Lead Software Engineer

Disney Experiences is seeking a Lead Software Engineer in Orlando, Florida (onsite) to design, build, and operate scalable software and RESTful services with an AI-first and AI-enabled approach across Merchandise and Publishing Technology.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable, secure, and well-documented applications, APIs, and RESTful services for Merchandise and Publishing.
• Remain hands-on across the full delivery lifecycle, from technical specification through release, using Java, Node.js, Angular, AWS/cloud-native platforms, relational and NoSQL databases, and messaging.
• Embed AI coding and assistance tools including GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Amazon Q, Claude, and Kiro across design, coding, code review, testing, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Define standards for prompting, context management, AI-generated code review, security, IP, and engineering quality, with measurement tied to delivery speed, defect rates, and developer experience.
• Design and deliver AI-enabled capabilities such as intelligent search, metadata extraction and validation, AI-assisted PRD and artifact generation, and agentic workflows.
• Assess build-vs-buy options for LLM platforms, APIs, and orchestration frameworks, moving proofs of concept through production.
• Collaborate with application support and SRE teams to improve incident triage, ticket-to-incident automation, knowledge discovery across documentation and JIRA history, root-cause analysis, and proactive risk detection.
• Convert complex business, functional, and technical requirements into solution architecture.
• Partner with Architecture and IT stakeholders to evaluate software, hardware, and SaaS/PaaS options, and to align build-vs-buy decisions and technology roadmaps with reference architecture.
• Maintain reliability of always-on systems through troubleshooting, observability and alerting, incident response, root-cause analysis, and on-call participation.
• Proactively manage risks related to certificates, key management, vendor services, and upstream integrations.
• Set technical expectations for vendor engineering teams, review delivery and engineering quality, and raise risks early.
• Lead code and design reviews, automated testing, and continuous improvement for engineering processes, tooling, and coding practices.
• Work with product owners, Licensing and Publishing stakeholders, delivery managers, business analysts, and engineering teams to align solutions, estimate delivery, and communicate technical decisions and business value.
• Coach engineers on AI-assisted development practices and support adoption across the portfolio.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience building large-scale software systems and web applications, including leading engineering teams and projects and delivering solution and application architecture.
• Strong hands-on experience with Java 21+, Spring, microservices, and RESTful APIs.
• Hands-on Node.js experience developing services and APIs using asynchronous and event-driven patterns.
• Proficiency developing Angular applications, including component architecture, state management, and backend integration.
• Deep experience with DynamoDB, Aurora, MySQL, Kafka, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Demonstrated production use of AI coding assistants and agents including Copilot, Cursor, Amazon Q, Claude, and Kiro, with measurable impact.
• Experience integrating LLMs into applications, including prompt and context design, retrieval-augmented generation, tool/function calling, evaluation, and managing cost and latency using Amazon Bedrock or comparable platforms.
• Experience operating distributed production systems using Splunk, Grafana, or AppDynamics, with ownership of always-on services.
• Proven ability to lead cross-domain architectural initiatives and technical decision-making.
• Experience with enterprise architecture repository tools, including BlueDolphin.
• Hands-on familiarity with AWS, API-led integration, security-by-design, and data architecture principles.
• Strong understanding of object-oriented design, coding best practices, Agile, and Test-Driven Development.
• Ability to independently lead complex projects, set technical direction, solve challenging problems, and guide testing and debugging.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make timely decisions in high-pressure environments.
• Experience working with distributed/remote teams and external vendors.
• Strong mentoring skills, including training, guidance, and review of junior engineers.
• Clear and concise communication skills for summarizing risks, decisions, and next steps for product owners, business partners, and senior leaders.
• Adaptability and comfort in fast-changing, ambiguous environments.

Technologies

Java, Node.js, Angular, AWS, Spring, RESTful APIs, microservices, DynamoDB, Aurora, MySQL, Kafka, Docker, CI/CD, messaging, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Amazon Q, Claude, Kiro, LLMs, Amazon Bedrock, Splunk, Grafana, AppDynamics, BlueDolphin, JIRA, ServiceNow, SaaS/PaaS, ITSM, Agile, Test-Driven Development

Education

Bachelor’s or foreign equivalent degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Software, Electrical or Electronics Engineering, or a comparable field of study, and/or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Disney, media, publishing, licensing, consumer products, or retail/merchandising domains.
• Familiarity with product lifecycle management (PLM), digital asset or rights management, content workflows, or merchandise planning and supply chain systems.
• Experience with AI governance, responsible AI practices, and IP and data-protection considerations in media or licensing environments.
• Experience developing agentic workflows or internal AI tooling that replaces manual, cross-team coordination.
• Experience with ITSM tooling, including ServiceNow, and automating support intake and incident workflows.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary: USD 150,500 - 201,800 per year.
• Bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package.
• Medical, financial, and/or other benefits (dependent on the level and position offered).