Controls Software Development Lead

Job Summary:

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.

The WDI Show Systems Studio is looking for talented software developers to create and deploy the next generation of show technologies that will drive our guest experiences in upcoming attractions and venues.

This role will report to the Controls Software Dev Manager.

This is a Full Time position.

What You Will Do

• Estimation, design, implementation, peer review, testing, documentation, training, and turnover of all Show Control software artifacts pursuant to attraction and/or venue scope.
• Task definition, organization, prioritization, scheduling, status tracking, and distribution of tasks among software project team members.
• Must work closely with other technical divisions of work to ensure constructed systems (inclusive of both hardware and software) operate cooperatively and reliably over the expected usable life of the project.
• Must balance evolving technical requirements with fixed budgets and schedules, and communicate both risks and options to Studio, and Project leadership (as appropriate) in a timely fashion.
• Partner with both Studio and Project leadership to execute project goals while employing best software development practices and adhering to relevant company and industry standards.
• Work with other software projects and product developers to provide incremental and overall updates to the status and condition of software product progress.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum 8 years of Industrial Automation and/or Process Control experience, primarily focused on software development within the same domain.
• Knowledge and experience with modern software development practices, including version control and workflow management tools including JIRA, Clarity, Github, Gitlab, Subversion, Perforce, Bitbucket, Bamboo, Crucible, Jenkins, etc.
• Knowledge and experience with process control/controls engineering industry standards, platforms/languages/technologies, including PLCs, FPGAs, embedded controllers/microcontrollers, RTOS programming environments, HMI and SCADA solutions.
• Prior experience authoring and/or augmenting motion control software packages for Industrial or Entertainment focused applications.
• Demonstrable technical writing, documentation, and communication skills.
• Willing to travel on behalf of the company to project destinations for the purposes of business trips (between overnight and 6 months stay), and also relocation (between 6 months and two-year stay).

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with: IEC61131-3 programming languages, EtherCAT, ADS, DS-402, Profibus, DMX/sACN, OPC-UA, MQTT, C#, Python, Java.
• Familiarity and/or experience with: MS Visual Studio, RSLogix, Matlab, Robot OS (ROS), AutoDesk Maya, Motion Builder, AutoCAD
• Experience with TwinCAT3 is a strong plus.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, and computer engineering from an accredited college or university. Advanced degrees preferred.

Additional Information:

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 at

The hiring range for this position in California is $171,600.00-$230,100.00 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.