Lead Software Engineer - Python Backend
Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology is a global organization of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, data scientists, and more all working to build and advance the technological backbone for Disney's media business globally.
The team marries technology with creativity to build world-class products, enhance storytelling, and drive velocity, innovation, and scalability for our businesses. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers. We work with every part of The Walt Disney Company's media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touch points serving millions of people around the world.
Here are a few reasons why we think you'd love working here :
- Building the future of Disney's media : Our Technologists are designing and building the products and platforms that will power our media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.
- Reach, Scale & Impact : More than ever, Disney's technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans' connections with the company's brands and stories. Disney+. Hulu. ESPN. ABC. ABC Newsand many more. These products and brands and the unmatched stories, storytellers, and events they carry matter to millions of people globally.
- Innovation : We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and solve complex and distinctive technical problems.
Ad Platforms is responsible for Disney's industry-leading ad technology and products driving advertising performance, innovation, and value in Disney's sports, news, and entertainment content, across all media platforms.
Job Summary :
As a Lead Software Engineer, you will be assuming a pivotal role within our team, helping shape the future of our AI-powered foundational services within the Quote-to-Cash space. You will be responsible for guiding the technical direction of our team and ensuring the delivery of high-quality AI solutions that meet the needs of our user base.
The ideal candidate should be proficient in Python, LangChain, SQL, Terraform, and have deep expertise designing Agentic Architectures. They must combine engineering skills with strong communication skills to work with stakeholders to turn business requirements into efficient, scalable features.
While The Walt Disney Company is a large company, ideally, we'd like if you have some previous experience in a U.S. startup environment and be comfortable performing multiple roles. We strive to get things done quickly, at high quality, and we are committed to the agile methodology. Our work is guided by lean principles (looking at value and looking for waste; not doing anything 'for the sake of doing it')."
We're looking for a passionate technical expert who wants to come here to do their very best work and make their mark, adding their chapter to the long and storied history of The Walt Disney Company. Someone who holds themselves and their team accountable in a professional, collaborative manner. A collaborative technologist who seeks to bring the best out in themselves and their team. Someone who can provide guidance, a fresh perspective, and innovative insight into our initiatives.
Responsibilities and Duties of the Role :
Lead full-cycle software developmentfrom requirements to deployment, maintenance, and supportCollaborate in agile, cross-functional teams to build scalable, high-quality softwareDesign and deploy microservices with strong focus on inter-service communication and data consistencyApply advanced expertise in Django / FastAPI, Python, SQL / NoSQL, serverless architecture, and secure API designGuide engineers through mentorship, technical reviews, and architectural decisionsDrive engineering best practices, continuous improvement, and operational tooling enhancementsCommunicate project status and risks to leadership while fostering a culture of support and innovationCollaborate with stakeholders to translate requirements into functional solutionsTroubleshoot complex issues and maintain clear technical documentationRequired Experience :
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field7+ years of experience in enterprise web application development using modern frameworksStrong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skillsDeep expertise in Python, Django / FastAPI, and core libraries (e.g., django-ninja-extra, pydantic, pytest, ruff, sphinx)Proficient in Postgres, SQL / NoSQL databases, and serverless architectureExperienced with Kafka, Kinesis, Redis, and building scalable, highly available servicesSkilled in AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, CI / CD, and infrastructure tools like Terraform, Spinnaker, IAM, ALBFamiliar with observability tools such as DataDogCommitted to quality engineering and testable code practicesExperienced in Agile / Lean teams, adaptable to evolving technologies and requirementsAligns technical decisions with business goals and values craftsmanship in software developmentPreferred Experience :
Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or related technical discipline is highly desirable.Experience creating performant User Interfaces leveraging HTML / CSS / JS and React or other frameworks.Experience with AI (GenAI, LangChain, RAG, Machine Learning)Previous work experience in digital advertisingExperience working with vendor teams to deliver high quality resultsStrong curiosity about how Disney delivers the Magic and a desire to be a part of itDISNEYTECH