Demo

Director, Machine Learning Engineering

Disney Direct to Consumer
San Francisco, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 1/16/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 4/13/2025

The Machine Learning Engineering (MLE) team helps Data Scientists build models at the scale and velocity required for Personalization, Forecasting, Marketing, Content and Audience Segmentation, Payments Optimization, Fraud prevention and many other use cases. Our ML Engineers work with Data Scientists to build data ingestion pipelines and launch efficient high-performance models. This work informs decisions affecting millions of consumers, with a direct tie to The Walt Disney Company’s revenue. MLE is a tight data-driven team with big goals seeking people who solve the toughest challenges at scale, using and building distributed systems in a fast-paced collaborative team environment.

The Director of MLE builds and leads a team of high performing ML Managers and Engineers, supporting multiple sophisticated platforms, infrastructure, and applications for Disney. The Director also builds relationships with critical teams across the organization both internal and external to ensure the smooth collaboration needed to deliver these projects. This includes external vendors, executive sponsors and partners, program managers, architects, engineers, governance and legal, and others.

What the Director of MLE Does :

  • Clearly communicate a vision to the team and executive leadership that defines the team’s purpose, ownership, contribution, commitment to quality, excellence, and a business enabling agile DevOps culture – promoting and driving technical innovation.
  • Collaborate with data scientists to build internal infrastructure and services, improving their productivity through self-serve tooling and direct support
  • Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and technological advancements in AI / ML and recommend new technologies and methods that could benefit the organization.
  • Collaborate with senior leadership and other department heads to align AI / ML initiatives with business objectives
  • Collaborate with technical leaders, providing senior technical direction on enterprise level projects while being a champion of change and proactive business development.
  • Oversee, mentor, and develop managers and engineers who are proficient in software, mathematics and machine learning. Guide career management and set operational direction for areas of ownership.
  • Regularly meet with key partners and collaborators to gain feedback, align on needs, and grow overall team impact.
  • Hold exemplary leadership and communication abilities (both verbal and written), partnering closely with business, creative, and technology leaders to pitch new insights and deliver public presentations.
  • Own outcomes and resolve project or program delays, conflicts, and performance issues.
  • Influence others through data-based persuasion and fact-based argument.
  • Oversee financial planning, test and production environments, architectural fit, compliance, resource scheduling, delivery landmarks, collaboration, and service level objectives.
  • Lead others through example and inspiration, bring a can-do attitude, and deliver magic to your team and business partners.

Required Qualifications

  • BS in Computer Science, Software, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field of study
  • 12 years of experience leading software engineering teams, supporting and deploying products or services
  • 5 years of previous hands-on experience as an engineer
  • Detailed knowledge of programming languages (Python, Go, C , Ruby, Java, etc.) and core internet protocols (TCP / IP, DNS, HTTP, etc.)
  • Experience with Hadoop, Spark and related big data tools
  • Experience deploying and optimizing AI / ML models and frameworks at scale
  • Experience managing multiple hosting environments including public and private cloud solutions
  • Experience working with data subject to privacy, governance and legal policies
  • Experience taking an idea through the full solution life cycle : hypothesis testing, data wrangling, modeling, proof of concept, conclusion and hand-over to engineering teams for deployment
  • Experience with data visualization, metrics, and data analysis
  • Familiarity with test case design, test case management, version control, and configuration management
  • Experience with risk management / risk assessment, and continuous integration / continuous delivery
  • Adept at overall software development process and agile methodologies
  • Excellent written and verbal communications, validated ability to develop and deliver presentations geared for Senior and Executive Management
  • Ability to manage budgets, contract language, and vendor management relationships
  • Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s or PHD in Computer Science, Software, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field of study
  • Hands-on technical skills
  • Related training & certifications
  • Intellectual curiosity and probabilistic thinking
  • The hiring range for this position in New York City and Seattle areas are $212,600 - $285,100 per year, in Los Angeles, CA area is $202,900 - $272,100 and in San Francisco Bay Area is $$222,200 - $297,900 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.

    Salary : $202,900 - $272,100

    If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
    Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

    What is the career path for a Director, Machine Learning Engineering?

    Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Director, Machine Learning Engineering career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
    Income Estimation: 
    $211,413 - $298,244
    Income Estimation: 
    $225,143 - $323,269
    Income Estimation: 
    $101,387 - $124,118
    Income Estimation: 
    $119,030 - $151,900
    Income Estimation: 
    $179,606 - $233,815
    Income Estimation: 
    $211,413 - $298,244
    View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

    Job openings at Disney Direct to Consumer

    Disney Direct to Consumer
    Hired Organization Address Santa Monica, CA Full Time
    Hulu is an integral part of Disney’s Direct to Consumer (DTC) organization, leading premium streaming service offerings ...
    Disney Direct to Consumer
    Hired Organization Address New York, NY Full Time
    About the Role & Team Disney’s Direct to Consumer (DTC) team oversees the Hulu and Disney streaming businesses within th...
    Disney Direct to Consumer
    Hired Organization Address New York, NY Full Time
    Job Details About The Role Join Disney's Quality of Experience, Devices & Identity Analytics team as a Data Analyst. You...
    Disney Direct to Consumer
    Hired Organization Address New York, NY Full Time
    Job Details Data Scientists at Direct to Consumer are the insights and modeling partners for the growth, content, market...

    Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Director, Machine Learning Engineering jobs in the San Francisco, CA area that may be a better fit.

    Director, Machine Learning Engineering

    The Walt Disney Company, San Francisco, CA

    Director, Machine Learning Engineering

    Hulu, San Francisco, CA

    AI Assistant is available now!

    Feel free to start your new journey!