Principal Software Architect - Ad Platforms

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology

On any given day at Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology, we’re reimagining ways to create magical viewing experiences for the world’s most beloved stories while also transforming Disney’s media business for the future. Whether that’s evolving our streaming and digital products in new and immersive ways, powering worldwide advertising and distribution to maximize flexibility and efficiency, or delivering Disney’s unmatched entertainment and sports content, every day is a moment to make a difference to partners and to hundreds of millions of people around the world.

• Building the future of Disney’s media business: DE&E Technologists are designing and building the infrastructure that will power Disney’s media, advertising, and distribution businesses for years to come.

• Reach & Scale: The products and platforms this group builds and operates delight millions of consumers every minute of every day – from Disney+ and Hulu, to ABC News and Entertainment, to ESPN and ESPN+, and much more.
• Innovation: We develop and execute groundbreaking products and techniques that shape industry norms and enhance how audiences experience sports, entertainment & news.
• The Ad Platforms Team is responsible for building and operating the technology that supports Disney’s industry-leading, multi-billion dollar global advertising business. Working across all of Disney’s streaming brands and linear channels, this team’s scope is wide ranging - they impact everything from core infrastructure development that powers Disney’s proprietary ad server, to reimagining viewer-first ad experiences and formats. This team’s award-winning, in-house built technologies are the backbone of Disney’s ad business and a critical element of the Company’s streaming future.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:

• Design and implement microservices architecture that meets business requirements and enhances system scalability and reliability.
• Collaborate with development teams to define technical standards and best practices for Java development and microservices.
• Analyze and improve existing systems, identifying areas for optimization and refactoring.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to development teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies and tools to support microservices development and deployment.
• Develop and maintain architectural documentation, including design patterns, deployment strategies, and API specifications.
• Ensure compliance with security, performance, and scalability best practices.
• Participate in code reviews, architecture reviews, and design discussions to ensure quality and adherence to best practices.

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

• 10+ years of experience in software development, with a focus on Java and microservices architecture.
• Strong understanding of microservices principles and best practices, including containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) and service orchestration.
• Proficiency in Java frameworks (e.g., Spring Boot) and RESTful API design.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Solid understanding of databases (SQL and NoSQL) and data modeling techniques.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on innovative solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Familiarity with event-driven architectures and messaging systems (e.g., Kafka, Kinesis, SQS).
• Knowledge of monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Datadog)

Required Education  

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

The hiring range for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $184,300 - $247,100 per year and in Seattle, WA is $193,100 - $258,900 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.