Principal R&D Imagineer - Mechanical Engineer

About the Role and Team

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life.

At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and new tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. R&D is a team of engineers, designers, artists and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems and building ground-breaking experiences. As an engineer on this team, you will work on new ways to bring characters to life, build impossible magical effects in the real world, build immersive environments, and create interactive experiences.

We are looking for a principal-level mechanical engineer who has not only a specialization and depth of knowledge in mechanical engineering but also a breadth of skills and experience they can use to jump-start and encourage small teams and quickly build demonstrators ranging from benchtop prototypes to semi-/full-scale mockups. 

This role will report to the Executive R&D Imagineer.

What You Will Do

• Ideate, develop, and build mechanical designs that meet functional and creative requirements.

• Prototype and iterate at a fast work pace

• Build physical demonstrators, prototypes, and mockups

• Lead a project team, managing budget, schedule, and resources, while simultaneously performing engineering design work

• Identify, evaluate, and manage multiple vendors as required to accomplish project work

• Perform risk assessment on studio projects, helping teams determine at what point a project should be considered finished based on the working requirements of the intended application

• Work autonomously or independently with minimal guidance

• Mentoring less experienced Imagineers in both engineering skills and professional growth

• Provide engineering guidance across projects, acting as a consultant and subject matter expert

• Diplomatically discuss differing designs, strategies, and ideas within a group

• Establish, build, and maintain relationships with collaborators within Walt Disney Imagineering, the greater Walt Disney Company, and with those external to the company.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 10+ years as a mechanical engineer with a broad knowledge of design principles and analysis with experience building physical machines and systems

• Highly proficient in Solidworks, with knowledge of FEA, FMEA, tolerancing, and manufacturing processes

• Skilled in using basic machine shop equipment such as, but not limited to: Bridgeport/vertical milling machines, lathes, CNC, metal fabrication, etc.

• Analytical troubleshooting skills on complex machines and systems

• Experience designing and analyzing weldments

• Experience designing systems with motors, understanding the concepts behind gear/belt/lever transmissions and reflected inertias

• Understanding the value of a minimum viable prototype

• Experience with DFM (design for manufacturing) and design principles for productization in the post-prototype phase

• Track record of solving complex engineering problems through a combination of traditional and novel design approaches

• Knowledge of additive manufacturing processes and their principal applications

• Familiar with current technology

• Proven experience leading a team, but able to get hands-on and work side-by-side with your teammates, being just as comfortable on a team of two as a team of twenty

• Thrives working in collaborative interdisciplinary groups comprised of engineering and creative talent

• Experience managing the requirements from a diverse collection of stakeholders

• Able to calmly react and solve problems under pressure during demos, playtests, and events, directing and delegating as required.

• Ability to provide engineering guidance and feedback to other project teams to assess feasibility, difficulty, effort, and risk

• Clear and concise communication among peers, teammates, and studio leaders

• Driven by the idea of creating new experiences for people while knowing that our technological developments are the ‘supporting cast’ behind the magic we deliver to our guests

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hydraulics and pneumatics

• Experience in the design of BLDC servo motors and other actuator types

• Experience in robotics and autonomous systems

• Experience in the entertainment, theme park, or movie industry

Education

• Bachelor’s (Master’s preferred) or equivalent in mechanical engineering

Additional Information

This role is located on-site in Glendale, CA.

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. 

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $184,300 to $247,100 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.