Lead Innovation Engineer

Job Description

Disney StudioLAB is the partner-powered technology innovation group within Disney Studios that works with the Studios to embrace what's next. We are a cross-functional team of technologists who work to accelerate the responsible adoption of emerging technologies that enhance storytelling, transform productions, and incubate new business opportunities. Through creative expertise, strategic partnerships, and rapid prototyping, StudioLAB de-risks experimentation and delivers solutions that our partners can confidently scale.
We are currently seeking a Lead Innovation Engineer - AI who can test and build rapid prototypes to understand and evaluate the feasibility of new technologies for the Studios' business needs. We are looking for someone who can drive human-centric and creative-first solutions leveraging the latest in emerging AI technologies. This role is focused on experimentation, rapid iteration, and technical exploration to inform scalable pipeline strategies.

Responsibilities:
• Prototyping and Innovation: Develop rapid prototypes and demos using in-market AI models and tools to inform business decisioning and accelerate adoption of new technology.
• Testing and Evaluation: develop tooling and methodologies to evaluate emerging AI models, APIs, and tools for production or operational needs
• Cross-functional Collaboration: work with internal stakeholders to ensure that development is meeting the needs of Disney's business and iterate the technology and approach based on stakeholder feedback.
• Documentation and Communication: document and communicate key learnings, approaches, and instructions for other teams to leverage the results of your prototypes and experiments.
• Subject Matter Expertise: stay up to date on state-of-the-art AI techniques and production technology to evaluate emerging technologies and drive innovation.
• Optimization and Adaptation: optimize and adapt AI systems for quality, efficiency, and controllability to meet the needs of Disney's stakeholders.
• Vendor and Partner Direction: provide requirement and direction to teams of vendors or external partner resources to complete engineering tasks in support of the work that you are driving.
Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, machine learning, AI, or related field - or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in software engineering or AI/ML engineering.
• Proven experience in working in new and emerging technologies for a variety of business applications
• A proven track record of adaptability in working across different technology tools and languages
• Previous experience working in technology for creative, media, or film production
• Technical proficiency in working with generative AI models for imagery and video.
• Ability to problem solve, debug, refine, and evaluate prototype quality with minimal technical supervision
• Strong collaboration skills: must be able to work in a collaborative team environment with creative and technical stakeholders
• Ability to balance the technical needs and capabilities with the human and creative centric approach to filmmaking
• Comfortable working in a creative environment with iterative feedback, evolving ideas, and often ambiguous inputs

Required Education:
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, machine learning, AI, or related field - or equivalent experience
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with real-time and game-engine technologies (e.g. Unreal, Unity)
• Familiarity with film and TV production processes and pipelines
• PHD in Computer Science or related field
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About The Walt Disney Studios:
For over 95 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today it brings quality movies, episodic storytelling, music, and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. The Walt Disney Studios encompasses a collection of respected film studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures. It is also home to Disney Theatrical Productions, producer of world-class stage shows.

This position is with Walt Disney Pictures, which is part of a business we call The Walt Disney Studios.
Walt Disney Pictures 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.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-eok870-18-97-9-174-42 in your application.