Staff Machine Learning Engineer

The Walt Disney Studios is seeking a Staff Machine Learning Engineer in Burbank, CA to lead applied deep learning efforts across computer vision and multimodal AI. In this onsite role, you will help take solutions from early experimentation to production environments that support Studio users, with an emphasis on evaluation, experimentation, and responsible AI practices.

Role summary

This position is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on building and improving ML systems that align model quality with real user outcomes. You will set technical direction across teams, mentor engineers, and bring multimodal and generative AI ideas into workflows while respecting content rights and protections.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of ML solutions in computer vision and multimodal AI for Studio users.
• Run targeted experiments to select, adapt, and fine-tune proven methods, including build-vs-buy-vs-partner decisions.
• Define evaluation methods for generative and subjective outputs, linking model performance to real user outcomes.
• Partner with engineering teams to take solutions into production and iterate using monitoring and user feedback.
• Set technical direction across teams, mentor engineers, and promote testing, code quality, and reproducibility.
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and business stakeholders, explaining tradeoffs to support sound business decisions.
• Develop solutions aligned with Disney’s responsible AI principles, respecting content rights, IP, and talent protections.
• Stay at the forefront of multimodal and generative AI and incorporate the best ideas into Studio workflows.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, or a closely related field.
• 7+ years of professional experience, including 4+ years deploying ML in production.
• Strong deep learning knowledge, with expertise in computer vision and multimodal models (for example, vision-language models and video understanding).
• Demonstrated experience designing experiments and evaluation methods that influence product decisions.
• Strong Python and PyTorch (or equivalent), including production practices such as version control, automated testing, and CI/CD, plus familiarity with Docker and cloud platforms.
• Proven track record leading ML projects across teams and communicating clearly with non-technical partners.

Technologies

• Python
• PyTorch
• Docker
• CI/CD
• Cloud platforms
• Version control
• Automated testing

Location and job requirements

• Onsite in Burbank, CA. This is not a remote role. You must be in the area or open to relocation.

Preferred qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, or a related field, with experience applying depth to shipped products.
• Experience with generative models, distributed training, or ML at scale.
• Experience building tools with or for creative professionals.
• Background in media and entertainment.

Compensation and pay transparency

• The hiring range for this position located in Burbank is $158,100.00 - $211,900.00 per year.
• Base pay offered will consider internal equity and may vary based on geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided, in addition to medical, financial, and/or other benefits depending on the level and position offered.