Senior Show Mechanical Engineer
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10128149 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Oct. 09, 2025Job Summary:
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.
The Show Systems team helps to dream and create many of the magical moments that our guests enjoy. Our team is responsible for delivering extraordinary Audio-Animatronic figures, show action equipment and special effects through their full lifecycle. We partner with various teams to help deliver quality products and our processes and tools help to take us from concept design to production and installation.
Mechanical engineers within the department drive the design and development of animatronic figures and show action equipment, where durability, long life, reliability, and safety are a must. We are responsible for various engineering tasks: concepts, mockups, design, hazard analysis, FMEA & system safety, FEA, design reviews, documentation, and the overall functionality to fulfill the creative intent. You will support different phases of the engineering process which includes design from concept development through final design, production, test, installation, and commissioning for a variety of theme park attractions.
The Senior Show Mechanical Engineer will report to the Senior Manager, Show Mechanical Engineering.
This is a Full-Time role.
What You Will Do
- Distill & negotiate technical requirements from high level experience/story descriptions and artwork
- Lead project scopes to conceive, design, & deliver a wide variety of innovative show elements including animatronic figures and show action equipment ensuring durability, reliability, and safety while meeting creative intent and requirements
- Develop basic work plans (schedule, budget, resource definition)
- Supervise the daily activities of an engineering team through all phases of engineering design, mockups, production, installation, testing, turnover and close-out
- Perform and supervise the design and engineering of dynamic electro-mechanical systems
- Perform and coordinate Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of mechanical designs and Rigid Body Dynamic (RBD) modeling of animated figures
- Be responsible for Hazard, FMEA, and failure analysis documents & reports.
- Responsible for sub-system vendor/contractor management and oversight. As well as, collaborate with the project procurement team to bid and award vendor contracts
- Will lead all aspects of Solidworks models, drawing development and release
- Represent Show Mechanical Engineering to the project core team and vendors
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Minimum 7 years experience
- Strong electro-mechanical or robotics hardware knowledge and hands-on field installation and test experience
- Ability to lead vendor design, fabrication and commissioning activities
- Ability to write and review technical documents such as Requirements Specifications, Theory of Operations, Scopes of Work, Hazard Analyses and Acceptance Test Procedures
- Knowledge of Industry and Disney design standards
- Experience with manufacturing and quality control processes
- Knowledge of machine design, GD&T and design for manufacturing processes e.g. CNC machining, sheet metal, 3d printing, plastics and mold design.
- Superior "clean sheet of paper" design sensibilities with a strong understanding of engineering design tools e.g. SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Navisworks or BIM 360, ANSYS, MATLAB, Design X, Rhino
- Ideation skills to invent new Disney Intellectual Property & patents
- Have a valid passport and willing to travel domestically or internationally.
- Availability to work various shifts commensurate with global project requirements (typically 8am – 5 pm)
- Ability to see the big picture and communicate the project vision
- Ability to proactively solve problems, adjust scope, and update management
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Engineering Mechanics or equivalent years of experience.
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.
The hiring range for this position in California is $126,800.00-$170,000.00 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.
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.