Making streaming magic: Meet Riyaz, Lead Software Engineer

Disney and Pixar’s “Coco” and “Turning Red” are two of Riyaz’s favorite films. “They both capture the importance of culture, family and self-discovery in such beautiful ways,” says Riyaz. He was drawn to Disney’s ability to create stories that resonate deeply with audiences. “Being part of a company that creates these kinds of meaningful stories is incredibly rewarding and inspiring.”

It's those stories that led Riyaz to a career in technology at Disney and continue to fuel his day-to-day. “I chose to work at Disney because of its unparalleled reputation for storytelling, innovation and creating magical experiences. The opportunity to contribute to the technology that powers such an iconic brand was incredibly exciting.”

Riyaz is part of an ad data infrastructure & DevOps team that is tasked with architecting Disney’s ad infrastructure to ensure it is adaptable and efficient. Whether orchestrating complex data workflows, transforming massive data sets, or implementing real-time streaming pipelines, Riyaz and his team focus on building scalable and forward-thinking solutions.

The uniqueness of working in ad platform engineering is literal magic according to Riyaz. “Being an ad data infrastructure and DevOps engineer at Disney is like being a behind-the-scenes magician in the world of entertainment and media. It’s thrilling to know that the data platforms and infrastructure we build are the backbone of how Disney’s magic reaches audiences worldwide.”

Riyaz cites joining the team as one of the most fascinating and transformative phases of his career. “Working in this space helped me grow not only technically but also professionally and personally. It offered me the opportunity to deepen my knowledge in DevOps, cloud technologies and overall software development. The dynamic challenges and fast-paced nature of the ad tech space made it a deeply enriching experience.”

The technology that powers Disney’s platforms is complex but Riyaz and his team of engineers relish the challenge. “What I enjoy most about working within Disney's complex technology ecosystem is the constant challenge and opportunity to innovate. The intricacy of managing data platforms and infrastructure at such a massive scale allows me to work on cutting-edge solutions that are critical to delivering Disney’s magic seamlessly to users worldwide.”

At Disney, no two days are the same, and Riyaz credits having a supportive team of technologists that fuels their success. “It's incredibly rewarding to handle these challenges alongside a collaborative, smart team. The blend of innovation, teamwork and meaningful impact makes working in this ecosystem not just a job but an exciting and enriching journey.”

The unique nature of Disney’s vast processes is one reason Riyaz encourages others to work in technology at Disney. “If you’re someone who thrives on real-time challenges and enjoys working in a demanding yet technologically advanced environment, Disney is truly the best place to be. The opportunities here are unlike anywhere else—you’ll find yourself solving exciting problems and working on platforms and solutions that impact millions of people around the globe.”

Join our team in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and beyond. Explore our open roles and apply today.

To learn more about technology career opportunities at Disney, visit DisneyTech.com. Follow Disney Careers on Facebook and Instagram or The Walt Disney Company on LinkedIn to hear more about our technology, our employees and how we are aligning technology, content and platforms to deliver world-class, personalized entertainment experiences to consumers around the world.