Senior Manager, Controls Engineering

Universal Orlando•Orlando, FL

21h

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 supports cost controls within Engineering’s assigned budget and works with attractions teams to identify, define, and prioritize capital issues to optimize the cost of ownership of ride and show assets. The position leads the Controls Engineering Department, ensures reengineering work meets safety, reliability, and quality standards, and maintains compliance with applicable codes and regulations. It serves as the Safety Control System expert, oversees configuration management and secure archiving of hardware and software documentation, and prepares technical reports, reliability evaluations, and risk analyses. The manager hires, develops, and evaluates staff; coordinates with internal departments and external resources; manages vendor partnerships and obsolescence initiatives; and oversees departmental spending and project budgets. The role also participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities 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.
10+ years of experience in an engineering environment focused primarily on control and automation systems, preferably in a theme park environment, including interaction with engineering and maintenance disciplines.
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 systems drawings, and technical documents.
Knowledge of applicable ASTM regulations for theme parks and the NEC.
8+ years of project management experience, particularly technical compliance, scheduling, and budgeting, and technical support for control systems, motor systems, and motion control systems.
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; theme park technical fieldwork; and process control fault analysis and isolation.
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 knowledge and experience in safety-critical system design and relevant standards, including ISO 13849-1, ISO 13849-2, ISO 12100, IEC 60204-1, IEC 62061, performance level safety, 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 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-level training in electrical, electronic, and software engineering.
Experience generating control system specifications, acceptance test procedures, technical compliance documentation, system risk assessments, and failure analyses.
Applied 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.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are accepted.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Manage and lead the Controls Engineering Department in support of safety, reliability, customer service, and continuous improvement goals.
Reduce ride and attraction cost of ownership through engineering improvements, effective preventive maintenance, cost savings, and proactive failure prevention.
Ensure Controls reengineering tasks meet safety, reliability, and quality standards and comply with applicable codes, regulations, and standards.
Partner with technical services to minimize downtime, with emphasis on preventive maintenance.
Serve as Safety Control System expert and maintain hardware and software configuration management, documentation, archiving, and security in accordance with Engineering guidelines.
Prepare ride control system documentation and ensure configuration files are maintained in Asset Centre.
Prepare engineering reports that document technical analysis, design solutions, and learned best practices.
Conduct technical reliability evaluations of engineering design concepts and constructs, and develop risk analyses for new designs to improve reliability and maintainability.
Manage staff selection, hiring, induction, training, performance appraisal, and individual development plans.
Lead, motivate, and develop the Engineering Team through design reviews, staff meetings, communication, and recognition of achievement.
Manage Rockwell Assurance partners and obsolescence initiatives.
Coordinate with internal departments and external resources, including maintenance, Document Control, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Operations, vendors, Quality Assurance, Security, and Sustaining Engineering.
Maintain and encourage collaborative working relationships across teams and with external partners.
Manage spending within assigned budget guidelines, minimize overtime, and assist in developing detailed budgets for 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.