Senior Manager, Controls Engineering

Universal Orlando•Orlando, FL

11d

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Controls Engineering manages Controls Engineering efforts for safety compliance, improved ride reliability, and enhanced show quality across Universal Orlando Resort’s high-technology ride and show attractions. The role leads the Controls Engineering Department, supports departmental goals and priorities, and assists the Vice President with cost controls for Engineering’s assigned budget. It works with attractions teams to identify, define, and prioritize capital issues to optimize the cost of ownership of ride and show assets. The manager ensures that controls reengineering and engineering design work meet high standards for safety, reliability, and quality, and comply with applicable codes, regulations, and standards. The position oversees safety control system configuration management and the archiving and security of hardware, software, and ride control system documentation. It prepares engineering reports, evaluates design concepts and constructs for reliability, and develops risk analyses to improve ride reliability and maintainability. The role manages staff and engineering partners, coordinates internal departments and external resources, and promotes effective communication, continuous improvement, and strong working relationships. It also manages spending within assigned budget guidelines, minimizes overtime, and helps develop detailed budgets for projects that reduce attraction ownership costs. The position carries out Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities in accordance with established Universal Orlando policies, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities, and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in an Engineering environment focused primarily on control and automation systems, preferably in a theme park environment, interacting with other Engineering and Maintenance disciplines.
At least 8 years of project management experience, especially in technical compliance, scheduling, and budgeting, along with technical support for control systems and motor and motion control systems.
At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in electrical engineering, control system design and installation using PLCs, ladder logic, variable frequency drives, and servo control systems; process and/or machine safety; field experience in a theme park technical environment; and process control fault analysis and isolation.
Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC-based control systems, AC and DC motors and motor control systems, motion control systems, and show and animation control systems.
Proficiency with personal computers, word processing, and spreadsheets.
Proficiency with complex diagnostic test equipment, control system drawings, and technical documents.
Knowledge of applicable ASTM regulations for theme parks and the NEC.
Required capability in PLC controls programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Required capability in AC/DC drive (motor control) configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Strong analytical skills for engineering calculations related to the design, analysis, testing, and implementation of electrical and control systems.
High level of knowledge and experience in safety-critical system design and applicable standards, including ISO 13849-1, ISO 13849-2, ISO 12100, IEC 60204-1, IEC 62061, PL safety levels, UL 508A, NEC, ASTM, ASTM F24, and Universal Orlando safety standards.
Strong background in servo controls for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromotive motion control systems.
High level of knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLC systems, C, Visual Basic, and other software platforms.
Experience with PLC-5, SLC-500, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PanelBuilder 1400E, PanelBuilder32, RSView 32, RSLinx, RSLogix 5 through 5000, RSNetworx, Allen-Bradley PLCs, and AC/DC motor control systems.
Ability to perform engineering calculations commensurate with baccalaureate training in electrical, electronic, and software engineering.
Experience generating control system specifications, acceptance test procedures, technical compliance documentation, system risk assessments, and failure analyses.
Proven application experience with Anitech, Gilderfluke show system controllers, 1305, 1336, and 750 series Allen-Bradley variable frequency drives, Data Highway Plus, Remote I/O, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Ethernet, DMX, and SMPTE.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field.
Experience in a theme park engineering environment.
Cisco networking and wireless network certifications.

Responsibilities

Manage and lead the Controls Engineering Department and support its goals and priorities for safety and reliability.
Promote customer service and continuous process improvement throughout the team.
Reduce ride and attraction cost of ownership through effective engineering, improved preventive maintenance, cost savings, and proactive measures to prevent equipment failures and collateral damage.
Ensure controls reengineering work meets safety, reliability, and quality standards and complies with applicable codes, regulations, and standards, including AISC, ASME, ASTM, ANSI, AWS, JIC, NEC, and OSHA.
Minimize downtime through appropriate partnership with Technical Services, with a focus on preventive maintenance.
Serve as the Safety Control System expert and maintain configuration management of hardware and software documentation in accordance with Engineering archiving and security guidelines.
Prepare ride control system documentation and ensure configuration files are stored in Asset Centre.
Prepare comprehensive Engineering reports that document technical analysis, design solutions, and learned best practices.
Conduct technical reliability evaluations of Engineering design concepts and design constructs.
Develop risk analysis studies of new designs to improve ride reliability and maintainability.
Manage staff selection, hiring, induction, training, performance appraisal, and individual development plans.
Lead, motivate, and inspire the Engineering team through design reviews and staff meetings, fostering communication, recognizing achievement, and developing individual performance.
Manage Rockwell Assurance partners and obsolescence initiatives.
Coordinate internal and external partners, including attraction maintenance, Document Control, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Landscape and Water Quality, Operations, outside vendors, Quality Assurance, Security, and Sustaining Engineering.
Maintain and encourage close, friendly working relationships and model this behavior for subordinates.
Manage spending within assigned budget guidelines and minimize overtime worked.
Assist in identifying and developing detailed budget plans for tasks and projects that reduce attraction cost of ownership.
Follow established Universal Orlando Environmental, Health & Safety policies, procedures, training, and team member involvement activities.
Perform other duties as assigned.