Senior R&D Imagineer - Robotic Control Systems Engineer

About the Role & Team

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters, and worlds to life. Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented Imagineers are responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.

At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and new tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. R&D is a team of engineers, designers, artists, and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems and building ground-breaking experiences. As a robotic control systems engineer, you will help create, design, and build dynamic physical characters, immersive environments, and interactive experiences.

This role will report to the Executive R&D Imagineer, Creative Development.

This role is full-time.

What You Will Do

• Software development for robotic systems that meets functional requirements

• Work hands-on with robotic hardware systems in a collaborative, dynamic R&D environment

• Test and iterate on proof-of-concept designs, evolving requirements and designs as the team learns

• Participate in internal design reviews and reviews with external vendors and fabricators

• Contribute to the culture and community of the WDI R&D Studio

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years’ experience in robotic software systems

• Intimate knowledge of software stack anatomy for bipedal and quadrupedal robotic systems

• Experience prototyping real-world mobile and/or legged robots

• Comfortable and proficient as a hands-on engineer with robotic hardware

• Realtime control system design experience

• Model-based control - Model Predictive Control (MPC), Model Adaptive Control, linear and nonlinear

• State Estimation and/or System Identification

• Wheeled and legged locomotion

• Experience with physics-based simulators and rigid body dynamics

• Experience implementing serial communication protocols and low-level control of actuators and devices (CAN, EtherCAT, RS485, etc.)

• Experience with embedded serial communication protocols (SPI, I2C, etc.)

• Sub-systems integration experience across the SW stack (UI, controls, wireless, etc.)

• Experience with creative tools, animation software, or game development techniques

• Highly proficient in Python, C++, and Rust

• Embraces flexibility and adaptability as the team learns through prototyping and playtesting, adjusting strategy as needed

• Work collaboratively with other technical and creative disciplines

• Ability to provide clear direction and feedback to other team members

• Thinks strategically and creatively to solve challenges

• Manages & prioritizes multiple assignments in a highly dynamic R&D environment

• Demonstrates a desire to constantly improve and adapt to new technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Learning-based control (i.e. reinforcement learning, imitation learning)

• Perception (vision/LiDAR)

• Autonomous system design, real-time navigation, path and motion planning

• Human-robotic interaction

Education

Bachelor’s degree (MS preferred) or equivalent in a robotics-related field, preferably computer software or mechanical engineering.

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.