Director, Software Engineering - Emerging Technology

Job ID 10143046 Location Orlando, Florida, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Mar. 02, 2026

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Job Summary:

This position will report to the SVP, Products & Experiences and based in Orlando, Florida.

Emerging Tech & Product is where Disney Experiences (DX) identifies, prioritizes, explores, tests, and productizes the cutting edge technologies shaping our future. We leverage deep technical expertise and strategic rigor to identify high impact opportunities and turn them into scalable, value-driving solutions. The Director, Software Engineering is responsible for our early stage innovation pipeline, in close partnership with Emerging Product as well as business and technology leaders throughout the Parks, Experiences, and Products segment.

As Director, Software Engineering, you will lead the management of the Emerging Tech Labs, with a focus on driving business value through three primary areas: 1) managing relationships with external partners to foster innovation and collaboration; 2) overseeing stakeholder testing to validate concepts, user experience, and business value; and 3) directing engineering efforts to evaluate both vendor and internal solutions through proof-of-concept development and testing.

This role provides managerial oversight to engineers on the Emerging Technology team and serves as a technical thought leader across the organization. As the steward of our early stage innovation pipeline, your focus will be on producing well-documented insights, validated prototypes, technical evaluations, and architectural guidance that can be directly applied by delivery teams and the Emerging Tech Initial Tech Implementation team to accelerate implementation and reduce risk. You will ensure that all work is rigorously prioritized and aligned with the approved quarterly Emerging Product opportunity map, and that sound engineering and architectural practices are consistently followed.

You will be accountable for ensuring that the Emerging Technology portfolio generates actionable outcomes that inform strategic decision-making and enable downstream teams. Success in this role is measured by the clarity and quality of technology evaluations, the effectiveness of knowledge transfer, and the ability to clearly articulate and quantify the business value derived from early-stage innovation efforts. A strong blend of technical fluency, business acumen, and design thinking is essential.

Additionally, you will represent EmTech Labs in cross-functional and executive forums partnering closely with office of technology enablement and WDI R&D. You must be able to clearly communicate the team’s insights, vision, and progress, and translate complex technical concepts into accessible narratives for senior technology leadership, including C-level executives. Your ability to connect emerging technology work to tangible business outcomes will be critical in driving alignment and support across the enterprise.

Responsibilities

Lead the Emerging Technology (EmTech), with responsibility for managing the EmTech Labs.

Guide the exploration and evaluation of emerging technologies in alignment with the quarterly Emerging Product prioritized opportunity map.

Oversee the development of proofs of concept and stakeholder testing to validate technical feasibility, user experience, and business value.

Facilitate the transfer of validated insights, prototypes, and technical guidance to delivery teams and the Initial Tech Implementation team.

Engage with key stakeholders, users, and partners to ensure alignment, gather feedback, and support early-stage validation efforts.

Communicate emerging technology strategies, findings, and recommendations to senior executives, translating complex concepts into actionable insights.

Manage sponsor and stakeholder expectations, ensuring transparency around scope, outcomes, and value realization.

Provide technical leadership to the Emerging Technology team, ensuring adherence to sound engineering and architectural practices.

Basic Qualifications

Expert innovation leader with experience managing specialized, diverse teams pursuing challenging and ambiguous goals

12+ years of commercial software development experience with at least 8 years managing medium to large technology projects.

5 years experience in delivering projects involving emerging tech such as Mobile/Wearables, IoT, Game Engines, CV, NLP, and Advanced ML

Track record of leading and driving initiatives to the next level, with a focus on delivering business value.

Able to decompose complex problems and help teams create clarity out of ambiguous or conflicting requirements

Ability to simultaneously manage teams on multiple engineering projects of significant complexity

Proven track record in delivering projects on time and budget

Highly flexible and adaptable – can be dropped into new assignments and teams, and quickly demonstrate mastery

Ability to manage projects in a complex stakeholder environment

Preferred Qualifications

Recent experience in delivering next generation projects using emerging technologies such as CV, NLP, ML, IoT, Recommendations and Predictions, Robotics and Automation, Game Engines, Mixed Reality, Mobile and Wearables, advanced Security and Privacy, Wireless Networks (5G)

Proven professional networking among technology companies in Silicon Valley

Required Education

BS or MS in Computer Science or equivalent quantitative field OR equivalent experience

Preferred Education

MSCS/Engineering or related work experience

#DISNEYTECH

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

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 Attractions Technology LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC 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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