Senior AI Research Engineer
Postuler maintenant Postuler ultérieurement Job ID 10124362 Emplacement Glendale, Californie, États-Unis Entreprise Walt Disney Imagineering Date de publication 08/07/2025Résumé du poste:
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.
#DXMedia
#LI-KK2
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.
Sur Walt Disney Imagineering:
Fondée en 1952 sous le nom de WED Entreprises pour concevoir et construire le premier parc à thème au monde — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) est le lieu où l’imagination et la créativité s’associent à une technologie de pointe pour créer des expériences inoubliables. WDI est la force créative qui imagine, conçoit et construit tous les parcs à thème, complexes hôteliers, attractions et navires de croisière Disney dans le monde entier. La force unique d’Imagineering provient de son équipe mondiale diverse de professionnels créatifs et techniques, qui s’appuient sur l’héritage de la narration de Disney pour créer de nouvelles formes de divertissement. Les Imagineers qui pratiquent ce mélange unique d’œuvres d’art et de science travaillent dans plus de 100 disciplines pour guider une idée du début à la fin, de la phase de conception créative sans contraintes jusqu’au jour de l’ouverture.
Sur The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, ainsi que ses filiales et sociétés affiliées, forme l’une des principales entreprises internationales diversifiées de divertissement familial et de médias. Elle comprend trois secteurs d'activités essentiels : Disney Entertainment, ESPN et Disney Experiences. Depuis ses modestes débuts en tant que studio de dessins animés dans les années 1920 jusqu’à son statut de référence actuel dans le secteur du divertissement, Disney poursuit fièrement sa tradition de création d’histoires et d’expériences exceptionnelles pour tous les membres de la famille. Les histoires, les personnages et les expériences de Disney touchent les consommateurs et les visiteurs du monde entier. À travers nos activités présentes dans plus de 40 pays, nos employés et cast members collaborent pour créer des expériences de divertissement appréciées à la fois au niveau universel et local.
Le poste est rattaché à WDI Research & Development, Inc. , qui fait partie d’une entreprise que nous appelons Walt Disney Imagineering.
WDI Research & Development, Inc. est un employeur qui souscrit au principe d’égalité des chances à l’emploi. Les candidat(e)s seront pris(es) en considération pour un emploi sans distinction de race, de religion, de couleur, de sexe, d’orientation sexuelle, de genre, d’identité de genre, d’expression de genre, d’origine nationale, d’ascendance, d’âge, d’état matrimonial, de statut militaire ou d’ancien combattant, d’état de santé, d’informations génétiques ou de handicap, ou de tout autre motif interdit par la loi fédérale, étatique ou locale. Disney défend un environnement commercial où les idées et décisions de tous et toutes nous aident à grandir, innover, créer les meilleures histoires et être pertinents dans un monde en évolution constante.