Director - Machine Learning Center Engineering

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For over 95 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today it brings quality movies, episodic storytelling, music, and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. The Walt Disney Studios encompasses a collection of respected film studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures. It is also home to Disney Theatrical Productions, producer of world-class stage shows.

Join Our Team

We are currently seeking a seasoned Director for our newly formed Machine Learning Center, who can drive our machine learning initiatives and deliver meaningful business outcomes.

In this role, you will lead at the forefront of technology and innovation, embedding AI into the fabric of our product development processes. If you are a visionary leader passionate about leveraging machine learning to drive significant technological advancements, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of our Studio Technology team.

Job Summary

As the Director of Engineering with a focus on Machine Learning (ML) Integration, you will lead a skilled team of senior software and ML engineers embedded within our Product Development teams across Studio Technology. This role is crucial for enhancing our software applications with advanced AI capabilities and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget. Your leadership will ensure that product teams are well-versed in best practices and design patterns necessary for integrating ML models into both existing and newly developed applications.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and Strategic Planning: Build and direct the ML Engineering team, ensuring strategic alignment with broader business goals. Develop and implement a roadmap for integrating ML capabilities across multiple product teams.

• Team Integration and Support: Embed ML engineering resources into existing product development teams, facilitating smooth collaboration and integration of ML technologies.

• Best Practices and Standards Development: Champion the development and dissemination of best practices and design patterns for ML integration. Ensure that all product teams are trained and proficient in these methodologies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other Studio Technology engineering leaders and product managers to ensure that ML integration supports the overall product strategy and meets operational needs.

• Talent Development and Mentorship: Cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the ML Engineering team. Mentor team members for professional growth and development.

• Stakeholder Communication: Maintain regular communication with senior management and other stakeholders, providing updates on project status, risks, and future plans.

Skills/Experience

• Proven Engineering Leadership: At least 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with significant experience leading engineering teams, preferably in an environment where ML was a key component.

• Expertise in ML Applications: Strong understanding of machine learning, with hands-on experience in integrating ML models into production-level applications.

• Strategic and Analytical Thinking: Ability to devise strategic plans for technology integration that align with business goals. Proficient in problem-solving and analytical thinking to overcome challenges.

• Adaptability and Vision: Capability to adapt to changing technology landscapes and foresee how to leverage technology in new ways to benefit the company.

• Technical Expertise in Machine Learning & Software Engineering: Deep understanding of machine learning algorithms, frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch), and distributed computing platforms (Spark, Hadoop). Strong software engineering skills with experience in building and maintaining complex systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience leading and managing the integration of machine learning models into production systems. Experience building and scaling ML training data pipelines is a plus.

• Professional experience in the entertainment or technology sectors, particularly in roles that blend creative and technological challenges.

• Certifications in project management and/or Agile methodologies.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $219,300 to $294,100 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.