Lead Media Systems Engineer-Network

Technology is at the heart of Disney’s past, present, and future. Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology is a global organization of engineers, product developers, designers, technologists, data scientists, and more – all working to build and advance the technological backbone for Disney’s media business globally.

The team marries technology with creativity to build world-class products, enhance storytelling, and drive velocity, innovation, and scalability for our businesses. We are Storytellers and Innovators. Creators and Builders. Entertainers and Engineers. We work with every part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touch points serving millions of people around the world. 

Here are a few reasons why we think you’d love working here:

1. Building the future of Disney’s media: Our Technologists are designing and building the products and platforms that will power our media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.

2. Reach, Scale & Impact: More than ever, Disney’s technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans' connections with the company’s brands and stories. Disney+. Hulu. ESPN. ABC. ABC News…and many more. These products and brands – and the unmatched stories, storytellers, and events they carry – matter to millions of people globally. 

3. Innovation: We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms, and solve complex and distinctive technical problems.

Content Platforms & Operations

Content Platforms & Operations is responsible for the development and ongoing advancement of the technical and operational functions driving the worldwide distribution and monetization of Disney’s linear networks and theatrical content. This includes Disney’s media supply chain and storage, network and theatrical distribution operations, media localization, network transmission and origination, and more. The global team also plays a critical role as the primary collaboration point for Product & Technology with Disney’s EMEA, APAC, and LATAM regional business teams.

Job Summary:

Disney Media Systems Engineers have a clear charter: to transform the capability and flexibility of how Disney acquires, produces, and distributes content worldwide, all while ensuring the highest levels of quality, efficiency, and resiliency.

Disney Media Systems Engineers often find themselves at the crossroads between hardwareand software-based technology and must possess a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of the technology that powers the generation, monetization, and distribution of all forms of consumer- facing linear and digital video/audio content. Responsibility includes numerous systems such as Playout Technology, Studios, Production Control Rooms, Remote Production, Post-Production, Contribution/Distribution Systems, Networking, Cloud Compute, Production Software and Virtual Environment and more.

The Lead Media Systems Engineer is, simply put, is an expert engineer in the acquisition, production, and distribution of media content. They are well-versed in multiple technical standards and have hands-on experience in both the sustainment and design/build of production systems.

