Principal Software Engineer

Leading technology division powering Disney's media business, streaming services, and entertainment platforms worldwide.
$184,300 - $258,900
Backend
Principal Software Engineer
In-Person
5,000+ Employees
10+ years of experience
Enterprise SaaS · Entertainment

Description For Principal Software Engineer

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join their Content Experience & Delivery team. This role focuses on building systems that provide data at scale across Disney+, Hulu, and Star+. The position involves implementing reliable, high-request services that power streaming user experiences across multiple platforms.

The ideal candidate will be part of a team creating best-in-class Recommendations & Discovery experiences for hundreds of millions of customers. Working closely with Data Science/ML and Product teams, you'll innovate on, develop, and operate Recommendation Systems at scale. The role requires collaboration with engineers, project managers, and product managers to design and implement optimal solutions for viewers.

As a Principal Engineer, you'll drive projects end-to-end, from initial design through deployment. Your responsibilities include setting technical direction, mentoring team members, and establishing best practices. The position demands expertise in large-scale backend services, strong system design skills, and experience with cloud technologies.

The role offers the opportunity to work on systems that impact millions of users worldwide, with exposure to cutting-edge streaming technology and recommendation systems. You'll be part of Disney's mission to reimagine viewing experiences for the world's most beloved stories while transforming their media business for the future.

Key technical aspects include working with JVM services, asynchronous programming, cloud platforms, and observability tools. The position requires participation in an on-call rotation for critical services and involves both technical leadership and hands-on development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned engineer looking to make a significant impact at the intersection of technology and entertainment, working with global teams on products that reach millions of users daily. The role offers competitive compensation and benefits, including medical coverage, bonus opportunities, and long-term incentives.

Last updated 22 days ago

Responsibilities For Principal Software Engineer

  • Drive and champion cross-team projects
  • Design new solutions and ensure alignment across teams
  • Write code to implement new features and optimize services
  • Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation
  • Perform code reviews
  • Coach and mentor teammates
  • Set best practices for the team
  • Break down work at initiative and epic levels
  • Communicate effectively with stakeholders

Requirements For Principal Software Engineer

Java
Kafka
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field
  • 10+ years of experience crafting and operating backend services
  • 3+ years experience with large-scale, high-availability backend services
  • Experience with algorithms and ML model implementation
  • Knowledge of JVM services
  • Experience with Public Cloud Provider (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • Knowledge of observability tools (Datadog, Splunk, Grafana)
  • Strong communication skills
  • Experience with AGILE/Scrum practices

Benefits For Principal Software Engineer

Medical Insurance
  • Medical benefits
  • Bonus opportunities
  • Long-term incentives
  • Financial benefits

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