Principal Software Engineer

Job Title: Principal Software Engineer - Artificial Intelligence

Job Summary

The Office of Technology Enablement is a strategic organization designed to establish Disney as a progressive, innovative, and responsible leader in important and fast-moving areas of technology such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality. The organization coordinates efforts in AI/ML and mixed reality across each of the Walt Disney Company’s business segments to enable value and drive business outcomes.

We are seeking an exceptional Principal Software Engineer specializing in Artificial Intelligence to join Disney Studios AI and Machine Learning Center and lead AI initiatives across the Studios in partnership with various lines of business within the Studio. In this role, you will define and execute our AI/ML technical strategy, collaborating with business and technical leaders to develop and implement tailored AI solutions and services that enhance operations, improve decision-making, streamline creative workflows, and boost productivity. In your role as an AI thought leader, you will utilize state-of -the-art technologies and approaches to solve intricate business problems and boost our competitive advantages.

Responsibilities

AI Strategy and Roadmap

• Define and execute an AI strategy and roadmap aligned with Company business goals.

Design and Development

• Lead the design and development of sophisticated AI systems, algorithms, and technologies to improve business performance and operational efficiency.
• Develop and deploy AI solutions such as process automation, predictive analytics, and natural language processing to optimize operational workflows.
• Regularly review code, system designs, and AI models to ensure high standards and adherence to best practices within the team.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities for applying AI technologies in streamlining processes and enhancing decision-making capabilities.
• Work closely with stakeholders to gather requirements, prioritize projects, and ensure successful implementation of AI solutions that meet business objectives.
• Offer deep technical guidance to engineers and data scientists, helping them overcome challenges in AI modeling, data engineering, and algorithm development.

Research and Innovation

• Conduct cutting-edge research and experimentation to explore new AI technologies, tools, and methodologies applicable to business problems.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in AI development to drive continuous improvement and innovation.

System Optimization

• Optimize AI systems for performance, scalability, and efficiency across various platforms and hardware configurations.

Mentorship and Team Development

• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in AI engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field; Master's or Ph.D. in AI or related field is highly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in AI development, including at least 3 years in a leadership role overseeing AI teams and projects, with a focus on business operations, process automation, and productivity enhancement.
• Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI development, such as Python, C++, or Java.  Familiarity with cloud-based AI platforms (e.g. Google Vertex, Azure Cognitive Services) to reflect modern development environments.
• Extensive experience with AI frameworks and libraries, including TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Unity ML-Agents and experience with MLOps for managing models in production.
• Strong understanding of AI concepts, algorithms, and techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, and predictive analytics.
• Experience with Continuous Delivery, Continuous Integration, and distributed large-scale data processing.
• Comprehensive understanding of Machine Learning project lifecycles.
• Excellent problem-solving and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into innovative technical solutions.
• Proven track record of leading, scaling, and implementing successful AI initiatives in large-scale enterprise environments, demonstrating a strategic approach to AI adoption and integration.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $184,300.00-$247,100.00 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.