Manager, Ride and Show Engineering – Animated Figures – UK Project

At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Parks & Resorts worldwide. Our innovative attractions, immersive theme parks and world-class resorts fuse art and technology to create new standards in the themed entertainment industry.

Our Team Members are the driving force behind Universal Creative. With their diverse skills and forward-thinking ideas, our team pushes us beyond the boundaries of what’s possible to achieve the extraordinary. Together, we’re creating a Universe of fun, always ensuring the next thing we do is better than the last thing we did.

JOB SUMMARY:

This role is associated with the proposed Universal destination in Bedford, UK. Successful candidates will spend time at the Universal Creative Headquarters in Orlando, and at the site in Bedford.

Provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for an attraction or attractions under an area of responsibility. Responsible for the successful specification, bid/award, design, production, installation, and acceptance testing of Ride and/or Show systems, to include Animated Figures.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages in-field installation, test and adjustment of scenic systems to ensure compliance with contract specifications. Works with Facility & Construction team and vendors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, test, and adjust activities.
• Reviews designs and documentation from vendors, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and specifications. Oversees vendor's mock-up, prototype, and acceptance testing efforts to ensure final installed systems meet scope of work and contract specifications.
• Creates scope of work documentation and awards contracts to vendors based on quantitative requirements derived from interpreting creative intent and employing Universal Specifications.
• Leads design and production reviews at vendor locations, ensuring product quality, specification conformance, and schedule accuracy.
• Develops and oversees project schedules and budgetary demands. Produces scopes of work and manages vendor progress from design through installation, ensuring alignment with schedule and budget.
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UDX policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

A successful candidate would be able to perform the following to include, but not be limited to:

• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to organize and manage a complex series of tasks and vendor(s) to develop and implement show and ride systems.
• Strength in schedule analysis and contract management required.

SCOPE:

Comfortable Influencing decisions of major nature. High degree of tact & diplomacy to obtain favorable decisions or maintain good will. Comfortable working in a non-routine environment with frequently changing situations.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's Degree in applicable technical field required (examples include, but are not limited to, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, technical theater) or equivalent demonstrated skill and experience; Advanced Degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 

5+ years’ experience in direct theme park-specific technical/engineering roles supporting animated figure equipment required (examples include, but are not limited to, animated figure systems, prop systems, soft robotics, puppets) or similar experience in related technical field.  3+ Years: Projects experience within the scenic/entertainment/theme park industry required.  Any experience in Theme park development, construction, show and ride systems design or fabrication is preferred.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.