Senior Data Scientist

About the Role & Team

We create happiness.” That’s our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you’ll help encourage that magic by enabling our company to push the limits and build the never-before-seen! Are you ready to join this team and make an impact?

Disney Experiences (DX) is a world-class entertainment and technology leader. Walt’s passion was to innovate continuously and push the boundaries of what is possible, which remains central in our business today. Uniting each endeavor is a commitment to creating and delivering unforgettable experiences, and we’re constantly looking for new ways to enhance these exciting experiences for our guests. A Sr. Data Scientist in this group will help guide the creation, installation, and support the data analysis and development of machine learning models for our attractions. We work closely with internal partners to deliver world-class guest experiences with interactive & data systems across DPEP. You will be reporting to the Attractions Operational Technology organization.

This is a full-time role.

What You Will Do

• Conducting advanced data analysis, modeling, and experimentation to derive actionable insights and drive strategic decision-making.
• Staying ahead of the latest advancements in data science techniques, tools, and technologies and applying them to solve complex problems optimally.
• Developing and deploying predictive models to forecast future trends, behavior, or outcomes based on historical data in the attraction space.
• Evaluating model performance and refining algorithms to improve accuracy, reliability, and scalability.
• Designing and implementing A/B tests or other experiments to validate model predictions and optimize business processes.
• Collaborating with business partners to translate predictive insights into actionable recommendations and strategic initiatives.
• Regularly supervising and updating predictive models ensure they remain relevant and effective in dynamic business environments.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 5+ year experience in Python.
• 3+ year experience with GCP or other cloud provider.
• 3+ years of predictive modeling experience.
• Knowledge of Software Development Life cycle and QA processes.
• Experience with revision control software, such as GitHub and GitLab.
• Experience with Model Ops and setting up CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with Docker.
• Experience with both structured and unstructured data.
• Experience with computer vision.
• Experience leading a complex project.
• Ability to explain technical solutions in simple terms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Airflow or another data workflow management tool.
• Experience with SQL and PostgreSQL databases.
• Experience with Kubernetes.
• Experience with cloud deployments in GCP or another cloud platform.
• Experience with Atlassian Tools such as Jira & Confluence.
• Experience with Agile development methods.
• Experience with automated testing, continuous integration, and continuous development.
• Experience with data visualization and data monitoring tools (e.g. Splunk, Plotly, Tableau).
• Knowledge of Object-Oriented Software Design Patterns.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Data Science, Statistics, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent technical background.
• PREFERRED: Master of Science in Data Science, Statistics, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent technical background.

Additional Information

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.

About Walt Disney World Resort:

Since opening in 1971, Walt Disney World Resort has played an important role in many childhood and family memories. Today, hundreds of millions of guests from around the globe visit this magical place to enjoy a Disney vacation. Through a combination of creativity, innovation and technology, the resort immerses guests in classic Disney tales and new kinds of family entertainment. Drawing from a rich heritage of storytelling, Walt Disney World Resort cast members bring Disney magic to life through unmatched attention to detail and superior guest service.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Disney Parks, and Experiences and Products. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. 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.