Staff Mechanical Engineer

As a Staff Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the design and execution of new and existing engineering projects at the Disneyland Resort, partnering closely with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions. Projects focus on mechanical systems, including materials selection, strength and fatigue analysis, pneumatic and hydraulic optimization, and compliance with internal and industry standards. Strong communication skills are essential to ensure Engineering Services and Operations requirements are clearly understood and effectively addressed.

The role also provides field engineering and sustaining support for ride and show systems, including troubleshooting, reliability improvements, system enhancements, and documentation. The Staff Mechanical Engineer is expected to identify developing technical issues, drive corrective actions to resolution, and respond to mechanical emergencies resulting from attraction downtime.

This role reports to the Manager of Mechanical Engineering.

Responsibilities/You Will

• Lead the planning, scheduling, coordination, and successful execution of complex, high-value multi-disciplined Ride & Show Engineering and Sustaining projects, ensuring alignment with engineering and broader business initiatives and priorities.

• Develop and manage project estimates, schedules, and technical deliverables, providing clear status updates to project managers, engineering leadership, and key stakeholders.

• Perform and review mechanical engineering analyses to support attraction design changes and compliance requirements, including structural, dynamic, kinematic, hydraulic, pneumatic, finite element, and fatigue analysis.

• Prepare company-compliant engineering test scopes, plans, and reports; lead and execute acceptance, performance, and field-testing activities.

• Provide engineering recommendations and technical leadership to resolve attraction operational and mechanical issues, including proactive identification of emerging risks and development of preventive solutions with resort-wide impact.

• Support field installation, inspection, manufacturing, and vendor coordination efforts, resolving technical conflicts to ensure conformance with approved design documentation.

• Respond to attraction downtimes and mechanical emergencies, partnering closely with Engineering Services, Maintenance, and Operations teams to restore availability and improve system reliability.

• Develop and lead attraction reliability improvement initiatives, including scope definition, design, installation, testing, documentation, and closeout.

• Lead technical design reviews, establish and evolve technical standards and frameworks, and set long-term technical direction to drive adoption and continuous improvement.

• Lead cross-functional initiatives and strategic planning efforts, leveraging synergies across teams, organizations, and domestic and international Disney partners.

• Build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders, influence key decision-makers, and represent the organization externally as needed.

• Mentor earlier-career engineers and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing engineering culture.

• Support projects as needed through travel and off-hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Basic Qualifications/You Will Have

• 8+ years Mechanical Engineering experience in a design and fabrication.

• Experience in component selection and specifications (e.g. bearings, motors, gearbox, etc.)

• Proficiency in SolidWorks and AutoCAD.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment, including mechanical and controls engineering teams.

• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills, with the ability to influence and partner across functions.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

• Proven experience managing and balancing multiple projects, assignments, and competing priorities.

• Effective use of collaboration and communication tools, including email, messaging, and web-based applications (e.g., Slack, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams).

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering License

• Proficiency in performing and reviewing hazard and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)

Knowledge gained by experience in the following:

• Machine Design, Fatigue Analysis

• Finite Element Analysis

• Hazard Analysis/Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science from an ABET accredited engineering program in Mechanical Engineering or related field is required.

Preferred Education

• Post Graduate Work in engineering or technical discipline

• Systems reliability knowledge

• Professional training in Solidworks, AutoCAD, Matlab, MathCAD and Finite Element programs such as ANSYS

Additional Information

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 California is $115,500.00 to $154,800.00 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.