Senior Manager, Software Development

Senior Manager, Software Development – Motion Picture Labs

About The Team

It’s the magic of immersing yourself in a motion picture masterpiece, or a new track from your favorite band, or the spectacle of a live Broadway show. It’s hard to define and even harder to create, but that’s what we do at The Walt Disney Studios. Ours is a culture of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. We raise the bar, then step over it, blazing trails through the production and distribution of world class entertainment around the globe. If you want to help, tell compelling, enduring stories through movies, music or stage plays, then we want to hear from you.

As part of the Studio Technology organization, you will join a group of seasoned technologists dedicated to solving a range of creative problems through innovation, strategy, and forward thinking. This role sits within the Motion Picture Labs at Walt Disney Studios, which is a group of specialty film making labs in Production Technology providing production services, research, development, innovation and support required for civilized filmmaking.

Job Overview

As a Senior Manager, Software Development, you will oversee the design, development, and delivery of high-quality software solutions while ensuring alignment with our company’s strategic goals. You will manage multiple projects, mentor and guide engineers, and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and deliver exceptional products for The Walt Disney Studios live action banners (i.e. Marvel Studios, Disney Live Action, Twentieth Century Studios). You will report to the VP, Production Technology within the Motion Pictures Lab in Burbank, CA. 

Role & Responsibilities

• Manage scalable automation and software development for The Walt Disney Studios' live-action banners, including Marvel Studios, Disney Live Action, and Twentieth Century Studios.
• Oversees architecture, software and pipeline Technical Director teams responsible for all aspects of the production pipeline, including on-set operations, plate processing, rendering, color correction, review, finishing, stereo, and editorial.
• Directs and mentors’ architecture, software, and pipeline team leaders working on core backend, microservice development, along with web and desktop applications for film production.
• Responsible for the performance and results of these architecture, software, and pipeline teams.
• Partners with film production stakeholders and other teams to deliver solutions efficiently under tight deadlines.
• Manages priorities and objectives for engineers, designers, and project managers to address evolving business needs in film production.
• Leads collaboration between engineering leadership to define requirements and ensure effective architecture, deployment, and distribution of Motion Picture Labs products.
• Defines how software integrates with film production pipelines and ensures smooth connectivity through succinct routes.
• Plays a key role in integrating innovative solutions into film production pipelines.
• Develops and enforces software standards and best practices, maintaining high code quality, performance, and security.
• Lead initiatives and events to boost workplace morale and culture, including recognizing team members for their achievements and successes.
• Mentor team members to support career growth, providing guidance on skill development, and professional opportunities.
• Conducts performance reviews, provides feedback, and supports career development for team members.
• Oversees the software development budget, allocates resources effectively, and ensures the team has the necessary tools and infrastructure.

Basic Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years in software development
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Leadership: Proven experience in leading development teams and delivering software solutions to stakeholders.
• Experience with Dailies, VFX, animation, or film production related fields.
• Knowledge of key software development aspects supporting production, such as asset management, rendering, review, and editorial.
• Proficiency in development languages and frameworks (e.g., Python, Django, Postgres, RabbitMQ).
• Experience with modern development frameworks, cloud platforms, and agile methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to inspire teams.
• Familiarity with project management tools and methodologies (e.g., Jira) and the ability to handle multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders through visual aids and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Actively participates in the open-source production software community to introduce new innovations and ideas to the team.
• Keeps up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies to drive innovation and maintain a competitive advantage.
• Thorough understanding of various systems and workflows, with the ability to adapt to changing business environments.
• Evaluates significant business challenges and leads the development of innovative solutions or the resolution of complex issues using analytical judgement.
• Influences outcomes with considerable autonomy, effectively addressing complex issues with a strong awareness.