Principal R&D Imagineer - Software and Systems Engineer

About the Role & Team:If the following job requirements and experience match your skills, please ensure you apply promptly.Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters, and worlds to life. Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented Imagineers are responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and new tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. R&D is a team of engineers, designers, artists, and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems and building ground-breaking experiences.We are seeking a Principal-level engineer with specialization and depth of knowledge in software systems, as well as a breadth of skills across hardware, controls, sensing, and robotics. This role combines technical breadth, significant applied expertise in inventing, testing, and delivering innovative software and hardware systems, and a holistic understanding of system design. As an engineer on this team, you will work on developing new methods to bring characters to life, creating impossible yet magical effects in the real world, building immersive environments, and designing interactive experiences. You will have a proven track record of defining the future of complex systems, delivering robust, sustainable solutions, and solving problems that others might view as impossible.You will report to the Executive R&D Imagineer.This is a Full-Time role.What You Will Do:Invent, evaluate, and implement novel system architectures, pushing beyond conventional solutionsContribute to defining and evangelizing technical standards across R&D, influencing engineering culture and practices.Quickly build prototypes to assess the technical direction or the quality of guest experience enabled by new technologyDevelop and shape long-term technical roadmaps, anticipating industry trends and aligning with organizational strategyConduct technical reviews of critical designs, identifying risks, scalability bottlenecks, and failure modesMentor all levels of engineersFlex between working as an individual contributor in your specialty to leading a larger team towards a common goalIdentify, assess, and manage vendors as needed to accomplish project workDraft and submit strategic patents based on prototype technologyParticipate in external technical communities, publications, and industry events to drive thought leadershipBuild and maintain strong cross-disciplinary partnerships with collaborators within Disney and external to the companyRequired Qualifications & Skills:10+ years of experience delivering highly complex software and systems at scaleExpertise in at least two of the following:Autonomous systems and controlDesign and implementation of machine learning platformsReal-time embedded systemsSafety-critical systemsUltra-high reliability systemsDemonstrated ability to invent and deliver first-of-their-kind solutions that have influenced an industry or large-scale product ecosystemStrong record of mentoring principal engineers and shaping organizational technical excellencePublished patents, peer-reviewed publications, or recognized open-source contributions strongly preferredProven experience leading a team, but you still love to dig in and build or integrate new technology. You are just as comfortable on a team of two as a team of twentyExtensive experience working with external vendors, large technology companies, and open-source codebases. You have proven experience delivering complex solutions in collaboration with external partnersDriven by the idea of creating new experiences for people, that our technological development is always in service of delivering magic to our guestsThrives working in collaborative interdisciplinary groups comprised of engineering and creative talentExperience managing the requirements of a diverse collection of stakeholders and proposing innovative solutions that meet and sometimes challenge those requirementsEducation:Bachelor's degree in an engineering field preferred.Additional Information:Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at  #DXMedia#LI-KK2The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $188,400 to $252,600 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. xijylhu 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.

Created: 2025-12-30