Lead Software Engineer
Disney
Manchester, United Kingdom
At The Walt Disney Company we're building what strives to be the largest media streaming platform in the world, serving not just Disney+, but also ESPN+ and Hulu. Every day is a moment to make a difference for hundreds of millions of people around the world!
You'll find the teams in Manchester working on high throughput globally distributed systems, covering domains such as Growth & Commerce, Reliability, and Experience & Engagement - which includes our in-house Experimentation platform. We have a mature DevOps culture and collaborate on all areas of the technology stack: including UI, backend services, real time data pipelines, and cloud infrastructure.
Our team members all contribute to a dynamic, inclusive, and self-motivated culture, and are responsible for the full development, delivery, and operational support of critical global services.
We're looking for people who want to challenge themselves, to grow; people who understand scale and care deeply about reliability. You will be surrounded by colleagues eager to help you succeed and be part of an ambitious, rewarding culture.
What You Will Do
• Split your time between management, leadership, and technical mentorship - working alongside to maintain an understanding of the technical and architectural problems your team are solving.
• Lead agile squads that are fully responsible for delivering critical global products or services, driving innovation and collaboration within the team.
• Build a diverse software development team through training, career development, recruiting, and process improvements. Creating an inclusive environment where people can do their best work.
• Define the roadmap and engineering vision for your team. Working in partnership with your peers across Product, Project Management, and Engineering to ensure alignment with the strategic goals of the organisation.
• Promote and support Agile methodologies by contributing to regular ceremonies such as stand-up, retrospectives, and sprint planning.
Things we're looking for
We don't expect candidates to be strong in all areas - these are not barriers to entry. Strength in some areas and an appetite to learn and improve is what we're interested in!
• Experience as a people manager leading agile teams responsible for the delivery of large scale distributed systems.
• A preference for delegating and empowering your team, but with the ability to be hands on when required.
• Understanding of high-quality coding, testing, and development practices.
• Experience in a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) language such as: Java, Scala, or Kotlin.
• Familiarity with at least one of the following cloud providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Compute (GCP), or Microsoft Azure.
• Comfort working with ambiguous requirements and leading conversations where discordant views are present.
The interview process
We view interviewing as a two-way process and take a relaxed, practical approach that reflects how our teams work together daily. This involves reviewing code, pair programming, and solving an architectural problem together. We'll conclude with a non-technical interview where we'll both spend time understanding what it will be like working with each other.
The Perks
• 25 days annual leave
• Private medical insurance & dental care
• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free
• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing
• Excellent parental and guardian leave
• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.
The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
About Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology:
Disney Entertainment and ESPN Technology (DE&E Technology) provides the technological backbone and product development for Disney's two media business units, while helping to keep the company at the vanguard of innovation – enabling the Company to continuously leverage technology to enhance storytelling and creativity, while delivering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency for its businesses.
This position is with The Walt Disney Company Limited, which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology.
The Walt Disney Company Limited is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, colour, religion or belief, sex, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability or pregnancy or maternity. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rz0jnn-3-144-107-5-42 in your application.
The Walt Disney Company Media Networks segment includes cable and broadcast television networks, television production and distribution operations, publishing, domestic television stations, digital businesses and radio networks and stations.