The Walt Disney Company
Lead Software Development Engineer in Test
The Walt Disney Company, Glendale, California, us, 91222
Lead Software Development Engineer in Test
Apply Now Apply Later
Job ID
10138061
Location
Glendale, California, United States / Santa Monica, California, United States
Business
Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology
Date posted
Dec. 09, 2025 Job Summary
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, innovators, creators, builders, entertainers, and engineers, working with every part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touchpoints serving millions of people around the world. Here are a few reasons why we think you’d love working here: 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. Reach, Scale & Impact : Disney’s technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans’ connections with the company’s brands and stories, including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, ABC, and many more. Innovation : We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and solve complex technical problems. Product Engineering
Product Engineering is a unified team responsible for the engineering of Disney Entertainment & ESPN digital and streaming products and platforms, including product engineering, media engineering, quality engineering, and the engineering behind personalization, commerce, lifecycle, and identity. Lead Software Engineer – SDET
In this role, you will develop automation, processes, and infrastructure to ensure the quality of the backend APIs (or front‑end clients) and data systems that support the DEEPT Ecosystem. You will drive technical excellence and play a key part in integrating quality across our development lifecycle. Responsibilities and Duties of the Role
Drives Quality Engineering Strategy & Architecture
Leads the design and implementation of scalable, fault‑tolerant, cloud‑native test architectures across multiple product teams. Defines quality engineering strategies aligned with business goals, ensuring alignment with architectural and operational excellence standards. Partners with architects, product owners, and engineering leadership to build and refine robust test frameworks and infrastructure. Champions the adoption of modern testing practices (shift‑left, CI/CD integration, observability, etc.) across the organization. Technical Leadership and Mentorship
Provides technical guidance and mentorship to SDETs and engineers across teams, reviewing architecture, test code, and frameworks. Ensures engineering best practices are consistently applied through code reviews, design sessions, and hands‑on pairing. Facilitates cross‑team collaboration to align on common tools, standards, and reusable testing components. Leads post‑mortem/root cause analysis for critical quality incidents and drives preventive action. Project Delivery & Governance
Leads the planning and execution of multiple testing initiatives in Agile environments, ensuring timely and high‑quality deliverables. Owns the test strategy for large and complex projects, including defining test metrics, release criteria, and automation goals. Ensures governance for quality gates, compliance, and traceability across product teams. Identifies cross‑functional bottlenecks or risks and drives resolution proactively. Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Builds, enhances, and maintains scalable, reusable test automation frameworks and tools. Researches and introduces emerging tools and practices (AI in testing, autonomous testing, etc.) to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Tracks quality metrics (e.g., defect escape rate, automation coverage, flakiness) and continuously iterates on testing processes. Influences organizational test maturity by driving initiatives in performance testing, security testing, and reliability engineering. Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training
Basic Qualifications
Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in software development roles such as SDET, Software Engineer, or Site Reliability Engineer, focusing on automated and/or unit testing of front‑end and/or back‑end services. Proficient in object‑oriented design and experienced with at least one major programming language: Python, Java, or Node.js/JavaScript. Demonstrated success working within high‑performing teams utilizing Agile and Lean methodologies. Strong collaboration skills with a proven ability to use standard SDLC tools including Jira, Confluence, and version control systems. Preferred Qualifications
Hands‑on experience delivering production applications using Python, Flask, Django, React, or Node.js. Hands‑on experience delivering production backend services and components using Python, or Java. Experience developing and deploying applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, with a focus on optimizing cost and efficiency. Familiarity with distributed messaging systems such as Kafka, Amazon SQS, or Kinesis. Proficient in writing Gherkin Syntax for automated test scenario development. Working knowledge of containerization and CI/CD tools, including Docker, Kubernetes, and Spinnaker. Experience with test case and issue management tools (e.g., JIRA, Xray), code quality and management tools (e.g., Git, SonarQube), and data visualization tools (e.g., Grafana, Datadog). Required Education
Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Computer Science or a closely related technical field, or equivalent years of relevant work experience. The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA & Santa Monica, CA is $141,900 – $190,300 per year. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and 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 other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. About Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology
At Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology, we’re blending imagination and innovation to reimagine the ways people experience and engage with the world’s most beloved stories and products. Our work is wide‑ranging and deeply sophisticated. We create amazing experiences, transform the future of media, and build products and platforms that enable the connection between people everywhere and the stories and sports they love. 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. Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world‑class stories and experiences for every member of the family. This position is with Disney Streaming Technology LLC, which is part of the business we call Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology. Disney Streaming Technology LLC is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, 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. Disability Accommodation For Employment Applications
If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will respond only to requests related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Apply Now Apply Later
