Principal Ride Control Software Engineer

About Us

The Walt Disney Company is a world-class entertainment and technological leader. Walt’s passion was to continuously envision new ways to move audiences around the world—a passion that remains our touchstone in an enterprise that stretches from theme parks, resorts and a cruise line to sports, news, movies and a variety of other businesses. Uniting each endeavor is a commitment to creating and delivering unforgettable experiences — and we’re constantly looking for new ways to enhance these exciting experiences. Bring your individual talents here and discover for yourself why a career with Disney is the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

“It takes people to make the dream a reality.” Walt was on to something when he said that, and it continues to ring true today. No matter the stage in your career, being a part of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts means being a part of a team where you help bring innovation to life through unsurpassed products, services and most importantly remarkable experiences. As a Cast Member you are the steward and connection to our legacy and the backbone of our thriving innovations. Join our team and watch your dreams come true.

Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of Disney’s Parks and Resorts business segment. Representing more than 150 disciplines, its talented corps of Imagineers are responsible for the creation of Disney resorts, theme parks and attractions, hotels, water parks, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, cruise ships and new media technology projects. 

Responsibilities / You Will

Define, analyze, and validate deterministic solutions for large scale, fail-safe motion control systems

• System Definition
• System Performance Analysis
• Control System Architecture
• Detailed Design Specifications
• Understand / Review Electrical Layout (e.g. single line drawing) & Mechanical Drawings (e.g. pneumatic diagram)
• Hazard Analysis
• Test Strategies and Test Plans

Specify, design, and implement operator intensive, safety-critical control software using real-time operating systems

• Theory of Operation
• Software Design Document
• Debug / Software Integration Test

Install, integrate, and test high capacity, man-rated control systems domestically and overseas

• I/O Checkout
• System Functions Testing
• Fault Testing
• Adjusting / Tuning
• Acceptance Testing using Earned Value tracking 

Basic Qualifications / You Will Have

• At least 10 years of Controls experience
• Ability to Travel (project durations usually 1-2 years - sometimes assignment starts mid-project)
• Software Development Tools (Integrated Development Environment (IDE), compilers, linkers, debuggers, etc) experience
• Proficiency at C++
• Proficiency at Ladder Logic and Structured Text
• Strong Analytical Skills
• Strong Initiative / Self-Motivated
• Strong Verbal Communications
• Strong Technical Writing Ability
• Strong Team Skills – both able to lead and to follow
• Real-Time Control Experience (competent at ensuring deterministic system)
• Fail-Safe Control Experience (competent at creating safety timing analysis)
• Multitasking Software Experience
• Equipment Control Experience (motors, drives, sensors, effectors, servo, …)
• Troubleshooting Skills Experience
• Proven ability to Multitask
• Ability to Innovate Demonstrated
• Able to Handle Demanding, Stressful Assignments 
• Development and design are primarily in Glendale, CA, but installation, testing, and other support may require travel and/or relocation, up to approximately 20% of the time. Relocation for 1 year at a time is possible, to both domestic and international facilities.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ride Control and/or Theme Park Experience
• Detailed Knowledge of similar Industry Standards
• Rapid Development and/or Agile Development Techniques
• DevOps and Software Automation Experience
• Configuration Management / Version Control Tool Usage
• Proficiency at Unified Modeling Language (UML)
• Experience with System Modeling Language (SysML)
• Experience with Software Case Tools
• Proficiency at Visio, Excel, …, VBA
• Proficiency at Matlab
• Experience with Safety Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and HMIs
• Allen Bradley ControlLogix or GuardLogix (RSLogix)
• Control Theory 

Required Education 

• Bachelors Degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Engineering from an accredited college or university

Preferred Education 

• Some Computer Science Coursework highly preferred
• Control Systems Engineering and/or Control Theory a plus

Additional Information

• Disability accommodation for employment applications
• The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
• The Walt Disney Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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.

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The hiring range for this position in California is $184,300.00-$247,100.00 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.