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Senior R&D Imagineer - Robotic Control Systems Engineer

Job ID 10122807 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Jul. 03, 2025
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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 Imagineers are 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 new 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. As a robotic control systems engineer, you will help create, design, and build dynamic physical characters, immersive environments, and interactive experiences.

This role will report to the Executive R&D Imagineer, Creative Development.

This role is full-time.

What You Will Do

  • Software development for robotic systems that meets functional requirements

  • Work hands-on with robotic hardware systems in a collaborative, dynamic R&D environment

  • Test and iterate on proof-of-concept designs, evolving requirements and designs as the team learns

  • Participate in internal design reviews and reviews with external vendors and fabricators

  • Contribute to the culture and community of the WDI R&D Studio

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • 7+ years’ experience in robotic software systems

  • Intimate knowledge of software stack anatomy for bipedal and quadrupedal robotic systems

  • Experience prototyping real-world mobile and/or legged robots

  • Comfortable and proficient as a hands-on engineer with robotic hardware

  • Realtime control system design experience

  • Model-based control - Model Predictive Control (MPC), Model Adaptive Control, linear and nonlinear

  • State Estimation and/or System Identification

  • Wheeled and legged locomotion

  • Experience with physics-based simulators and rigid body dynamics

  • Experience implementing serial communication protocols and low-level control of actuators and devices (CAN, EtherCAT, RS485, etc.)

  • Experience with embedded serial communication protocols (SPI, I2C, etc.)

  • Sub-systems integration experience across the SW stack (UI, controls, wireless, etc.)

  • Experience with creative tools, animation software, or game development techniques

  • Highly proficient in Python, C++, and Rust

  • Embraces flexibility and adaptability as the team learns through prototyping and playtesting, adjusting strategy as needed

  • Work collaboratively with other technical and creative disciplines

  • Ability to provide clear direction and feedback to other team members

  • Thinks strategically and creatively to solve challenges

  • Manages & prioritizes multiple assignments in a highly dynamic R&D environment

  • Demonstrates a desire to constantly improve and adapt to new technologies

Preferred Qualifications

  • Learning-based control (i.e. reinforcement learning, imitation learning)

  • Perception (vision/LiDAR)

  • Autonomous system design, real-time navigation, path and motion planning

  • Human-robotic interaction

Education

Bachelor’s degree (MS preferred) or equivalent in a robotics-related field, preferably computer software or mechanical engineering.

Additional Information

This role is located in Glendale, CA.

Benefits and Perks: 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 $152,200 to $204,100 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.

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. 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.

Hiring Process

  • Where Does Your Story Begin?

    Explore Disney Careers and the Life at Disney blog to learn about all the amazing opportunities waiting to be discovered at The Walt Disney Company.

  • Be Part of the Story

    There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application.

  • The Next Chapter

    Once you've applied, you will receive an email allowing you to access your candidate dashboard. Create your login and make sure to check your dashboard often to see your application progress.

Explore this Location Glendale, CA

The Los Angeles County city is home to authentic Middle Eastern food, culture, and its very own “Walk of Fame.”

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