Sr Manager, Ride/Show Engineering

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for an attraction or attractions. Responsible for the successful specification, bid/award, design, production, installation, and acceptance testing of Ride and/or Show systems, to include Audio, Special Effects, Projection, Lighting, Set/Scenic, Props, Show Action Equipment, Animated Figures, Ride Systems, Mechanical Systems, Network Systems, Parkwide Systems, Ride Control, and/or Show Control Systems. Role may have multiple direct reports whom manage multiple aspects of an attraction.

• Ensures all Show and Ride equipment maintains the highest level of safety in accordance with Universal Specifications, accepted manufacturing practices and applicable standards  

• Provides technical guidance and vendor management of the design, fabrication and day-to-day detailed installation, test, and adjust activities in the field. Vendor management includes participation in all aspects of both technical and project/contract management as it applies to vendor contracts, directives, and change orders 

• Oversees all technical interaction with other project team members, vendors, sub-contractors, and other relevant 3rd parties involved with Show and Ride systems. Develops an open working relationship with the facility & construction team and contractors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, test, and adjust activities. Builds strong team cohesion and motivation within the attraction technical team.  

• Creates scope of work documentation and awards contracts to vendors based on quantitative requirements derived from interpreting creative intent and employing Universal Specifications. Leads enforcement of Show and Ride technical and safety principles to provide a quality product and necessary deliverables. 

• Advises, coordinates, and is accountable for the status and engineering quality of Show & Ride systems including areas of risk or potential future risks  

• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. 

• Perform other duties as assigned.  

• Ability to travel and stay for extended periods in Chicago is required.

• 7+ Years: Required experience in theme park specific technical/engineering role(s). 5+ Years: Required Vendor Management experience with significant in-field installation related experience.  3+ Years:  Preferred experience with contract management and practices in the theme park and/or construction industries.  7+ Years: Required related experience. Theme Park specific experience is highly preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.   
• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable technical field required. Advanced degrees preferred. 
• Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite.

Desired Characteristics:

• Significant vendor management experience 
• In-field installation experience 
• Contract management experience in theme park and/or construction industries 
• Project experience in theme park development, construction, show and ride systems design or fabrication within the entertainment/theme park industry preferred.   
• 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 
• 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 

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. Salary range: $120,000 - $160,000 (bonus eligible)

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].