The Lead Media Systems Engineers are part of a tiered sustainment model where incidents are escalated from a shared operations team (tier 1) to the Media Engineer II’s (tier 2) and beyond. They are able to tackle the most complicated technical issues, often spanning media software, networking and hardware troubleshooting with little assistance from senior engineers. The Lead Media Systems Engineer, while primarily focused on sustainment and incremental advancement of technology, will work on design/build projects that advance our overall business.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Respond to and resolve issues affecting acquisition, processing, and content distribution across multiple DEEP&T and enterprise networks, including system outages, hardware/software malfunctions, and related technical problems.
• Conduct diagnostic testing, repair, and replacement activities for routine, specialized, and complex infrastructure issues. Perform preventative maintenance on networking systems and equipment such as core/distribution/access switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, DNS/DHCP servers, and other data center infrastructure to ensure optimal performance and availability.
• Utilize network monitoring and performance analytics platforms (e.g., SNMP, NetFlow, telemetry) to identify, troubleshoot and resolve system failures.
• Troubleshoot single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic networks using advanced diagnostic tools such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR), Optical Power Meters & Light Sources, or Multifunction Testers to identify faults, measure signal loss, and verify link integrity across enterprise and media infrastructure.
• Perform maintenance on network infrastructure, install firmware/software patches and updates to prevent service disruptions, and troubleshoot issues related to these services.
• Use packet analyzers such as Wireshark, tcpdump, and commercial tools (SolarWinds, ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer, PRTG) to inspect and decode network traffic for troubleshooting, performance monitoring, and security analysis. Integrate packet analyzers with SIEM platforms, firewalls, and IDS/IPS systems to enhance threat detection and incident response capabilities.
• Analyze and troubleshoot data traffic and signal flow across Layer 2/Layer 3 switching environments, including routing protocols (EIGRP, OSPF, BGP), VLANs, VXLAN overlays.
• Configure and maintain BGP peering sessions between autonomous systems (AS), implement BGP route aggregation and summarization, and use route maps to control route advertisements and influence path selection. Apply BGP tuning techniques (local preference, AS_PATH) to optimize routing behavior and ensure preferred paths for inbound/outbound traffic. Monitor and mitigate BGP route leaks and hijacks using prefix filtering, maximum prefix limits, and BGP communities.
• Analyze and troubleshoot cloud-based infrastructure and services, including virtualized network functions, load balancers, firewalls, and automated provisioning systems. Leverage Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to centralize network control and enable dynamic configuration. Use Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to replace traditional hardware appliances with virtualized functions, improving scalability and reducing costs.
• Implement and manage automated provisioning platforms such as Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform, Puppet, and Chef to streamline configuration management, device onboarding, and policy enforcement across multi-vendor network environments.
• Maintain Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs) for asset and inventory management.
• Leverage cloud-compatible provisioning tools that support role-based access control (RBAC) and integration with Identity and Access Management (IAM), SSO, Active Directory and AWS to enhance operational efficiency and security.
• Utilize VXLAN to create scalable Layer 2 overlay networks over Layer 3 infrastructure. Configure VXLAN in VMware environments using Distributed Virtual Switches (DVS), and teaming policies like Static EtherChannel or LACP for redundancy and load balancing.
• Implement Traffic Engineering strategies to optimize network performance by analyzing, predicting, and regulating data flow. Use Equal-Cost Multipath and Multipath Traffic Engineering to distribute traffic across multiple paths based on link attributes.
• Apply QoS policies to prioritize traffic types (e.g., video over IP streaming, transactional data and bulk file transfers) using traffic shaping, rate limiting, and bandwidth reservation.
• Use Unified Threat Management (UTM) platforms to integrate firewall, intrusion detection/prevention, and antivirus capabilities.
• Deploy Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) for deep packet inspection, application awareness, and advanced threat protection.
• Participates in engineering projects at the direction of more experienced engineers.
• Reviews and contributes to system/workflow documentation.
• Support third-party service providers by enforcing the agreed upon scope of services within the various signed service agreements (i.e., full time, freelance, union agencies, maintenance providers, contractors, service providers, etc.).
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate technical staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Support the procurement of equipment, supplies and materials for Media technology systems within budget guidelines; receive and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Support long range planning for future media technology needs, including capital improvements, to enhance production and distribution capabilities.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding technology facilities with a focus on maximizing the integration of all systems to meet business, marketing, and entertainment goals.
• Lead operational support of all activities related to operating, maintaining, and programming the audio and video production/distribution systems across the enterprise and other connected properties.
• Participates in regular training and development objectives.
• Extraordinary influencer who is skilled at connecting the dots at the organization, strategy, program, project, and event levels. Able to persuade and change the thinking of others without damaging relationships.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, growth environment with minimal direction, delivering under tight deadlines while multitasking, prioritizing projects, and communicating priority updates to team members.
• Able to operate with limited resources, exhibit dispassionate critical-thinking, and creatively solve problems. Motivated and inventive, always finds a way forward—eternal optimist with a committed drive for contributing and making a difference.
• Any other duties needed to help achieve Business Objectives

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Basic Qualifications

• 7+ years of previous and relevant experience in ensuring efficient sustainment, uptime, and overall stability of the technical environments in enterprise network engineering, design, and operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree or relevant certifications (e.g., CCNP, CCIE, AWS Certified Advanced Networking) preferred.
• Proven track record in managing complex network infrastructures across data centers, cloud environments, and hybrid architecture.
• Experience leading network modernization initiatives and mentoring junior engineers.
• Expert-level proficiency in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, and network security protocols.
• Strong understanding of SDN (Software Defined Networking), network automation, and orchestration tools (e.g., Ansible, Terraform).
• Understanding of SMPTE standards for broadcast television and video production/streaming environments with a current certification such as not limited to ST 292M, ST 424M, ST 2110, ST 2059, IEE1588, ST 2022-7, SCTE-104, etc.
• Proficient in integrating microservices and containerized environments (e.g., Kubernetes) into network designs.
• Proficient with technologies like microservices, DevOps tools, design principles, practices, standards and guidelines.
• Deep knowledge of network design principles, performance optimization, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Scripting proficiency will be an advantage (Python, NodeJS, Bash, PowerShell)
• Familiarity with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid connectivity solutions.
• Strong documentation and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
• Ongoing professional development through vendor certifications (Cisco, Juniper, Palo Alto, AWS, etc.).
• Training in cybersecurity frameworks and compliance standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001).
• Advanced level knowledge and experience with on-prem and cloud-based storage and compute infrastructure platforms and current technological offerings. At least one foundational cloud certification required, including but not limited to Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, CompTIA Cloud+, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.
• Advanced level knowledge and experience with major media systems and the vendors that supply them in areas such as asset management systems, file-based workflows, media acquisition, transcoding/encoding, graphics, and NAS/SAN technologies
• Expert-level experience
• Physical requirements and work environment: Ability to climb ladders, work on raised structures and building roofs, operate areal lift platforms and have valid driver’s license.

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, California is $129,000 to $173,300 per year based on a 40 hour work week. The amount of hours scheduled per week may vary based on business needs. 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.