WDI Show Control Software Intern, Spring 2027

Disney Cruise Line - The Walt Disney Company; Lake Buena Vista (FL); On-site; Confidential; Full time

Job summary

Walt Disney Imagineering is seeking a Show Software Engineering Intern to contribute to attraction and show systems. You will develop software for guest interactive experiences, design system architectures, and help test and document software for maintenance and future releases, while staying current with new technologies.

The internship runs Jan 2027–Jun 2027 and may be located in Glendale, CA or Orlando, FL, with opportunities to collaborate across teams and deliver impactful entertainment

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an accredited college/university pursuing an engineering or science degree.
• Must be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the U.S.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Develop software for guest interactive systems and lead small projects.
• Create system requirements, software specs, and module designs.
• Contribute to software testing, documentation, and release processes.
• Stay updated on technologies to reduce development costs.

Skills

Real-time programming

C/C++

Visual C

C#

Python/JS/Ruby

Education

Engineering or Science degree

Electronic Engineering or Computer Science degree

Tools

.NET

PowerShell

Unity/Unreal

Chef

MatLab

Windows deployment

Job description

About the Role & Program

Be a part of an innovative team and culture…

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

The approximate date of this internship is January 2027 - June 2027 and could be located in Glendale, CA or Orlando, FL.

What You Will Do

A Show Software Engineering Intern who will work within the department that performs Software Engineering activities related to attractions, show and park/resort wide electronic systems. As an intern on the team you will have the opportunity to…

• Develop software for guest interactive systems, leading the software effort for “small” projects, or participating as a member of a software team for projects involving more than one engineer
• This includes developing and reviewing system requirements; assisting in developing software specifications, and system architectures; designing software at a module level, producing data flow diagrams, and/or other design documentation; and developing code and software test plans
• Also includes participating in software and system testing efforts, producing software documentation at a level that will allow other software engineers to maintain the system, producing user documentation to describe system operation, and releasing software
• Keep abreast of new technologies/methodologies that could reduce the cost of developing or maintaining systems
• Provide input to software engineering manpower and schedule planning for personal activities in support of estimating activities
• Provide input to interface requirements between controls and show mechanical and audio element
• Develop and review specifications, scopes of work, Test and Adjust plans and procedures
• Verify software performance against requirements
• Review final Test and Adjust and acceptance testing documentation against deliverables
• Support Show System operator and maintenance training
• Present project updates to Functional and Project Management
• Initiate and maintain extensive contact with key engineers and officials of other organizations and companies

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Scientific or real-time programming skills (PLC’s, C/C++/Visual C, C#, Python/JavaScript/Ruby)
• Technologies experience (.Net, PowerShell, Unity / Unreal, Chef, MatLab, Windows / Software Deployment Knowledge)
• Problem analysis and resolution skills
• Understanding of software engineering principles
• Understanding of control systems and software systems
• Must possess a valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

• 1 year relevant work experience or internship
• Experience with human interface devices (touchscreens, Kinect, real world sensing)
• Broadcast engineering or film industry tools development
• Knowledge of WDI Standards and/or Industry Standards
• Understanding of circuits, relays, and serial communication

Required Education

Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an accredited college/university, earning a degree or equivalent in engineering or science discipline

Preferred Education

Electronic Engineering or Computer Science degree

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:

• Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Possess unrestricted work authorization
• Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program.

Additional Information

• Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work
• Must be fully available for the duration of the internship

• Current Disney Interns, College, International, or Culinary Program Participants: You may only work for ONE consecutive year (12 months) in any combination of an internship and/or program. This means:

• If you arrived in May 2026 or later, you are eligible to apply.
• If you arrived before May 2026, you are not eligible for this internship because it will put you over the one-year program/internship maximum length.
• FOR FLORIDA: We provide limited housing opportunities for Florida Based Professional Interns through American Campus Communities, for more information
• FOR CALIFORNIA: You must be able to provide own housing for the duration internship program in the Glendale, CA area

The pay rate for this role in Glendale, CA and Orlando, FL is $43 per hour for undergraduate students. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.