WDI Research & Development Intern-Technical Project Management, Summer 2026
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10143524 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Feb. 27, 2026Job Summary:
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 Technical Project Manager Intern partners with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development (WDI R&D) Technical Program Managers (TPMs), Imagineers, and project leads to support the development of next‑generation ideas, tools, technologies, and experiences. This internship provides hands-on exposure to technical project execution in an R&D environment, supporting the transition of early innovation into tangible prototypes and platforms that inspire Imagineers and delight guests around the world.
This role blends foundational project management skills with technical curiosity, strong communication, and a passion for innovation within a creative, multidisciplinary studio.
What You’ll Learn/Deliver
- Build and maintain scope, budget, and schedule artifacts for projects
- Run effective meeting logistics (agendas, notes, actions) and follow-through to closure.
- Produce clear weekly status updates that highlight progress, risks, and next steps.
- Practice stakeholder communication across technical and creative partners.
- Support vendor/partner coordination and deliverable tracking when applicable.
What You Will Do
- Support TPMs and project leads across multiple technical initiatives; functionally report into TPM leadership and be matrixed into assigned projects.
- Assist in producing and maintaining scope, budget, and schedule artifacts for projects.
- Coordinate and facilitate collaboration between team members, studio partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinate information and deliverables with internal and external suppliers and partners.
- Help drive the communication plan to team members, project leads, executives, and stakeholders (status, decisions, and action tracking).
- Organize and maintain detailed task tracking systems for complex, technical projects.
- Contribute to the culture and community of the WDI R&D Studio.
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail
- Ability to translate high‑level ideas into actionable tasks with guidance
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Collaborative mindset and comfort working with diverse, multidisciplinary teams
- Positive attitude with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
Preferred Qualifications & Skills
- Exposure to project management tools (e.g., Jira, Smartsheet, Asana, MS Project, or similar)
- Familiarity with agile, waterfall, or hybrid development methodologies
- Academic or personal experience in mechanical, electrical, software, or systems engineering
- Interest in robotics, immersive experiences, prototyping, or emerging technologies
- Prior internship, research, or team‑based project experience
Education
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, project management, or a related technical field
Eligibility Requirements & Program Information
- Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Possess unrestricted work authorization
- Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or Disney College Program
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 internship program in the Glendale, CA area
- Able to provide/have reliable transportation to/from work
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.
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