Sr. Technical Project Manager

Job ID 10147667 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Apr. 21, 2026

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Team

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life. Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion. 

At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and develop innovative tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. R&D is a team of engineers, designers, artists, and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems and building ground-breaking experiences.  You will use your unique combination of skills to bring teams together around a vision and determine how to make them real.  Your strong technical, organizational, and interpersonal skills remove roadblocks for the team to build prototypes that will inform and inspire.

The Senior R&D Technical Project Manager will report to the Director of Technical Project Management.

This role is full-time.

What You Will Do

Translate Vision into Execution

Partner with project lead(s) to break down project vision into specific scopes, deliverables, tasks, schedules, and budgets
Develop and continuously refine plans for proof-of-concept mockups balancing time, budget, scope, and evolving objectives
Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities to maintain momentum and clarity
Tailor and deliver communications, updates, and presentations to diverse audiences, including team members, vendors, and leadership

Drive Prototype Development and Delivery

Project manage multiple projects simultaneously, driving prioritization, execution, and communication while maintaining deadlines and quality
Own project schedules, task lists and financials, managing budgets across resources, vendors, materials, software, and playtesting
Plan and execute playtests and events, capturing insights and incorporating feedback into future iterations

Apply Technical Judgment and Manage Risk

Engage in discussions on technical options, solutions, and feasibility assessments
Identify and assess technical risks and project issues, escalating to leadership as needed to maintain project health and momentum

Lead Cross-Functional Teams

Build and manage matrixed teams across creative and technical disciplines, internal studios, and partners to deliver project scope
Foster a collaborative team environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best work
Bridge disciplines by translating across technical and creative perspectives to align teams and accelerate progress
Source and manage vendor relationships, including contracting, execution, and invoicing

Required Qualifications & Skills

Minimum 5 years of experience in robotics, aerospace, artificial intelligence, or embedded systems technologies industries. Minimum of 3 years of project management experience, driving complex technical projects with multiple teams.

Strong technical background, with the ability to quickly assess and understand new technologies and their applications.

Experienced in driving clarity through ambiguous concept development and necessary pivots to address a changing landscape

Experience managing and advancing complex multi-disciplinary projects combining creative and technology elements with excellent attention to detail in a rapidly changing environment.

Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to see the “big picture” while tracking multiple teams, workstreams, deliverables, and milestones.

Ability to drive the transformation of high-level scope/vision into actionable plans and move it forward with regular check-ins.

Creation of production deliverables, including schedules, budgets, scope documents, and presentations.

Strong familiarity with software suites that are used for roadmap development, schedules, task tracking, and budget management, e.g., Excel, Project, Jira, Confluence, GitLab, etc.

Excellent cross-functional collaborator with the ability to build strong partnerships of trust across diverse teams and functions.

Preferred Qualifications

Startup / entrepreneurial experience

Experience working with early development teams and prototype products

Experience with advanced artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and/or sensor fusion

Education

Bachelors Degree in Software Engineering, ML, Architecture or related field

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 about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $141,900 - $190,300 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.

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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 WDI Research & Development, Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

WDI Research & Development, 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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