Manager Figure Finishing

NBCUniversal • Universal City, CA

5d • $80,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The Manager, Animated Figure Team, is responsible for the overall sustainment, show quality, reliability, and aesthetic presentation of animatronic figures, animated props, and relevant ride vehicle components, or structures, at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH). This role provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for both the Figure Animations and Figure Finishing teams, ensuring seamless collaboration across technical, creative, and operational departments. The Manager, Animated Figure Team, oversees day-to-day maintenance, refurbishment, finishing processes, capital and sustainment programs, budgeting, staffing, documentation, and compliance with department policies, safety standards, and labor agreements. This position plays a key role in long-term planning, program development, and technical execution to meet and exceed show quality and reliability standards for USH.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Management, Technical Arts, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• Experience with animatronic figures, animated props, show action equipment, and/or figure finishing disciplines.
• Working knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Expertise in one or more finishing disciplines: silicone skin fabrication, paints/finishes, fiberglass layup, costume fabrication.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret CAD drawings, 3-D models, maintenance manuals, operating procedures, and finishing specifications.
• Minimum 7 years of operations management, maintenance planning and team leadership experience.
• A strong passion for delivering the highest quality of guest service.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively in a professional environment. Ability to demonstrate creative problem-solving techniques to resolve issues.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime, weekends, and holidays with short notice.
• Experience working with maintenance/asset management ERP systems. (Maximo, SAP, etc.)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Project.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience with both mechanical/controls-based animatronic systems and aesthetic finishing processes, demonstrating a balanced technical and artistic mindset.
• Proven ability to build long-term strategic programs that improve reliability, show quality, and lifecycle management of complex, multidisciplinary assets.
• Strong competency in developing technical standards, maintenance guidelines, finishing specifications, and cross-department workflows.
• Demonstrated leadership in high-pressure, fast-paced operational environments with the ability to prioritize and pivot effectively.
• Ability to bridge communication between creative, engineering, operations, and production teams, ensuring alignment of artistic intent and technical feasibility.
• Advanced understanding of fabrication processes including machining, welding, materials science, silicone and polyurethane casting, coatings, and costume construction.
• Familiarity with industrial control systems, safety systems, and industry best practices for animatronic reliability.
• Experience guiding teams through complex diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures, balancing immediate operational needs with long-term system health.
• Strong advocacy for innovation, identifying new materials, technologies, and tooling that enhance show quality and reduce sustainment load.
• Ability to foster a collaborative, respectful, and growth-oriented culture across diverse technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage skilled labor who perform tasks and duties that support the daily operation, long-term reliability, sustainment, and adherence to show quality standards of all animatronic figures and animated props.
• Oversee work performed by Figure Animations and Figure Finishing team members, planned and unplanned, which may include short- or long-term maintenance, emergent repairs, refurbishment, fabrication, and finishing.
• Review maintenance manuals, CAD drawings, finishing specifications, and work documentation.
• Manage fabrication of mechanical parts, silicon skins, costumes, fiberglass components, and other figure elements and materials.
• Adopt, develop, and implement best practices for mechanical, electrical, show control, and figure finishing disciplines.
• Participates in strategic planning and program development; develops funding proposals and initiatives for programs to ensure the continuous delivery of services, sustainment, and appropriate enhancements.
• Ensures proper documenting of program activities; ensures reporting is completed as required; ensures that program activities operate within the policies and procedures of USH.
• Serve as primary interface between Figure Animations, Figure Finishing, Rides, Engineering, Controls, Shared Services, Entertainment, Creative, Park Operations, and our Safety team.
• Communicates all aspects of safety, budget, schedule, and issue resolution to appropriate levels of management.
• Support the park needs as required which may include working extended hours, nights, holidays, and weekends.
• Recruit, interview, and hire new technicians as needed. Manage and maintain a team of well-qualified technicians, ensuring access to applicable training, mentorship, and guidance.
• Provide clear and consistent work direction, counseling, and coaching to hourly union staff.
• Coaches and motivates hourly union staff to promote safe and efficient operations while also exceeding client expectations of communication, responsiveness, quality of service, and technical efficiency.
• Provide performance feedback to technicians and address performance concerns in a timely manner.
• Participation in reward and recognition, employee events, and TSAT action planning.
• Ensure that all safety procedures are understood and followed by all employees.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Senior Manager or Sr. Leadership.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.
• Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees