Senior Manager Platform Engineering

Job ID 10125567 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Sep. 05, 2025

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Team

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

As the Sr. Manager of Platform Engineering in the Technology Studio at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), you will lead, strategize, and oversee the technical backbone powering our VFX (visual effects), BIM (Building Information Modeling), pre-Visualization pipelines, and Live Entertainment teams. This backbone allows Imagineers to create experiences across themed entertainment, immersive media, and advanced storytelling initiatives. This role requires a visionary leader with deep technical acumen and a passion for empowering creative teams to push the boundaries of what’s possible in visual storytelling.

You will report to the Software Development and Delivery Executive.

This is a Full-Time role.

What You Will Do

Develop and implement the long-term vision, architecture, and roadmap for VFX infrastructure, ensuring scalability, reliability, and innovation to support current and future project needs.
Balance the needs of the VFX team with the other users of the shared infrastructure backbone.
Lead, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technologists, and pipeline specialists, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Oversee day-to-day operations of technology platforms, including on-premises and cloud-based render farms, storage solutions, networking, and workflow automation.
Collaborate with artists, supervisors, and production teams to design and refine asset management, rendering, and media pipelines that enable creative innovation while maintaining operational efficiency.
Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies—such as real-time rendering, AI/ML tools, XR platforms, and new hardware—to enhance creative capabilities and production agility.
Manage relationships with software/hardware vendors and service providers, ensuring alignment with WDI’s technology standards and project goals.
Develop and manage departmental budgets, allocate resources effectively, and optimize investments in technology and infrastructure.
Ensure all systems, platforms and data processes comply with Disney’s security, legal, and IP protection protocols.
Work closely with creative leadership, project managers, IT, and other technical domains to synchronize project timelines and deliverables.
Regularly present operational and project information to leadership.

Required Qualifications & Skills

8+ years of progressive experience in VFX, animation, or digital media technology roles, with at least 3 years in people management or technical leadership positions.
Proven expertise in architecting and maintaining large-scale VFX or animation pipelines, infrastructure, and cloud solutions.
Strong proficiency in programming/scripting languages such as Python, C++, or similar, and in relevant VFX software (e.g., Houdini, Maya, Nuke, Unreal Engine).
Experience integrating real-time technologies, automation tools, and AI/ML workflows into production environments.
Demonstrated track record of fostering innovation, adaptability, and operational excellence in technical teams.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Deep understanding of network architecture, data security, and intellectual property protection best practices.
Experience working with both creative and technical stakeholders in high-pressure, deadline-driven environments.
Proven experience initiating, managing, and completing $2m+ infrastructure projects.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

Experience in themed entertainment, attraction development, or interactive/immersive media.
Familiarity with cloud platform administration (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
Knowledge of DevOps methodologies and CI/CD pipelines.

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in computer science, Engineering, VFX Technology, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).

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 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.

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About Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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