Principal Software Architect

“We Power the Magic!” That’s our motto at Disney Experiences (DX). Our team creates world-class immersive digital experiences for the Company’s premier vacation brands including Disney’s Parks & Resorts worldwide, Disney Cruise Line, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney Vacation Club.

The Principal Software Architect will drive strategic vision and innovation across the Digital Content domain by defining and evolving application development processes, standards, and best practices. This role involves architecting scalable, high-performance solutions aligned with industry-leading configuration principles to address complex challenges in digital content delivery, language localization, asset management, and personalized guest experiences.

Key responsibilities include providing architectural guidance to delivery teams while collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure solutions are technically robust and aligned with business objectives. Approximately 80% of the role focuses on architectural solutioning, with the remaining 20% dedicated to hands-on activities such as code reviews, technical validation, and knowledge sharing.

Success in this role requires deep expertise in digital content platforms, a strong grasp of agile development methodologies, and a track record of implementing enterprise-grade, content-driven solutions. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a practical mindset, committed to enhancing development efficiency, scalability, and the delivery of exceptional digital experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Architect Sustainable Solutions: Partner with teams to design and implement cost-effective, scalable solutions adhering to Enterprise Content Management strategic standards.
• Technical Design and Integration: Translate business requirements into detailed technical designs, including blueprints, schemas, and integration with digital content and personalization systems.
• Maintain Technical Currency: Provide leadership to ensure all GCx components are up to date with the latest approved technologies and releases.
• Advance Technical Knowledge: Stay current with the latest development techniques, methodologies, and tools; apply innovative findings to projects.
• Enhance Platform Capabilities: Mature capabilities like content aggregation, multi-channel delivery, personalization, language support, asset integration, and workflow automation.
• Optimize Performance: Define best practices for maintaining performance, scalability, and reliability of digital content and guest contextualization solutions.
• Enable Continuous Delivery: Architect solutions that support continuous integration, delivery, and full system availability.
• Efficient Estimation: Provide high-level estimates for project planning and impact analysis, even in ambiguous scenarios.
• Collaborative Leadership: Guide diverse technical teams, challenge the status quo, and propose innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Qualifications:

• Proven Expertise: 10+ years of experience in software architecture and development, with 5+ years influencing highly technical professionals across diverse portfolios.
• Leadership Excellence: Confidently lead multiple projects across teams and organizations, fostering creativity and innovation in an inclusive culture that values diverse perspectives and promotes belonging.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Agile and adept at making quick decisions to address complex technical and operational challenges, ensuring efficient and effective solutions.
• Technical Presentation Skills: Eloquent and professional communicator with demonstrated ability to present to groups, C-suite executives, and leadership in both in-person and virtual environments.
• Technical Mastery: Extensive experience in Java, .NET, C#, and integrated cloud solutions (AWS), as well as CI/CD platforms like Jenkins, Harness, and GIT source control.
• AI and Modern Solutions: Architect scalable solutions leveraging AI technologies, large language models (LLMs), and frameworks like Google Flutter for cross-platform development.
• Advanced Platform Expertise: Proficient in NoSQL and semi-structured databases (MongoDB, Snowflake, Couchbase), headless content management systems, server-driven mobile interfaces, and digital content platforms (RWS Tridion, OpenText, Adobe Experience Cloud).
• Operational Efficiency: Document and visualize solutions using advanced tools and diagrams while enabling continuous delivery and deployment via containerization (Docker) and monitoring tools (Splunk, Grafana, AppDynamics).
• Cutting-Edge Insights: Strong understanding of digital asset management systems, workflow optimization, and integrating platforms like Adobe Experience Manager for enhanced digital content delivery.
• Technical Curiosity and Initiative: Highly curious and proactive in exploring emerging technologies, continuously learning, and driving innovation in areas like Python development, cloud-native tools, and DevOps practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Domain Expertise in Content Platforms: Extensive knowledge of content management, localization, and personalization platforms, including hands-on experience with industry-leading systems like RWS Tridion and Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) for both content and asset management.
• Technical Proficiency Across Modern Frameworks: Skilled in developing cloud-native solutions with platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, and experience with cutting-edge frameworks and languages, including Node.js, Python, and Google Flutter. Proficient in mobile and hybrid application development, delivering seamless cross-platform user experiences.
• Industry Experience and Strategic Insight: Deep understanding of the hospitality or travel industries, leveraging insights to design scalable, guest-centric digital solutions. Proven ability to set and execute strategic architectural directions that align with organizational goals and evolving technology landscapes.
• Leadership and Collaboration Excellence: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and coach technical teams, fostering innovation and growth while building strong cross-functional partnerships to drive enterprise-level initiatives.
• Scalable Solutions and Operational Expertise: A track record of implementing efficient and scalable architectures, integrating advanced technologies for personalization and localization, and leveraging AEM Asset Management for enhanced digital workflows and operational excellence.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science , Information Systems or related equivalent experience.

Preferred Education:

• Master’s degree in computer science , Information Systems or related equivalent experience.

#DISNEYTECH

The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA/Anaheim, 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.

About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney’s global consumer products operations include the world’s leading licensing business; the world’s largest children’s publishing brands; one of the world’s largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

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. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC , which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences .

Walt Disney Attractions Technology LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, 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. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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