WDI Robotics Software Engineering Intern, Summer 2026
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10142254 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Mar. 16, 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.
What we're looking for…
We’re looking for a robotics software engineering intern to support development of free-walking robotic characters within our R&D department. The ideal candidate will work at the intersection of live entertainment and robotics to help design new tools and capabilities to enable autonomous experiences and dynamic shows featuring our characters. You will work with artists and engineers to develop software tools to author robotic performances that integrate on-board and off-board perception to support autonomous interactions. We are looking for proactive problem solvers with a strong foundation in robotics and a passion for innovation.
What you will do
You will…
- Develop custom software tools to aid in the design of dynamic shows featuring multiple robotic characters
- Integrate and test localization and perception modules that enable autonomous capabilities
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine software requirements
- Document design iterations, perform end-to-end tests, and analyze results
Required Skills & Qualifications.
- Experience developing planning, perception, and/or control software for robotic systems or game engines
- Proficiency in Python
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with character animation and/or animation tooling including Unreal or Maya
- Familiarity with robot orchestration and/or behavior authoring for autonomous multi-agent systems
- Experience developing and deploying custom models for perception, localization, or navigation
- Familiarity developing and debugging complex systems using logging and introspection tools
Education
Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher at an accredited college/university, earning a degree in Robotics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related 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 hour 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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