Vice President, Ride/Show Engineering & Safety, Technical Services

Universal Orlando•Orlando, FL

About The Position

The Vice-President, Engineering and Safety is a key technical focal point for Universal Parks & Resorts Theme Park activities. Responsible for oversight of attraction safety, including ride and show systems design, testing, manufacturing, operations, guest communication and quality assurance. Is responsible for planning and selection of technical resources, producing and maintaining / upgrading technical specifications, enforcement of Universal technical requirements, review of technical team performance, acting as technical interface to outside design and production entities, providing technical input and direction to project and risk management/risk reduction activities, technical oversight of intellectual properties protection, and support of legal and risk management activities as assigned. This role involves complex, major decision making and is responsible for oversight of the global attraction safety program, including ride systems, design, manufacturing and maintenance operations, industry communication and quality assurance. Additional responsibilities include planning for acquisition and use of technical resources, enforcement of Universal technical requirements, review of technical team performance, acting as technical interface to outside design and production entities, and providing technical input and direction to project risk management/risk reduction activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering required.
15+ years’ experience required in engineering practice.
10+ years’ required related experience in engineering practice.
7+ years’ in theme park related work.
Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred.
Professional Engineering License preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure all Show and Ride equipment maintains the highest level of safety in accordance with Universal Specifications, accepted manufacturing practices and local standards.
Identify and pre-qualify vendors capable of design, production, and/or 3rd party review in support of Show and Ride projects.
When Project assigned: Enforce Show and Ride technical and safety principles to provide a quality product and necessary deliverables.
Manage scope and deliverables to achieve and document compliance under AHJ requirements.
Support and advise Project Management on how best to achieve this goal, and keep UPR Core Safety & Engineering briefed on progress and issues.
Is responsible to take UPR S&E direction to the project team.
Performs engineering technical (calculation, design, drafting, research) support to the Ride/Show project team or Core Engineering and Safety as assigned.
Edits and updates S/R engineering specifications as specifically assigned by S/R engineering management.
Review, edit, or develop test protocols, procedures, and plans.
Execute, witness or approve testing and test results as assigned and authorized by Engineering and Safety management.
Reduce data and report on test results.
Supervise and guide project technical personnel (indirect or direct reporting relationships).
Drive safety improvements across all attractions.
Exchange safety information across all parks and attractions.
Monitor compliance with regulations and internal standards; develop new safety technologies; and ensure that safety protocols reflect theme park best practices and cutting-edge ideas.
Track attraction safety.
Make direct engineering contributions to projects as required relative to engineering, code and standards compliance, Universal Specification compliance, and technical systems achievement of creative and business goals.
Reviews the technical plans and results for UC projects as assigned.
Enforce Universal's specifications, standards, and technical contracting methods.
Guide project teams with meeting compliance requirements levied by any AHJ.
Assists with Universal Patent pursuit and defense related to project activities.
Where assigned, interface with Corporate Legal and Risk Management for S/R systems related issues, including providing technical representation for claims avoidance and defense, and technical advice relative to public policy issues and government / regulatory body relations.
Interface with the planning and development groups attached to USJ, USH, UO, and USS operations.
May manage UC core technical personnel in existing park expansion and new venue development.
Contribute to planning, budgeting, and staffing exercises in support of new UC work, including identifying and screening all technical candidates at managerial or higher levels, and lower level candidates as required.
Advise, review, and approve Project Risk Management for S/R systems related issues.
Drive technical improvements across all attractions.
Supervise and guide UC core Technical and Safety personnel and project technical personnel attached to Universal Park operations.
Act as principal focal point to enhance communication of common engineering issues and solutions between all parks.
Enhance consolidated use of UP&R technical resources; identify and proliferate best practices.
Communicate common engineering issues and solutions between all Universal parks.
Enhance consolidated use of UPR technical resources.
Sponsor Technical and Operations Safety Summits to examine and foster adoption of best practices at all parks.
Direct Universal Patent pursuit and defense.
Determine business need for patents, and advise management as to patent pursuits and costs.
Act as Universal's technical representative to salient Codes and Standards organizations and in legislative matters for Show and Ride related items.
Maintain, modify as required, and enforce Universal's Show and Ride specifications, standards, and technical contracting methods.
Act as Universal’s technical representative for claims avoidance and defense.
Act as principal interface to Park and Corporate Legal and Risk Management for Show and Ride systems issues.
Review and approve contract and legal documents related to Show and Ride systems as required for project work and as authorized by Engineering and Safety management, including, but not limited to Master Purchase and Master Services Agreements, Work Authorizations, Bid Evaluation Review Process records, Vendor Qualification Packages, Change Orders, RFP packages, and bid addenda.
Where assigned, acts as Universal's principal Engineering point of contact to outside suppliers of Engineered Show and Ride systems and Engineering consultation.
When Project assigned: manage technical interaction with other Project Technical personnel, Vendors, Sub-contractors, and other relevant 3rd parties involved with Show and Ride systems.
Develops an open working relationship with the Facility Team and Specialty & General Contractors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, test, and adjust activities.
Reviews portions of Vendor-provided design review documents.
Includes drawing review, component selection review, calculation review, test plan review, test results review, or review of other deliverable items as specified by engineering management.
When Project assigned, assists in managing or manages vendors through the process of bidding, designing, manufacturing, testing, shipping, installation, start up, and commissioning of S/R systems.
Provides technical guidance and vendor management through day-to-day design, fabrication, installation, test & adjust and commissioning activities.
Responsible to translate creative intent and business goals into technical documents that will serve to acquire bids and lock in price and schedule for delivery of systems that will deliver upon those goals.
Builds strong team cohesion and motivation within the Attraction Technical Team by managing change and conflict with dedication to a positive outcome.
Vendor management includes participation in all aspects of both technical and project / contract management as it applies to Scope generation, vendor contract establishment and management, directives, and change order processing.
Is responsible for balancing technical, creative, budget control, and schedule demands to achieve an optimum work product for the customer park.
Oversee ADA compliance for Shows and Rides.
Participate in Access Board meetings and activities.
Participate in IAAPA and ASTM initiatives related to accessibility as assigned.
Develop and execute innovations/inventions that provide increased accessibility.
Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
Performs other duties as assigned.