Senior Manager, Marine & Technical (fixed-term)

About the Role & Team 

As Senior Manager, Marine & Technical, you will play a critical role in shaping the next generation of large, modern cruise ships from concept through delivery. Reporting to the Executive Marine & Technical, Walt Disney Imagineering, this role leads the technical design, specification and development of marine and engineering systems during the newbuild process, acting as the primary technical interface with our selected shipyards. 

You will collaborate closely with shipyard partners and internal stakeholders to ensure every vessel meets operational needs, regulatory requirements, safety standards and Disney’s ambitions for efficiency, sustainability and innovation. From early design through construction, sea trials, delivery and the guarantee period, you will provide expert technical oversight and leadership. 

This role will require you to be onsite 4 days a week and will require you to travel frequently. This is a 4-year fixed-term contract. 

You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration, and caring deeply for our Community. 

What You Will Do 

• Lead the technical specification and design development of ship structure, propulsion, engine room layout, auxiliary machinery, electrical generation and distribution, fuel systems, HVAC (technical components), automation and navigation systems. 

• Act as the owner’s technical representative with shipyards, reviewing and approving drawings, plans and technical proposals. 

• Ensure full compliance with international maritime regulations including IMO, SOLAS, MARPOL, flag state and classification society requirements. 

• Champion the evaluation and integration of emerging technologies supporting efficiency, sustainability and innovation. 

• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical reviews, risk assessments and value-engineering activities. 

• Support yard selection, contract negotiations and major project milestones. 

• Oversee testing, commissioning and sea trial preparation through delivery and the guarantee period. 

• Partner with internal teams to embed operational feedback and lessons learned into new designs. 

• Monitor technical progress, proactively managing risks and corrective actions. 

Required Qualifications & Skills 

• Extensive cruise industry experience including service as Chief Engineer on large modern passenger vessels. 

• Strong shoreside experience in technical management, fleet engineering or newbuild oversight. 

• Deep knowledge of international maritime regulations and classification society requirements. 

• Comprehensive understanding of modern cruise ship technical systems. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture or a related discipline/ equivalent experience.  

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and leadership skills. 

• Willingness to travel internationally to shipyards and project sites. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience supporting cruise ship newbuild or major refit projects. 

• Exposure to sustainability and decarbonisation technologies. 

• Professional engineering certification or advanced degree. 

• Additional European language skills. 

The Perks 

• 25 days annual leave 

• Private medical insurance & dental care 

• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free 

• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing 

• Excellent parental and guardian leave 

• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, our new disability & neurodiversity focused group - ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST. 

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. 

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.