Lead Software Engineer-AI Licensing & Publishing Systems

At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) is a world-class entertainment and technological leader. Walt's passion was to continuously envision new ways to move audiences around the world-a passion that remains our touchstone in an enterprise that stretches from theme parks, resorts and a cruise line to sports, news, movies and a variety of other businesses. Uniting each endeavor is a commitment to creating and delivering unforgettable experiences - and we're constantly looking for new ways to enhance these exciting experiences.

This role sits within the Technology & Digital organization for Disney Experiences and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams across the company. The Lead Software Engineer will report to the Sr Manager, Technology.

About the Role & Team

We are seeking a visionary Lead Software Engineer to drive the development of scalable, intelligent systems that support licensing financial operations and AI-driven decision-making. This role will be instrumental in shaping the architecture and delivery of next-generation platforms that power financial licensing workflows and predictive analytics.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of software solutions for licensing financial systems and AI-powered applications.
• Architect and implement scalable services that integrate with internal and third-party financial platforms.
• Collaborate with product, finance, and data science teams to define system requirements and deliver intelligent automation.
• Apply machine learning and AI techniques to optimize licensing workflows, forecasting, and compliance monitoring.
• Own the full software development lifecycle, including analysis, design, coding, testing, debugging, and documentation.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of innovation, inclusion, and technical excellence.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in AI, financial systems, and cloud-native development to inform strategic decisions.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

• 7+ years of software engineering experience, including leadership of complex projects.
• Proven experience with financial systems, licensing workflows, or royalty management platforms.
• Hands-on expertise of developing and deploying custom AI solutions using LLMs to automate business processes or improve business outcomes in enterprise environments .
• Excellent programming skills in languages such as Java and Python.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS,GCP) and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Agile development experience and familiarity with CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with licensing systems in media, entertainment, or digital content industries.
• Familiarity with financial compliance standards and audit processes.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Master's degree in Technology is a plus.

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in Glendale California is $150,000-$180,000 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.