Manager, Ride & Show Engineering - Controls

At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Destinations & Experiences 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

What if your next industrial automation project wasn’t a factory, warehouse, or data center, but one of the biggest and most exciting attraction projects at a Universal park in the U.S.? We’re looking for a talented Controls Engineer / Controls Engineering professional who knows industrial automation but wants to apply that expertise in an environment that’s anything but ordinary.

This is a Siemens-based controls environment , so Siemens industrial controls experience would be highly valuable. Coming from a Rockwell/Allen-Bradley background? We’re open to that too, particularly if you have the technical foundation and curiosity to transition your expertise into Siemens. This role provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for an attraction or attractions under an area of responsibility.

Responsible for the successful specification, bid/award, design, production, installation, and acceptance testing of Ride and/or Show systems, to include Ride Control or Show Control Systems. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Manages in-field installation, test and adjustment of scenic systems to ensure compliance with contract specifications.

Works with Facility & Construction team and vendors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, test, and adjust activities. Reviews designs and documentation from vendors, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and specifications. Oversees vendor's mock-up, prototype, and acceptance testing efforts to ensure final installed systems meet scope of work and contract specifications.

Creates scope of work documentation and awards contracts to vendors based on quantitative requirements derived from interpreting creative intent and employing Universal Specifications. Leads design and production reviews at vendor locations, ensuring product quality, specification conformance, and schedule accuracy. Develops and oversees project schedules and budgetary demands.

Produces scopes of work and manages vendor progress from design through installation, ensuring alignment with schedule and budget. Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

3+ 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. A successful candidate would be able to perform the following to include, but not be limited to: 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. 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, electrical engineering, computer science, computer programming, software engineering, mechatronics) or equivalent demonstrated skill and experience; Advanced Degree preferred. EXPERIENCE: 5+ years’ experience in direct theme park-specific technical/engineering roles supporting show control equipment required (examples include, but are not limited to, ladder logic, variable frequency drives, motion control systems, control theory) or similar experience in related technical field.

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