WDI Research & Development Intern - Creative Technologist, Summer 2026

Summary: Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the creative development and engineering arm of The Walt Disney Company. The Creative Technologist Intern will design and implement technology-driven experiences to enhance guest experiences, working closely with creative and engineering teams. Responsibilities: - 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: - 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 - 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) - 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 - 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 - Be at least 18 years of age - Possess unrestricted work authorization - 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 Preferred Qualifications: - 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 Required Skills: Software Development, 3D Modeling, Game Engines (Unreal), Web Technologies (Javascript) Important Skills: Rapid Prototyping, User Research, Computer Vision (OpenCV) Nice-to-Have Skills: Cross-functional Collaboration, Communication Skills Internship Start Date: Start in 2026 Summer Benefits: Medical, Financial, Other benefits