Lead Software Developer

Job ID 10142497 Location Glendale, California, United States / Celebration, Florida, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Mar. 16, 2026

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Job Summary:

About the role & team:

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.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

The Walt Disney Imagineering Technology Studio is a product and technology team, driving the “Core Experience” functions and workflows for our internally used Imagineering product portfolio. This team brings various software technologies (both buy and build) into a comprehensive UX tailored to the personalized workflow for every Imagineer. Collectively, these tools and apps power how Imagineering crafts, designs and delivers attractions and experiences around the world.

This is a full-time role that will report to the Mgr – Software Development.

What you will do:

The WDI Technology Studio is looking for a talented Lead Software Developer with experience in full stack, but a passion for backend development to create and deploy the next generation of technologies that will drive our guest experiences in upcoming attractions and venues. If you have an interest and curiosity for AI, this could be the role for you.

Responsibilities:

Partner with project teams to define technical requirements necessary to achieve project goals.
Software estimation, scheduling, planning, design, implementation, and closeout activities for assigned project scope. Must work closely with other technical divisions of work to ensure constructed systems (inclusive of both hardware and software) operate cooperatively and reliably over the expected usable life of the project.
Must balance evolving technical requirements with fixed budgets and schedules and communicate risks and options to both Studio and Project leadership in a timely fashion.
Partner with both Studio and Project leadership to execute project goals while employing best software development practices and adhering to relevant company and industry standards.
Develop and/or maintain multiple complex projects or entire pieces of software both guest facing and internal WDI facing. This includes architecture, design, and implementation.
Work with other software developers and software project leads to provide incremental and overall updates to status and condition of software product progress.
Lead code review initiatives and help define department wide standards and processes.
Mentor peer, early-career developers and provide leadership for implementing best practices and standards for development.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Expertise in one or more modern programming languages, preferably Typescript
Experience with AWS
Familiarity with UI and AI tooling
Knowledge and experience in modern software development practices, including version control and workflow management tools including JIRA, Github, Gitlab, Jenkins, etc.
Demonstrable technical writing, documentation, and communication skills
Proven ability to learn new programming languages and work within complicated systems
Familiarity with software processes such as unit testing and/or automated testing
Willing to travel on behalf of company to project destinations for the purposes of business trips

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or equivalent experience.

Additional Information:

Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $155,700.00-$208,700.00 per year based on a 40-hour work week. The number of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. The base pay offered will consider 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, depending on the level and position offered.

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About Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

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 Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. 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.

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