Principal Ride Controls Systems Engineer

“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 teams to push the limits of entertainment and build the never-before-seen! Are you ready to join this team and make your impact?

Ride Control Systems Engineers work within Walt Disney Imagineering’s Florida based Ride Studio. They perform in a highly collaborative environment on diverse teams which include technical, creative, and park operations members. These engineers are responsible for all aspects of delivering ride-based attractions at the theme parks around the world. Our Ride Control Systems Engineers conceive, design, engineer, and deliver control systems for a variety of sophisticated and innovative ride systems.

The Principal Ride Control Systems Engineer will report to the Ride Engineering Executive.

You Will:

• Lead teams of ride control engineers, software engineers, and other specialists on technically complex electromechanical development projects.

• Lead the development and implementation of ride control systems that deliver the creative intent and meet operational requirements.

• Collaborate with project team members to deliver the creative intent.

• Collaborate with attraction operators and project team members to define and deliver maintainable and reliable systems.

• Lead all aspects of supplier design, engineering, testing, installation, and commissioning efforts at supplier locations and at project construction sites.

• Define technical requirements, design, and implement operator intensive, safety-critical control systems and software.

• Develop safety-critical control architecture, network architecture, and algorithms for ride attractions, ride vehicles, and motion systems.

• Design operator interfaces and electrical control panels.

• Perform Installation Validation, I/O Checkout, System Functions Testing, Fault Testing, Adjusting / Tuning, and Acceptance Testing of man-rated control systems, which may require the use of active fall protection, catwalks, ladders, scaffolding, lifts, and/or access to confined spaces.

• Write technical documents such as Theory of Operation, Design Specifications, Hazard Assessments, Software Design Document, Debug / Software Integration Test Plans

• Create hazard assessments, and failure modes & effects analysis.

• Write testing requirements, strategies, safety plans, and testing procedure documents.

• Research new products, technologies, and methodologies and conduct trade-off studies.

• Develop mock-ups and prototypes as needed to prove-out concepts.

• Secure third-party inspection and UL certification of ride control systems.

• Ensure code compliance with local jurisdiction inspectors and officials.

• Develop facility interface requirements in documents, drawings, and 3D models.

• Analyze system performance to ensure requirements are satisfied.

• Design, model, and analyze electrical, data communication, and dynamic systems.

• Review Electrical (e.g. single line drawing) & Mechanical (e.g. pneumatic diagram) drawings.

• Conduct reviews and quality checks to ensure requirements have been satisfied.

• Conduct ride system factory testing and field-testing efforts.

• Identify faults and solve to find root cause.

You Will Have:

• 15 years of proven experience designing, engineering, installing, and commissioning control systems for electromechanical systems.

• Experience with safety-related systems design, including defensive design techniques, defensive programming, and fail-safe control systems.

• Extensive knowledge of control processors, components, and communication networks used in multi-processing real-time industrial and/or embedded applications

• Experience in industrial control system installation, integration and commissioning

• Experience in broad application of control system theory (closed-loop control, MIMO systems, positioning and navigation)

• Experience with software development tools (Integrated Development Environment (IDE), compilers, linkers, debuggers, etc)

• Experience with real-time control systems (competent at ensuring deterministic system)

• Proficiency in developing and reading electrical schematics and single line diagrams.

• Proficiency in engineering tools, including AutoCAD, Matlab, Simulink, Solidworks.

• Proficiency in selecting appropriate equipment control devices based on requirements for performance, reliability, maintainability, and ease of use (motors, drives, sensors, effectors, servo, …)

• Proficiency in designing, implementing, and solving complex systems, closed loop motion control.

• Knowledge of pneumatic controls and devices

• Experience with Safety Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and HMIs

• Proficiency in electrical system solving skills (voltmeter, oscilloscope, etc.)

• Familiarity with electrical design standards and codes, including UL508a, NEC, and ASTM F2291

• Experience with contractor/vendor management and technical contract documents

• Experience in planning, scheduling and budgeting control systems development.

• Ability to travel and work both domestically and internationally.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ride control and theme park engineering experience

• Familiarity with Configuration Management / Version Control Tool Usage

• Proficiency in software/system algorithm design and modeling methodologies such as Unified Modeling Language (UML) and System Modeling Language (SysML)

• Understanding of communication technologies/protocols: TCP/IP, CAN, ProfiNET, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT

• Experience with Software Case Tools and coding in C++

• Experience with Allen Bradley ControlLogix or GuardLogix (RSLogix), Siemens SIMATIC Step 7 or Total Integrated Automation (TIA Portal), Rockwell, and Beckhoff.

• Proficiency with Rockwell, Beckhoff, and Siemens automation systems architecture and components

• Experience in wireless communications for control and monitoring electromechanical system.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in a controls systems related engineering field from an accredited college or university.

• Some coursework in the areas of Physics (Motion Equations / Dynamics), Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Control Theory.

• Licensed professional engineer (State of Florida or other locale with means for Florida licensure through endorsement).

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.

#DXMedia

#LI - DM1

This position is located in Lake Buena Vista, FL