Principal Ride Development Engineer
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10124719 Location Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Dec. 04, 2025Job Summary:
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.
At Ride Engineering, it is our responsibility to move people through our stories in magical ways that bring these experiences to life! Ride Engineers bring optimism and solutions to design challenges that often seem impossible, and partner with diverse creative talent to define and build one-of-a-kind experiences that bring fun and joy to millions of people all around the world. We Create To Inspire!
You will report to the Executive, Ride Development Engineering.
This is a Full-Time role.
What You Will Do:
Ride Development Engineers work within a Project Engineering team and are responsible for every aspect of mechanical ride system design & development from concept through installation. They work on a wide variety of innovative ride platforms that include unique requirements for extreme duty cycles, high reliability, and inherent life safety. They must collaborate on diverse teams that include both technical and creative members and be comfortable in environments where scope and requirements change frequently.
As a Ride Development Engineer, Principal, you will:
Oversee all phases of mechanical ride system design and delivery, ensuring safety and reliability.
Create and develop ride concepts and detailed subsystems to meet creative visions.
Translate high-level concepts into technical requirements and specifications.
Lead engineering teams through design, prototyping, fabrication, installation, and testing.
Manage vendors, contracts, and digital documentation.
Conduct site and equipment surveys; travel domestically and internationally as needed.
Mentor team members and foster studio culture.
Required Qualifications & Skills:
12+ years of relevant hands-on mechanical engineering experience
Advanced engineering knowledge (e.g. statics, dynamics, kinematics, stress/strain/fatigue)
Advanced engineering expertise (e.g. machine design, weldments, power train, materials)
Proficiency with design tools (e.g. SolidWorks, Navisworks, AutoCAD, SketchUp, ANSYS, FEA, Matlab)
Ability to distill & negotiate technical requirements from high level experience/story descriptions and artwork
Comfortable supervising the daily activities of an engineering team through all phases of a project
Experience as Lead Development Engineer for a ride system or highly specialized/complex sub-system
Proven ability to assess risk/problems and propose unique mitigations
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
Managed project(s) with budgets over $10 million
Disney or comparable themed entertainment industry experience
Expertise in life safety design and innovative product development
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in the state of Florida
Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or closely related field such as BSAE (Aerospace Engineering) or BSCE (Civil Engineer) from an accredited college or university.
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 at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
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.