Senior Research Scientist
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10124364 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Jan. 28, 2026Job Summary:
About the Role & Team:
“Any sufficiently complex technology is indistinguishable from magic.” - Arthur C. Clarke
At Imagineering, we are constantly exploring new ways to connect with our guests – to surprise them, make them smile, and open their minds to magic - not just in our parks and resorts, but everywhere around the world.
At Walt Disney Imagineering Research and Development, this "magic" emerges from the application of world-class technology and everything from new Guest-facing experiences to new tools for Imagineers and Cast Members who power our parks and bring that magic to life. Our team of engineers, designers, artists, and scientists share a passion for solving impossible problems and building ground-breaking experiences.
At Disney Research Imagineering, we pursue and apply the science behind the magic: unlocking new opportunities for Imagineering in all aspects of project lifecycles, from early phase creative ideation to deployment.
We are seeking a Senior Research Scientist to lead foundational and applied research at the intersection of generative AI and human-robot interaction (HRI). This role involves designing, developing, and deploying systems and methods to support creative, interactive robotic and animatronic use cases across Disney’s themed entertainment portfolio. As a key scientific contributor and thought leader, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams of researchers, engineers, and creatives. Your work will span exploratory investigations, peer-reviewed research, and the translation of experimental technologies into tools and functional robots.
You will report to the Associate Lab Director and contribute to the robotics research strategy for Walt Disney Imagineering R&D.
This is a Full-Time role.
What You Will Do:
Conduct original research in HRI reinforcement learning, focusing on interaction, decision-making, agentic behavior, and world- and interlocutor responsiveness.
Develop RL learning policies and algorithms that enhance the blend of creative and physics-compliant robotic characters.
Prototype generative systems that support creative workflows for experience development
Evaluate SOTA generative AI models and techniques for feasibility, fidelity, and integration into creative pipelines.
Collaborate with internal and external research partners, including academic institutions, industry labs, and vendors.
Translate scientific insights into working prototypes that bridge creative design and real-world implementation.
Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the technical direction of robotics initiatives within the lab.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
5+ years of post-doctoral research experience in HRI, CHI, reinforcement learning, machine learning, or robotics with published work in top-tier conferences/journals (e.g. HRI, CHI, SIGGRAPH, IROS, NeurIPS, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to bridge theoretical research with real-world implementation.
Deep expertise in human-robot interaction, with a focus on behavior, verbal and non-verbal communication, and world- and interlocutor-responsiveness.
Expertise in reinforcement learning for reasoning and interaction.
Expertise in generative models in both the vision and language space.
Proficiency in PyTorch, Python, C++.
Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas to multidisciplinary teams.
A desire to work in a creative environment where technical and creative experts collaborate and challenge each other every day to achieve truly groundbreaking solutions
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
Track record of technology transfer, patents, or deployed robotic control systems.
Contributions to open-source projects or prior work in research labs or innovation teams.
Familiarity with the hospitality, theme park, entertainment industries, or other directly guest/user-facing robot applications is a plus.
Education:
PhD required in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computational Design, or a related field, with specialization in AI/ML or Robotics.
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.
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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $188,400 - $252,600 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.
About Walt Disney Imagineering:
Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.
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 that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. 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 WDI Research & Development, Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.
WDI Research & Development, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.