Associate Manager, Ride & Show Engineering - Animated Figures/SFX/SAE (Expat to UK)
About this role
At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Parks & Resorts worldwide. Our innovative attractions, immersive theme parks and world-class resorts fuse art and technology to create new standards in the themed entertainment industry.
Our Team Members are the driving force behind Universal Creative. With their diverse skills and forward-thinking ideas, our team pushes us beyond the boundaries of what’s possible to achieve the extraordinary. Together, we’re creating a Universe of fun, always ensuring the next thing we do is better than the last thing we did.
JOB SUMMARY:
Provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for a singular contract or scope of work. Responsible for supporting or managing the successful specification, bid/award, design, production, installation, and acceptance testing of Ride and/or Show systems, to include Animated Figures.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists in managing or manages vendors through the process of bidding, designing, manufacturing, testing, shipping, installation, start up, and commissioning of animated figures systems.
- Provides technical guidance and vendor management through day-to-day design, fabrication, installation, test & adjust and commissioning activities. Responsible for both technical and project/contract management as it applies to scope generation, vendor contract establishment and management, directives, and change order processing with the support of Ride/Show leaders.
- Supports the translating of creative intent and business goals into technical documents that will serve to acquire bids and lock in price and schedule for delivery of systems.
- Performs engineering technical (calculation, design, drafting, research) support to the Ride/Show project team and/or overall Engineering and Safety as assigned.
- Reviews portions of vendor-provided design review documents. Includes drawing review, component selection review, calculation review, test plan review, test results review, or review of other deliverable items as specified by Engineering & Safety management.
- Reviews, edits, or develops test protocols, procedures, and plans. Executes witness or approve testing and test results as assigned and authorized by Engineering and Safety management.
- Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to organize and manage a complex series of tasks and vendor(s) to develop and implement show and ride systems.
- Strength in schedule analysis and contract management required.
SCOPE:
Comfortable influencing decisions of major nature. High degree of tact & diplomacy to obtain favorable decisions or maintain good will. Comfortable working in a non-routine environment with frequently changing situations.
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's Degree in applicable technical field required (examples include, but are not limited to, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, technical theater) or equivalent demonstrated skill and experience; Advanced Degree preferred.
EXPERIENCE:
3+ years experience in direct theme park-specific technical/engineering roles supporting animated figure equipment required (examples include but are not limited to animated figure systems, prop systems, soft robotics, puppets) or similar experience in related technical field. 1+ Years: Projects experience within the scenic/entertainment/theme park industry required. Any experience in Theme park development, construction, show and ride systems design or fabrication is preferred.
Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.
Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2026 Universal Studios. © 2026 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. EOE
Company at a glance
For years, we’ve been creating a legacy of unforgettable experiences for our Guests. Our Guests are immersed into the sights and sounds of some of the greatest movies and most legendary stories, and our Team Members are the ones who help make those incredible experiences come alive. Our Team Members realize that delivering world-class service is more than just an expectation… It’s The Universal Way. It’s who we are. It’s what we do. And it’s the reason we strive to be recognized as the number one entertainment destination in the world.
As a part of the COMCAST NBCUniversal family, we are as committed as ever to continuing to build spectacular experiences based on the most compelling and dynamic movies, books and TV franchises in the universe. We are poised for growth and success and are focused on the future. Our Team Members not only deliver experiences of a lifetime, they create them!
At Universal Orlando Resort™, we create a balanced and rewarding work environment while encouraging individual growth and development. As a Team Member, we’ll partner with you to help identify your personal goals and provide career guidance. Best of all, it’s our philosophy to always try and promote from within first. Now, what could be more promising than that!
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