Principal Ride Project Engineer

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Walt Disney Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research & development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation - from concept through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks, and attractions.

Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals that bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion. At Ride Engineering, it is our responsibility to move people through our stories in magical ways that bring these experiences to life! Ride Engineers bring optimism and solutions to design challenges that often seem impossible and partner with diverse creative talent to define and build one of a kind experiences that bring fun and joy to millions of people all around the world. We Create to Inspire!

The Ride Project Engineer is the leader of a multi-discipline Ride Engineering team for a project and is responsible for delivering ride systems on time and on budget. They are responsible for every aspect of ride system design & development, from concept through testing and handover for a wide variety of innovative ride platforms that include unique requirements for extreme duty cycles, high reliability, and inherent life safety. They must collaborate on diverse teams that include both technical and creative members and be able to adapt in an environment where scope and requirements change frequently.

The Ride Project Engineer Principal will report to the Executive Ride Project Engineering.

You Will:

• Lead “clean sheet” concept design of innovative new Ride systems that meet creative intent and requirements.

• Serve as the Ride Studio representative on the project core team; provide knowledgeable, accurate, and timely information to the team.

• Work directly with Creative directors to develop requirements from high-level experience/story descriptions and artwork; responsible for meeting Creative intent and expectations.

• Work directly with operating and maintenance partners to develop requirements; responsible for meeting their intent and expectations.

• Work directly with other technical teams to develop integration requirements and define interfaces.

• Proactively identify and acquire resources required to complete scope, proactively identify and creatively mitigate risks.

• Define scope and requirements for Ride team assignments, provide direction, and lead team performance to meet project needs.

• Negotiate Stakeholder needs when in conflict with other requirements, and facilitate balanced decision-making.

• Implement the Ride Engineering Standard of Practice; recommend changes in existing procedures to improve value/efficiency.

• Manage the Ride team’s business interests; author design & implementation strategies, cost estimates, resource plans, cost controls, and schedule milestones.

• Ensure engineering results are comprehensive and high quality; author system documents such as ride strategy, risk list, and scopes of work; author as-needed system documents such as requirements specifications, hazard analysis, installation plans, test safety plans, test plans, and test reports.

• Ensure ride systems meet Disney standards, amusement industry standards, and local regulations for safety, quality, durability, and reliability.

• Lead technical design reviews, own the hazard analysis and system safety design process.

• Compile bid packages and provide recommendations to contract documents, collaborate with the project procurement team to bid and award vendor contracts.

• Serve as Responsible Individual (RI) for vendor and consultant contracts.

• Identify and protect Disney and vendor intellectual property, and consult with Disney Legal as needed.

• Manage vendor design, fabrication, and commissioning activities.

• Lead site installation and testing work, facilitate turnover of the ride system to operations and maintenance.

• Perform installation validation, confirm condition surveys, and conduct field testing for attraction systems, which may require use of active fall protection equipment, navigating construction sites with catwalks, ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and confined spaces.

• Collaborate on sophisticated "Blue Sky" initiatives and represent Ride Studio interests.

• Lead large-scale scope and associated resources in multiple engineering disciplines.

• Create project delivery strategies, technical specifications, scope documents, budgets, schedules, and staffing plans.

You Will Have:

• Seven or more years of professional engineering experience, including responsibility for engineering design, analysis, production, installation, and test; developing engineering scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and resource plans; leading field installation and testing.

• Experience as the leader of a technical team through the design and delivery process.

• Demonstrated experience and skills in project management and vendor management.

• Ability to delegate work and direct the work of engineers.

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of individuals within a project team, the Ride Studio, and the company.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a large and diverse team environment.

• Ability to form a team and work with a variety of disciplines, seniority levels, and personality types.

• Hands-on experience with equipment mockups, prototypes, fabrication, assembly, installation, and testing.

• Experience with life safety design/requirements of engineered systems.

• Experience negotiating with stakeholders and team members.

• Experience with vendor management and contract management.

• Experience with technical issue resolution.

• Experience leading the hazard analysis and system safety design process.

• Engineering skills and experience related to complex machinery.

• Working knowledge in each of the following engineering disciplines:

  • Systems Engineering

  • Mechanical Engineering

  • Electronic Control Systems

  • Control Systems Software

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

• Ability to work variable hours and shifts as needed.

• Ability to temporary project-based relocation, including international.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous amusement industry experience, with an emphasis on safety-related ride systems.

• Knowledge of relevant Ride Engineering and industry standards.

• Familiar with new/emerging technology and applications within the amusement industry.

• Working knowledge of manufacturing and quality control processes.

• Hardware knowledge and hands-on field installation and test experience.

• Professional Engineering license.

Required Education

• Bachelor of Science Degree in an applicable engineering field from an accredited university.

This position is located in Glendale, CA.

Additional Information

The hiring range for this position in California is $135,000.00 to $181,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. 

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities, and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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