Experience with operating and securing Cloud‑based services.

Why Pixar?

At Pixar, you’ll tackle meaningful technical challenges while contributing directly to the films that inspire millions. Beyond your technical work, you’ll be part of a vibrant community where Pixarians express themselves through art, board games, maker projects, and more—you might find yourself spinning up new Kafka clusters by day and performing with your band at Pixarpalooza by night.

Please include a cover letter with your application.

The hiring range for this position in Emeryville is $180,115.00 to $233,090.00 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.