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Animatronics Engineer Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

LF Studios

Technical Assembly Coordinator

Blue Ash, OH · On-site

$75K/yr

... animatronics, or complex mechanical/electronic production environments. * Strong understanding of fabrication, mechanical systems, electronics, programming, and IT. * Subject matter expertise in ...

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Animatronics Engineer information

What is the difference between Animatronics Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectAnimatronics EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Robotics Engineering; specialized training in animatronicsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; professional licensure often preferred
Work EnvironmentTheme parks, film studios, entertainment industryManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, product design
Industry UsageDesigning and building animated figures and robots for entertainmentDesigning mechanical systems for various industries

Animatronics Engineers focus on creating animated figures and robotic characters for entertainment settings, requiring specialized skills in robotics and electronics. Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope, designing mechanical systems across multiple industries. While both roles involve mechanical design, Animatronics Engineers specialize in entertainment robotics, making their skills more tailored to animatronic projects.

How much do animatronics engineers make?

Animatronics engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in robotics, mechanical design, and programming can lead to higher compensation, especially in entertainment or theme park environments.

What type of engineer works on animatronics?

An Animatronics Engineer is a specialized engineer who designs, develops, and maintains animatronic systems used in entertainment, theme parks, and film. They often have backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or robotics engineering and use tools like CAD software and programming skills to create realistic moving figures.

What are popular job titles related to Animatronics Engineer jobs in Ohio?

For Animatronics Engineer jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animatronics Engineer jobs in Ohio look for?

The top searched job categories for Animatronics Engineer jobs in Ohio are:

Animatronics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animatronics Engineer job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Animatronic - Senior Mechanical Engineer

LF Studios

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

LifeFormations specializes in the design and fabrication of animated figures (animatronics), sculpted elements, exhibits, and interactive experiences. Our work can be found in leading theme parks, museums, science centers, and branded spaces all over the world. We are seeking a full-time experienced Engineer with an uncompromising commitment to excellent work to join our growing team in Cincinnati, Ohio.
As a key part of the design team, you would be responsible for integrating mechanical design with the electrical and control systems of animated figures, mechanical effects, and show-action equipment. Building upon machine design best practices, customer specifications, and industry standards, you would create designs to meet or exceed customer expectations with safety and reliability at the forefront of what we produce.
In this role, you will:
  • Own and lead a small team, or design vendors, through the development of animated figures through the full lifecycle including design, analysis, procurement, quality control (QC), assembly, testing, and installation.
  • Audit internal mechanical and shell designs for best practices and to verify system will work as intended.
  • Use SolidWorks to design animated figures using DFM (design for manufacturing).
  • Coordinate and lead engineering effort with digital modeling, controls, and fabrication teams.
  • Analyze the animated figures through hand calculations, bearing calculations, RBDs (Rigid Body Dynamic Simulations), and FEA (Finite Element Analysis). Perform quality control on other internally and externally performed analysis.
  • Produce drawing packages following ASTM standards. Lead the team through the drawing creation process.
  • Lead design workshops and reviews.
  • Present company design and fabrication work to internal project teams and the customer.
  • Troubleshoot assembly and performance problems on the production floor.
  • Coordinate and lead effort to create and maintain all mechanical and armature documentation throughout the project.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related technical fields.
  • 5 years of mechanical design and analysis experience. 2 years of animatronic design experience within the themed entertainment industry.
  • Leadership experience through a design/build project. Experience in creating positive team morale while driving to a complete product.
  • Ability to take initiative and give direction to a team.
  • Hands-on troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Ability to provide solutions to complex problems outside your comfort zone in a timely and cost-effective manner.
  • Experienced and skilled in the development, use, and maintenance of FMEAs (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis), HA (Hazard Analysis), DFM (Design for Manufacturing), RBDs (Rigid Body Dynamic Simulations), and FEA (Finite Element Analysis).