Senior Broadcast Architect

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:

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

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.

The Advanced Technology Group operates at the intersection of emerging technology and media operations. We identify, prototype, and deploy innovative solutions that transform how Disney creates, manages, and delivers content across our global portfolio. Our team bridges the gap between cutting-edge capabilities and the practical realities of broadcast and media production workflows by designing a complete and complex framework, system or product.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Senior Broadcast Architect focused on Cloud to join our Advanced Technology Group. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of media production at one of the world's most iconic entertainment companies.

You will be the technical architect and hands-on engineer responsible for designing and deploying Cloud solutions that transform legacy broadcast infrastructure and media workflows.

In this role, you will operate at the critical intersection of modern Cloud technologies and established broadcast systems. You’ll define processes to integrate our broadcast systems (media asset management systems, production control environments, and content delivery pipelines) into a seamless experience for operators across the country. Your work will directly impact how Disney creates and distributes content across ESPN, ABC, Disney+, and our global entertainment portfolio.

You’ll be able to work both independently and as part of a group, with the support of 3rd party partners to develop technology that efficiently and effectively delivers on the requirements set forth by technical, business or operations leaders. You’ll also take on a teaching role in the team, training and mentoring support Engineers to provide long term support of projects and designs generated by our group. If you're energized by the challenge of making Cloud accessible and practical for media professionals, this role offers an opportunity to drive meaningful innovation at scale.

Responsibilities:

• Design Cloud-native systems and frameworks that comply with security standards while optimizing resource usage and minimize manual repetitive tasks.
• Research and design processes for Cloud-based tools for automation, monitoring, transcoding, and transport.
• Utilize software solutions to architect scalable, secure, and resilient broadcast systems.
• Provides multi-layered technical expertise for next generation initiatives including assisting with the development of APIs for broadcast orchestration.
• Design complete Cloud frameworks that enable DEEP&T to acquire, produce, store, stream, and distribute content across platforms.
• Assist in creating and implementing policies and procedures to maximize system integration and align with business, marketing, and entertainment goals.
• Use system health and performance monitoring platforms to identify, analyze and resolve system design weaknesses discovered in the vendor development process.
• Specify and procure equipment, supplies, and materials for the DEEP&T within budget guidelines to create business application prototypes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify, analyze and resolve system design weaknesses affecting acquisition, production, and distribution across DEEP&T networks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and iInfluence the shape of future broadcast workflows including Cloud-native and software based.
• Manage third-party service providers by enforcing design, feature, and delivery scopes.
• Create, review, and contribute to system and workflow documentation.
• Participate in ongoing training and development initiatives.
• Perform any other duties necessary to support business objectives.

Basic Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5-years of relevant experience in designing, building, and maintaining stable technical environments for live media production and distribution.
• Comfortable in fast-paced environments with minimal direction, able to multitask and prioritize effectively.
• Resourceful and optimistic mindset with a drive to contribute and make a difference.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for delivering innovative solutions.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills across organizational levels.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Broadcast or related field—or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Cloud platforms such as: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Oracle for storage, compute, and media workflows.
• Experience with Cloud monitoring and diagnostic tools for troubleshooting signal and infrastructure issues.
• Understanding of microservices architecture, DevOps tools, and software design principles.
• Expertise in IP-based broadcast systems, including routers, switchers, audio boards, signal processors, encoders/decoders, video scalers, and playback systems.
• Knowledge of and ability to troubleshoot media file formats, compression techniques (MPEG2/4, AVC, HEVC, JPEG 2000/XS), and uncompressed 2110 workflows on-prem, Cloud-based, and streaming.
• Ability to collaborate with software engineering teams to plan features and deliver desired outcomes.
• Familiarity with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and Cloud orchestration tools.
• Familiarity with Infrastructure as code tools such as Terraform, CloudFormation, etc.
• Familiarity with production control systems (e.g., Evertz Magnum, Grass Valley automation, Riedel trunking, Lawo, Calrec, Ross, Ember+).
• Experience with studio technologies such as video walls, cameras, VR set tech, image processing systems, and touch screens.

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $129,300 - $173,300 per year and in New York, NY is $135,400 - $181,600 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.