Ride Control Systems Engineer, Senior (System Safety)

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 Control Systems Engineers (System Safety) work within WDI’s Ride Studio supporting multiple project teams, and are responsible for assessing and monitoring system safety for ride system design and implementation.  System safety engineering activities cover all aspects of ride system design and implementation, integrating mechanical, electrical, and software systems, from concept to commissioning, for a wide variety of innovative ride platforms that include unique requirements for novel rider experiences, high reliability, and safety.  RCS Engineers perform in a highly collaborative environment on diverse teams, and are comfortable in environments where scope and requirements change frequently. 

The role of Ride Control Systems Engineer (System Safety) focuses on safety requirements, analysis, and verification across multiple projects, supporting project teams in this critical engineering specialty.

You will report to the Ride Control Engineer Studio Executive

This is a full time role.

What You Will Do:

• Lead multiple project hazard analysis teams on a worldwide portfolio of individual attractions in the instruction and conduct of their risk and hazard assessments.
• Manage and conduct hazard assessments across multiple projects, including:
  • Functional hazard assessments (FHA),
  • Preliminary hazard assessments (PHA),
  • System hazard analyses (SHA),
  • Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA),
  • Fault tree analysis (FTA), and
  • Other fault/failure analyses, e.g. Common Cause Analysis (CCA), Common Mode Analysis (CMA)
• Assist in systems engineering design and analysis for ride systems, focusing on safety related electrical control systems.
• Collaborate with systems engineering to develop control equipment safety requirements and specifications.
• Manage vendor, contractor, and consultant safety and hazard assessment efforts and documentation review.
• Be a key participant in project design reviews, providing guidance and critical input on RAMS topics: reliability, availability, maintainability and safety.
• Review control system and network architectures for safety acceptability.
• Ensure all safety and related performance requirements are satisfied, within Disney and by the regional authorities having jurisdiction.
• Participate in factory acceptance tests and ride system installation verifications.
• Instruct and train design engineers on the hazard assessment processes, details of use and accuracy, and review and closure of risks.
• Develop process metrics to monitor our safety process and recommend process improvements.
• Be the focal point for developing future safety process improvements and compliance tracking.
• Research and recommend new tools and techniques for assessing safety and risk.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of 5-10 years of Safety, Reliability & Test Experience
• Highly proficient in risk management and hazard assessment methods
• Experienced in developing and maintaining safety processes for development of complex systems
• Experienced in the development and utilization of safety and test requirements tracking methods and compliance assessment.
• Experienced in fail-safe and safety-related control system design methods and techniques
• Ability to understand and interpret complex software algorithms as they relate to functional safety implementation
• Familiarity with amusement and automation industry standards, including ASTMF2291, ISO13849, IEC062061, IEC61508.
• Ability to plan and estimate system safety efforts on technical design projects of varying levels.
• Ability to handle multiple complex efforts simultaneously, coordinate team efforts, and manage tasks, schedules and priorities
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally for 1-week to 3-week durations

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Proficient with engineering design tools including AutoCAD, Matlab, requirements database tools, MS Office tools
• Knowledgeable of electronics, microcontrollers, networks, control power systems
• Proficient in systems fault identification, monitoring, diagnostics, and troubleshooting skills
• Familiarity with electrical design standards and codes, including UL508a and NEC
• Familiarity with common programming languages
• Understanding how quality, quality control, reliability and maintainability relate to safety
• Knowledge of amusement industry standards and related safety standards

Education

• Bachelor of Science Degree in an engineering field from an accredited university
• Master of Science Degree in an engineering field from an accredited university desired
• Some System Engineering coursework highly preferred
• Some Computer Engineering Coursework preferred
• Control Systems Engineering and/or Control Theory a plus

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 $123,300 to $200,300 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.