Senior AI Research Engineer
Aplicar ahora Aplique más tarde Job ID 10124362 Ubicación Glendale, California, Estados Unidos Business Walt Disney Imagineering Fecha de publicación 08/07/2025Detalles del empleo:
About the Role & Team
“Any sufficiently complex technology is indistinguishable from magic.” - Arthur C. Clarke
At Imagineering, we are constantly exploring new ways to connect with our guests – to surprise them, make them smile, and open their minds to magic - not just in our parks and resorts, but everywhere around the world.
At Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development, this "magic" emerges from the application of world-class technology and everything from new Guest-facing experiences to new tools for Imagineers and Cast Members who power our parks and bring that magic to life. Our team of engineers, designers, artists and scientists share a passion for solving impossible problems and building ground-breaking experiences.
At Disney Research Imagineering, we pursue and apply the science behind the magic: unlocking new opportunities for Imagineering in all aspects of project lifecycles, from early phase creative ideation to deployment.
The Role
We are seeking a Senior Research Engineer to design, prototype, and build software algorithms, components, and complex systems to support based on generative AI and intelligent agent concepts across Disney’s themed entertainment portfolio.
As a Senior AI research engineer, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, and creatives. Your work will span exploratory proof-of-concepts, testing and evaluation, and the translation of experimental AI technologies into robust, production-ready tools.
You will report to the Associate Lab Director and contribute to the AI/ML applied research portfolio for Imagineering R&D.
What You Will Do
Own all phases of the software design and implementation process for generative AI tools and intelligent agents, from early concept design, prototyping, detailed design, production deployment and testing.
Apply cutting-edge agentic AI research to creative and technical tasks (e.g., visual synthesis, simulation, asset generation, design assistance).
Evaluate agentic methods for feasibility, fidelity, controllability, and integration into WDI pipelines.
Integrate AI models with APIs, databases, internal tools, and creative software.
Lead internal design and code reviews and reviews
Test and iterate on proof-of-concept designs, evolving requirements and designs
Help teams manage free-form software and tool exploration when appropriate in early phases of projects, but understand when more structure is needed to progress to later phases of projects
Deliver maintainable code in a dynamic fast paced development environment with rapidly changing requirements
Troubleshoot and iterate on system performance and usability based on feedback from cross-disciplinary collaborators.
Partner with interdisciplinary teams to ensure AI applications empower rather than constrain artistic and storytelling processes.
Collaborate with internal and external research partners, including academic institutions, industry labs, and vendors.
Translate scientific insights into working prototypes that bridge research and production-ready implementation.
Mentor junior team members and contribute to the technical direction of AI initiatives within the lab.
Contribute to the culture and community of WDI R&D with a positive and inspiring attitude
Required Qualifications & Skills
8+ years of professional software development experience
Strong background in computer science fundamentals, design patterns, algorithms, and data structures
Ability to design, communicate, and carry out software architecture using software development best practices
Proficiency in multiple modern programming languages including Python, C/C++, C#, and Javascript
Proficiency in machine learning libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow), and large model libraries and APIs (e.g. OpenAI, Azure, Ollama, MCP, etc).
A deep understanding of current large language and multimodal model agentic structures and capabilities, including their limitations.
Demonstrated ability to bridge theoretical research with real-world implementation.
Experience developing and maintaining generative models and AI agent architectures.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, creative environment and adapt to rapidly changing requirements
Experience with container orchestration tooling (Docker, Marathon)
Experience with CI/CD and automation pipelines
Knowledge of common software development tools such as git, CMake, and package management tools.
Familiarity with Linux or other Unix-based operating systems
Experience designing and building complex software systems, ideally in the gaming or other media industry
Flexibility and adaptability as the team learns through prototyping and playtesting, adjusting strategy as needed
Experience managing software vendors
Ability to work collaboratively with other technical and creative disciplines
Ability to provide clear direction and feedback to other team members
Strategic thinking skills to creatively solve challenges
A desire to constantly improve, adapt, and create new technologies
A desire to work in a creative environment where technical and creative experts collaborate and challenge each other every day to achieve truly groundbreaking solutions
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with the development, evaluation, and deployment of LLMs, VLMs, and multimodal AI systems.
Experience with reinforcement learning, prompt engineering, and fine-tuning generative models.
Experience with AI-assisted tools in architecture, entertainment, or XR applications.
Background in NLP, cognitive science, or robotics is a plus.
Track record of technology transfer, patents, or deployed AI systems.
Demonstrated ability to bridge technical research and production-quality automation systems, ideally through previous work in film, games, immersive media, robotics, construction, or architecture.
Contributions to open-source projects or prior internships in research labs or innovation teams.
Interest in construction tech, architecture, or fabrication workflows is a plus.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Computational Design, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
Additional Information
This role is located in Glendale, CA.
Benefits and Perks: 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 https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $152,200 to $204,100 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.
Acerca de Walt Disney Imagineering:
Fundado en 1952 como WED Enterprises para diseñar y construir el primer parque temático del mundo, Disneyland, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) es donde la imaginación y la creatividad se combinan con tecnología de vanguardia para crear experiencias inolvidables. WDI es la fuerza creativa que imagina, diseña y construye todos los parques temáticos, resorts, atracciones y cruceros de Disney en todo el mundo. La fuerza única de Imagineering proviene de su equipo global diverso de profesionales creativos y técnicos, que se basan en el legado de narración de historias de Disney para ser pionero en nuevas formas de entretenimiento. Los Imagineers que practican esta combinación única de arte y ciencia trabajan en más de 100 disciplinas para guiar una idea desde la fase conceptual del “cielo azul” hasta el día de la inauguración.
Acerca de The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, junto con sus subsidiarias y afiliadas, es una empresa internacional diversificada líder en entretenimiento familiar y medios de comunicación que incluye tres segmentos comerciales principales: Disney Entertainment, ESPN y Disney Experiences. Desde sus humildes comienzos como estudio de dibujos animados en la década de 1920 hasta su reconocido nombre en la industria del entretenimiento en la actualidad, Disney continúa con orgullo su legado de crear historias y experiencias de clase mundial para toda la familia. Las historias, los personajes y las experiencias de Disney llegan a consumidores e invitados de todos los rincones del mundo. Con operaciones en más de 40 países, nuestros empleados y miembros del elenco trabajan juntos para crear experiencias de entretenimiento que sean apreciadas a nivel local y global.
Este puesto es en WDI Research & Development, Inc. , que forma parte de una empresa comercial que denominamos Walt Disney Imagineering.
WDI Research & Development, Inc. es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades. Los solicitantes recibirán consideración para el empleo independientemente de su raza, religión, color, sexo, orientación sexual, género, identidad de género, expresión de género, nacionalidad, ascendencia, edad, estado civil, condición de militar o veterano, afección médica, información genética o discapacidad, o cualquier otro fundamento prohibido por la ley federal, estatal o local. Disney defiende un entorno empresarial donde las ideas y decisiones de todas las personas nos ayudan a crecer, innovar, crear las mejores historias y ser relevantes en un mundo en constante evolución.