WDI Research & Development Intern - Creative Technologist, Summer 2026
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10142984 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Feb. 27, 2026Job Summary:
About our Program: Magic is Within You
Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research arm of The Walt Disney Company’s (TWDC) Parks and Resorts business segment. Representing more than 150 disciplines, the talented corps of Imagineers are responsible for the creation of Disney resorts, theme parks and attractions, hotels, water parks, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, cruise ships and new media technology projects.
The Creative Technologist Intern will design and implement technology driven experiences that provide the best possible guest experience
What You Will Do
- Works with creative, design and engineering teams to design and execute experiences that come off the screen through concept, production, testing and deployment
- Applies technology to tell stories and solve user problems across a range of platforms and devices
- Informs the creative process by performing research and prototyping with the latest technologies
- Identifies opportunities for innovative experiences driven by new tools and technical advances
- Builds rapid prototypes, proof of concepts through production level code and hardware development
- Participates in scoping and planning work
- Presents and articulates experiences to internal stakeholders, internal audiences, and non-technical project participants
- Rapidly produces interim deliverables (such as style guide components, technical specifications, prototypes, proofs of concept, etc.)
Required Qualifications & Creative Skills
- Participates in concept and ideation sessions
- Develops innovative ways to tell stories and create user experiences
- Conceptualizes user interactions and interfaces through iterative design process
- Develops varying fidelity prototypes to demonstrate user interaction and interfaces (Adobe Creative Suite, 3D Modeling, Software Development, Crafting)
- Incorporates user research and usability testing to iterate on solutions
Required Qualications & Technical Skills
- Designs and develops custom software + hardware solutions
- Develops previsualization and experiences using game engines (Unreal)
- Develops real time generative graphics (Cinder/C++/OpenGL/WebGL/Metal)
- Develops web technologies and tools (Javascript)
- Develops firmware for integrated systems (Arduino)
- Develops software for microcomputing platforms (Raspberry Pi, Edison, Jetson)
- Develops native applications for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
- Designs and builds custom PCBs
- Develops rapid prototypes (Cinder, openFrameworks, TouchDesigner, Processing)
- Implements computer vision and other sensing capabilities (OpenCV, External Sensor Integration)
Preferred Qualifications & Skills
- Manages multiple campaigns/projects simultaneously
- Communicates the product’s vision and articulate design decisions and trade-offs to partners and clients, both verbally and visually
- Facilitates cross-functional collaboration across different areas
Education
- Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher, in an accredited college/university, earning a degree majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Management Information Systems, Information Technology or related field.
Eligibility Requirements & Program Information
- Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class in the semester/quarter (spring/fall) prior to participation in the internship program OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship.
- Current Disney Interns, College, International, or Culinary Program Participants: You may only work for ONE consecutive year (12 months) in any combination of an internship and/or program.
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Possess unrestricted work authorization
Additional Information
- Able to have a consistent, reliable work schedule throughout the internship
- Fully available from Monday through Friday for the duration of the internship, 40 hours each week
- Able to provide own housing for the duration of the internship program in the Glendale, CA area
- Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work
- Approximate dates of the internship are May/June 2026 through August/September 2026
The pay rate for this role in Glendale, CA is $42 per hour for undergraduate and $47 per house for graduate. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
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.
Watch Our Jobs
Sign up to receive new job alerts and company information based on your preferences.
For Disney Job Alerts to work, JavaScript must be enabled in your browser.