About the Role & Team
Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life.
Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented Imagineers are responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals who bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.
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Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development (WDI R&D) is a team of engineers, designers, artists, and scientists who share a passion for building ground-breaking experiences and solving hard problems. At WDI R&D, our mission is to creatively apply technology to invent new experiences for our Guests and new tools for the Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks.
As a Principal R&D Imagineer – Creative Technologist, you will apply a combination of technical expertise, creative vision, and strategic leadership to help define, prioritize, design, prototype, and ultimately deploy groundbreaking new experiences and tools for Disney Guests, Cast, and Imagineers globally.
What You Will Do
Work with internal and external partners to define technology development priorities and long-term roadmaps for future-themed entertainment experiences.
Lead multiple medium to large-scale R&D projects, ensuring alignment with creative goals and business needs while driving innovation.
Bridge the gap between creative aspirations and technological feasibility, guiding teams in selecting, creatively adapting, or inventing new tools and systems.
Oversee the creation of interactive prototypes, proof-of-concept demonstrations, and scalable production solutions across various hardware and software platforms.
Partner across Imagineering, business, and operations teams to quantify impact and drive the adoption and deployment of new R&D capabilities into ongoing, long-term use.
Communicate technical possibilities to non-technical audiences and effectively advocate for new innovations with senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies and trends, identifying opportunities to integrate cutting-edge advancements into Disney experiences.
Provide guidance to junior and mid-level Imagineers, fostering technical and creative development within the R&D organization while contributing to the overall culture and community of the WDI R&D Studio.
Required Qualifications & Skills
10+ years of experience in creative technology, innovation, or interactive experience development.
Proven expertise in designing and developing innovative, technology-driven experiences in entertainment, interactive media, or themed environments
Extensive experience leading complex R&D initiatives from concept through deployment, with a track record of delivering transformative technologies with a creative or experiential focus.
Strong ability to translate between creative storytelling and technical execution, ensuring that technology enhances and enables immersive experiences.
A broad understanding, comfort, and enthusiasm for technology and the ability to quickly and proactively learn new technologies, techniques, and tools
Mastery of software and hardware prototyping tools and collaboration platforms with hands-on experience delivering projects using one or more of the following: game engines (Unreal, Unity), interactive media (TouchDesigner, Processing), or hardware systems (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, custom electronics).
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences, including executives, engineers, designers, and external partners.
Experience managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with creative, engineering, and business stakeholders to drive innovation.
Preferred Qualifications
Deep expertise in a specific emerging technology relevant to themed entertainment (e.g., AI, spatial computing, robotics, AR/VR, haptics, or machine learning).
Experience with large-scale, multi-platform interactive installations, theme park attractions, or immersive environments.
Demonstrated ability to secure and manage external partnerships, including research institutions, startups, or technology vendors.
Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant technical or creative discipline (e.g., Computer Science, Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Experience Design, Media Arts, Entertainment Technology).
Additional engineering degree, minor, or coursework preferred (e.g. Computer Science Engineering, Human-Computer Interaction, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering.
Additional Information
This role is located in Glendale, CA.
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Benefits and Perks: 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 about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $184,300 to $247,100 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.