Principal Controls Engineer-Design Assurance

About the Role and Team

We create happiness.” That’s our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, and it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you’ll help encourage that magic by enabling our company to push the limits and build the never-before-seen! Are you ready to join this team and make an impact?

The successful candidate will perform as a Principal Controls Engineer – Design Assurance within Disneyland Resort’s Global Engineering and Technology (GE&T) division.  This person will be responsible for providing oversight and guidance to the engineering teams, including leadership, which includes approximately 150 total team members.  The design assurance charter is to ensure that the safety of Guests and Cast is the number one focus of our engineering work by overseeing and driving a culture of technical excellence and global consistency. These objectives are accomplished by providing training, mentorship, supporting project reviews, fostering the development and integration of engineering standards and rigor, as well as supporting and applying best practices.  While direct administrative responsibilities are limited, effective collaboration with the engineering leadership team and global Design Assurance remains critical for achieving both technical excellence and favorable business outcomes.

This is a Full-Time role based in Anaheim, CA reporting to the Director of Design and Engineering.

What You Will Do

Work with the Controls Systems leadership team and individual team members as well as other Design Assurance Cast, both domestically and internationally to:

• Advocate for the application of great engineering practices in the areas of safety and risk reduction, requirements development, hazard & safety analysis, engineering assumptions, design & engineering analysis, installation & implementation, testing and verification, maintainability, reliability, etc.

• Participate throughout the entire engineering review process, from feasibility studies and concept reviews to final development and implementation strategy discussions, while partnering with the leadership teams to provide technical oversight.

• Utilize extensive expertise to mentor and coach team members and project teams, enabling them to deliver innovative and effective designs that surpass expectations in safety, quality, compliance, performance, sustainability, and cost.

• Assess routine & sustaining work content, direction and process through strategic review & analysis to reduce risk and facilitate successful outcomes.

• Arbitrate and resolve technical issues and differences of professional opinion.

• Aid in the development, interpretation, and application of Disney and relevant industry standards within team deliverables.

• Support the safety bulletin process, including completion of related tasks and other special projects as needed by the Director of Engineering.

• Assist with forensic investigations to inform engineering strategies, ensure global consistency, and enhance communication.

• Serve as a technical liaison, providing insights and guidance to senior management.

• Remain informed of advancements and trends within the industry, technological innovations, and notable incidents, and regularly communicate these updates to Cast and leadership teams.

Required Qualifications & Skills

This is what you will need to be successful in the role:

• Minimum of 15 to 20 years of experience in technical roles focused on the design, troubleshooting, and maintenance of industrial control systems.

• Extensive experience in Themed Entertainment, specifically in the design and sustainment of Ride Systems.

• Comprehensive knowledge of themed entertainment standards and their effective application in critical safety systems.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Skilled at identifying priority system-level risks and resolving team technical conflicts.

• Ability to read and understand integrated drawing packages including electrical schematics & assembly drawings, system level documents including theory of operations, software design documents and technical manuals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with theme park and industrial control systems equipment such as Rockwell, Siemens & Beckhoff including modern safety processors.

• Hands-on experience with PLC ladder logic but also a strong familiarity with high order programming languages such as Python, C#, C++, or similar.

• Good working knowledge of networking principles and basic Cybersecurity fundamentals.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering, computer science or other related field.

• Preferred: Professional Engineering License in Electrical or Computer Engineering.

• Preferred: Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Computer Science or other related field.

Additional Information

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.

This position will remain open from 11/5/25 to 11/18/25.

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The hiring range for this position in Anaheim, CA is $170,900.00 to $208,700.00 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.