Job ID
10138061
Location
Glendale, California, United States / Santa Monica, California, United States
Business
Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology
Date posted
Dec. 09, 2025 Job Summary
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, innovators, creators, builders, entertainers, and engineers, working with every part of The Walt Disney Company’s media portfolio to advance the technological foundation and consumer media touchpoints serving millions of people around the world. Here are a few reasons why we think you’d love working here: 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. Reach, Scale & Impact : Disney’s technology and products serve as a signature doorway for fans’ connections with the company’s brands and stories, including Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, ABC, and many more. Innovation : We develop and implement groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and solve complex technical problems. Product Engineering
Product Engineering is a unified team responsible for the engineering of Disney Entertainment & ESPN digital and streaming products and platforms, including product engineering, media engineering, quality engineering, and the engineering behind personalization, commerce, lifecycle, and identity. Lead Software Engineer – SDET
In this role, you will develop automation, processes, and infrastructure to ensure the quality of the backend APIs (or front‑end clients) and data systems that support the DEEPT Ecosystem. You will drive technical excellence and play a key part in integrating quality across our development lifecycle. Responsibilities and Duties of the Role
Drives Quality Engineering Strategy & Architecture
Leads the design and implementation of scalable, fault‑tolerant, cloud‑native test architectures across multiple product teams. Defines quality engineering strategies aligned with business goals, ensuring alignment with architectural and operational excellence standards. Partners with architects, product owners, and engineering leadership to build and refine robust test frameworks and infrastructure. Champions the adoption of modern testing practices (shift‑left, CI/CD integration, observability, etc.) across the organization. Technical Leadership and Mentorship
Provides technical guidance and mentorship to SDETs and engineers across teams, reviewing architecture, test code, and frameworks. Ensures engineering best practices are consistently applied through code reviews, design sessions, and hands‑on pairing. Facilitates cross‑team collaboration to align on common tools, standards, and reusable testing components. Leads post‑mortem/root cause analysis for critical quality incidents and drives preventive action. Project Delivery & Governance
Leads the planning and execution of multiple testing initiatives in Agile environments, ensuring timely and high‑quality deliverables. Owns the test strategy for large and complex projects, including defining test metrics, release criteria, and automation goals. Ensures governance for quality gates, compliance, and traceability across product teams. Identifies cross‑functional bottlenecks or risks and drives resolution proactively. Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Builds, enhances, and maintains scalable, reusable test automation frameworks and tools. Researches and introduces emerging tools and practices (AI in testing, autonomous testing, etc.) to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Tracks quality metrics (e.g., defect escape rate, automation coverage, flakiness) and continuously iterates on testing processes. Influences organizational test maturity by driving initiatives in performance testing, security testing, and reliability engineering. Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training
Basic Qualifications
Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in software development roles such as SDET, Software Engineer, or Site Reliability Engineer, focusing on automated and/or unit testing of front‑end and/or back‑end services. Proficient in object‑oriented design and experienced with at least one major programming language: Python, Java, or Node.js/JavaScript. Demonstrated success working within high‑performing teams utilizing Agile and Lean methodologies. Strong collaboration skills with a proven ability to use standard SDLC tools including Jira, Confluence, and version control systems. Preferred Qualifications
Hands‑on experience delivering production applications using Python, Flask, Django, React, or Node.js. Hands‑on experience delivering production backend services and components using Python, or Java. Experience developing and deploying applications on cloud platforms such as AWS, with a focus on optimizing cost and efficiency. Familiarity with distributed messaging systems such as Kafka, Amazon SQS, or Kinesis. Proficient in writing Gherkin Syntax for automated test scenario development. Working knowledge of containerization and CI/CD tools, including Docker, Kubernetes, and Spinnaker. Experience with test case and issue management tools (e.g., JIRA, Xray), code quality and management tools (e.g., Git, SonarQube), and data visualization tools (e.g., Grafana, Datadog). Required Education
Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in Computer Science or a closely related technical field, or equivalent years of relevant work experience. The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA & Santa Monica, CA is $141,900 – $190,300 per year. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and 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 other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. About Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology
At Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology, we’re blending imagination and innovation to reimagine the ways people experience and engage with the world’s most beloved stories and products. Our work is wide‑ranging and deeply sophisticated. We create amazing experiences, transform the future of media, and build products and platforms that enable the connection between people everywhere and the stories and sports they love. 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. Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world‑class stories and experiences for every member of the family. This position is with Disney Streaming Technology LLC, which is part of the business we call Disney Entertainment and ESPN Product & Technology. Disney Streaming Technology LLC is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, 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. Disability Accommodation For Employment Applications
If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will respond only to requests related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr