Ride Control Systems Engineer Principal (Design Assurance)

"We make the magic!" That's our motto at Walt Disney Imagineering, the arm of The Walt Disney Company that creates key content for Disney Experiences all around the world.
Ride Control Systems Engineers work within Imagineering's Ride Engineering Studio in a highly collaborative environment on diverse teams. Engineering activities cover all aspects of ride control system design and implementation, from concept to commissioning, for a wide variety of innovative ride platforms.
The role of Ride Control Systems Engineer Principal (Design Assurance) focuses on design, analysis, system safety, and verification across multiple projects, supporting project teams in critical engineering quality activities.
Responsibilities:
Conduct design assurance activities in standards and best practices development, partnering with ride engineering partners across Disney Experiences and the amusement ride industry.

• Stay abreast of, and participate in the development of, company and industry standards and methodologies.
• Participate in company committees and industry organizations involved in ride safety and design.
• Maintain and improve engineering processes to meet project delivery and design assurance objectives.

Conduct design assurance activities for ride project design review and testing, partnering with ride project team members.

• Review ride system design and test packages for compliance with industry and company standards.
• Assess whether designs are of appropriate quality and meet project requirements.
• Advise project teams on optimal ride control system designs, safety analysis methods and results, and testing approaches.
• Prepare and present Disney requirements and design practices for 3rd party training.

Mentor and train ride control engineers.

• Prepare and present Disney requirements and design practices for internal training.
• Advocate the processes, standards, and practices that produce quality designs.
• Mentor and assist design engineers with technical challenges, standards, and methodology.
• Mentor ride engineers in design excellence.

Basic Qualifications:

• At least 15 years of experience with ride control system design, engineering, installation, and commissioning
• Proficient in fail-safe and safety-related control system design
• Experience with requirements development, test plans/procedures, and test execution
• Extensive knowledge of ride control system architectures and equipment
• Solid understanding of communication protocols: TCP/IP, CAN, serial, ProfiNET, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT
• Proficient in automated control system design applying functional safety concepts and standards
• Demonstrated practice in functional safety standards, including IEC 61508, IEC 62061, ISO 13849
• Familiarity with amusement and automation industry standards, including ASTM F2291
• Solid skills in technical document writing and communication
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for 1-week to 3-month durations
• Ability to handle multiple complex efforts simultaneously, exert influence, and manage tasks and priorities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of amusement industry standards applicable in Japan, France, Hong Kong, and China
• Proficient in Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff automation systems architecture and components
• Expertise in motor and motion control methods and components
• Solid understanding of kinematics as it pertains to ride systems and machines
• Knowledge of pneumatic controls and devices
• Proficient with engineering applications, including AutoCAD, EPlan, Matlab, Simulink, Solidworks, Visure
• Knowledge of modeling methodologies using UML/SysML
• Experience with multitasking software platforms and design approaches
• Experience in broad application of control system theory (closed-loop control, MIMO systems, positioning and navigation)
• Certified Functional Safety Engineer

Required Education:
Bachelor of Science Degree in an engineering field from an accredited university
The hiring range for this position in California is $152,200 to $204,100 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.