Walt Disney Imagineering’s Research & Development organization is building a new Intelligent Interactive Character Studio to allow Guests and our beloved characters to share new interactive experiences and stories. The team is comprised of a cross-disciplinary group of designers, writers, artists, and software engineers. Its charter includes developing a robust and scalable entertainment platform supporting interactive character experiences with up to millions of concurrent users. The studio develops mobile, VR, AR, Mixed Reality, and custom physically situated applications built on a core platform, independently and in partnership with 3rd party developers.

This role combines a strong engineering and technology background with proven project management abilities to cultivate innovation and drive project execution. As a Technical Program Manager, you are a critical part of turning ideas and prototypes into reality, collaborating with engineers and designers to define, scope, budget, and execute project work. In the Intelligent Interactive Character Studio, you will drive the planning and execution of high-complexity software initiatives to deliver new character experiences for the Walt Disney Company.

Responsibilities :

• Partner with R&D Project Leads to define the programmatic strategy to accomplish the technical and creative vision for the product

• Create and maintain requirements, project scope, schedule, budget, staffing plans, and project roadmaps

• Build, lead and motivate diverse teams that include creatives, various types of engineers, manufacturing, vendors, operations, logistics, and shared services

• Source, identify, and qualify external vendors through the generation of requests for proposals, conducting make/buy analyses, vendor down-selection matrices and working with legal to negotiate contracts for vendor selection

• Drive communication across team members, project leads, executives, and project stakeholders, creating and delivering information in different methods including verbal, written and visual

• Plan and execute internal and external playtests

• Risk analysis and development of mitigation strategies for technical, creative, business, regulatory and competitive risks

• Define post-delivery sustainment requirements and level of effort estimates

• Identify and deliver on technology transfer opportunities

• Identify and recommend internal process improvements

• Engender internal and external relationships

• Contribute to the culture and community of the WDI R&D Studio

Basic Qualifications :

• Minimum five years of experience in industries that leverage both software and hardware deliveries such as robotics/mechatronics, artificial intelligence, game engine/systems, aerospace or embedded systems technologies

• Program/project management experience on software development projects with a proven ability to manage both large and small projects and selecting the appropriate workflow management methodology to accomplish the project goals (e.g. agile, kanban, integrated project management, etc.)

• Embraces flexibility and adaptability as the team learns through prototyping and playtesting, adjusting project plans as needed

• Translates high level scope/vision into actionable plans

• Proven ability to clearly communicate the project vision, expectations, and outcomes to engineers, creatives and executives across all levels within the organization

• Experienced in building and motivating highly effective teams

• Works collaboratively on diverse teams

• Thinks strategically and creatively to solve challenges

• Manages & prioritizes multiple assignments in a highly dynamic R&D environment

• Has a passion for technology and delivering new tools, platforms and experiences

• Demonstrates a desire to constantly improve and adapt to new technologies

• Is highly dependable with strong work ethic

Preferred Qualifications :

• Startup / entrepreneurial experience

• Experience working with early development teams and prototype products

• Computer science, computer engineering or systems engineering experience

• PMP certification

Required Education :

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, or computer science, systems engineering or related field

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Additional Information:

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.