Ride Engineering - Principal Engineer, Design Assurance
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10134485 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Oct. 14, 2025Job Summary:
About the Role & Team
Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.
Nearly every project at Walt Disney Imagineering includes a first-of-its-kind. Innovation is in our DNA, and Imagineers constantly push the boundaries of technology and invent new goals as well as the solutions to achieve them. As Imagineers, one of our greatest rewards is knowing that the experiences and environments we create inspire others. The diversity of expertise at Imagineering makes us uniquely capable of influencing positive change in our communities and around the world. And knowing that we have helped make a difference is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring for all of us.
Ride Engineering Design Assurance is an all-encompassing role that provides technical oversight and guidance in support of Ride project teams. As Ride engineering experts, they lead the way when it comes to process, standardization, and overall design compliance. Design Assurance Engineers work alongside our project teams to provide experience, knowledge, and expertise to help advance our projects. We are focusing in Areas of Control Systems, Hardware and Software. And Ride Design.
This role will work with the Executive Ride Software Engineering.
This is a full-time role.
What You Will Do:
- Serve as Mechanical, Software, Systems, or Hardware Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the Ride Engineering design review process to ensure that appropriate engineering/design standards, methods, analyses, and judgment are applied so the engineered products meet the design intent and the business imperatives of safety, reliability, and efficiency.
- Review designs related to Ride Engineering products and provide feedback to project teams and functional management regarding the acceptability of those designs.
- Interpret and develop standards and codes that will be utilized by the Ride Engineering organization.
- Advocate global consistency of solutions for similar problems, and compliance with Disney and external standards.
- Partner with Disney leadership and project teams to improve process and standards for the benefit of future engineering efforts.
- Contribute to mentoring and talent development
Required Qualifications & Skills
- 10+ Years of experience in the software engineering field
- Software Development Tools (Integrated Development Environment (IDE), compilers, linkers, debuggers, etc) experience
- Understanding of at C++
- Understanding of or experience with Ladder Logic and Structured Text
- Advanced engineering knowledge (e.g., statics, dynamics, kinematics, stress/strain/fatigue).
- Advanced engineering expertise (e.g., machine design, weldments, power train, materials).
- Proficiency with engineering tools (e.g., Solid Modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM), 2D Modeling, FEA, Engineering calculation software e.g. Mathcad, Engineering programming and modeling software e.g. MatLab).
- Superior design sensibilities and creative problem solving.
- Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a large and diverse team environment.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills
- Ride Control and/or Theme Park Experience
- Proficiency in Unified Modeling Language (UML)
- Control Theory
- Previous Disney or entertainment experience, with advanced knowledge of the industry.
- Extensive experience with life safety design/requirements.
- Experience with prototype, development, and/or innovative products.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Engineering from an accredited college or university
Additional Information:
This position is Located in Glendale, CA. This position will require the ability to travel domestically and internationally (project durations usually 1-2 years - sometimes assignment starts mid-project).
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 role is designed to create a talent pool to fill real needs for Design Assurance in Ride Control Systems, Ride Design and Ride Control Software Engineering.
This posting is seeking candidates to fill multiple roles in Glendale, California. 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. - The hiring range/pay rate for Principal Ride Controls Systems Engineer is $155,700.00 to $208,000 per year.
About Walt Disney Imagineering:
Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.
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