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Ride Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ZF

Ride Development Engineer

Northville, MI · Hybrid

What you can look forward to as a Ride Development Engineer: * Responsible for coordinating ride work activities with customer, submitting ride work requests through Engineering Resource Manager, and ...

ZF

Ride Development Engineer

Northville, MI · Hybrid

What you can look forward to as a Ride Development Engineer: * Responsible for coordinating ride work activities with customer, submitting ride work requests through Engineering Resource Manager, and ...

Infodyne Solutions

Calibration Engineer

Monroe, MI · On-site

Calibration Engineer Provide ride development engineering support of passive, passive plus, semi-active & advanced electronic ride control products for original equipment (OE) business groups. Scope ...

Blue Bird

Vehicle Development Engineer

Macon, GA · On-site

JOB SUMMARY The Vehicle Development Engineer in Engineering leads the physical integration ... Conduct vehicle ride, handling, braking, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) evaluations ...

Blue Bird

Vehicle Development Engineer

Macon, GA · On-site

JOB SUMMARY The Vehicle Development Engineer in Engineering leads the physical integration ... Conduct vehicle ride, handling, braking, and NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) evaluations ...

ITW

Product Development Engineer

Glenview, IL · On-site

We are just one block away from the Golf Metra station and quick train ride to downtown Chicago. Why This Role Matters The Product Development Engineer plays a key role in developing and advancing ...

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Ride Development Engineer information

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$49K

$96.2K

$153.5K

How much do ride development engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for ride development engineer in the United States is $96,155.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $106,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ride development engineer?

Ride Development Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and oversee the creation of amusement park rides and attractions. They work on both the mechanical and structural aspects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure rides are safe, reliable, and provide an exciting guest experience. Their responsibilities include conceptual design, prototyping, testing, and troubleshooting ride systems. These engineers must adhere to rigorous safety standards and often use advanced technologies such as computer-aided design (CAD) and simulation software. The role requires strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and a solid understanding of engineering principles.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a ride development engineer?

To thrive as a Ride Development Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical, electrical, or structural engineering, typically with a relevant bachelor's degree and experience in theme park or amusement ride design. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, safety standards (like ASTM or EN), and project management systems is often required. Attention to detail, creativity, and strong teamwork and communication skills help you excel in collaborative and safety-critical environments. These competencies are crucial to ensure innovative, safe, and reliable ride experiences that meet both engineering and guest satisfaction standards.

What challenges do ride development engineers face when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams?

Ride Development Engineers often work closely with professionals from various fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software development, and creative design. A common challenge is ensuring effective communication and alignment of technical requirements between these diverse teams, especially when balancing innovative concepts with safety regulations and operational constraints. Successfully managing different timelines and priorities while integrating complex systems is crucial to delivering a safe and engaging ride experience. Building strong relationships and maintaining clear documentation are key strategies for overcoming these challenges.

What are popular job titles related to Ride Development Engineer jobs?

For Ride Development Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Ride Development Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,155 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Ride Development Engineer

Northville, MI • Hybrid

ZF
10K+ employees
Learn more about ZFexternal

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago

ZF rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

422nd of 499 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

 Req ID 89997 | Northville, United States ZF North America, Inc.

Job Description

About the team: The team is looking for a new member to join them in Northville, in a hybrid role. This person could be hired as an Engineer II or Senior Engineer, based on skillset and experience. 

What you can look forward to as a Ride Development Engineer:

  • Responsible for coordinating ride work activities with customer, submitting ride work requests through Engineering Resource Manager, and coordinating all needed tools and components needed for tuning.
  • Develop strong working relationships with customers conveying both professionalism and strong product knowledge.
  • Determines required adjustments to hydraulic valve codes to achieve ride and handling targets established by the customer.
  • Directs the efforts of support technicians when conducting ride work at customer locations and supports less-experienced ride engineers as needed.
  • Assists the support technician in making the component changes required to achieve desired results.
  • Maintains accurate change logs and evaluation notes during every step of the tuning process using the correct terminology. Organize information systematically and separately for each program.
  • Completes pre- and post- tuning activities including issuing R01 (Engineering Report) after each ride tuning session, obtaining Customer sign off and effectively communicating customer expectations and tuning outcomes to project team.
  • Releases hydraulic settings for production including creating valve BOMs and preparing the necessary documents for final valve codes, forces, and tolerances.
  • Responsible for hydraulic function test results as part of the customer DV/PV testing including analyzing results, reviewing test specimens, and preparing test reports based on those results.

Your profile as a Ride Development Engineer:

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering or Mechatronics Engineering.
  • 4+ years of experience with strong functional/product knowledge, and ability to train others (internship/co-op included).
  • Possesses good working knowledge of vehicle dynamics fundamentals for application to damper development.
  • Ability to evaluate vehicle ride characteristics and associate them with product specific component changes.
  • Understands function of latest ZF adaptive valve technology and is adept at execution of all types of ZF adaptive valve settings.
  • Exhibits superior knowledge and execution of damper / ride development processes, both ZF internal processes and customer processes.
  • Demonstrates proven skills in damper characterization and testing including damper industrialization and serial production support.
  • Good organizational skills and self- motivated.

Why you should choose ZF :

  • A supportive collaborative team environment
  • Annual Incentive Plan
  • Paid Vacation
  • Personal Time
  • 401k Plan
  • Health Care Benefits
  • Paid Holidays
  • A strong diversity culture
  • Supportive Employee Groups and community outreach activities

Be part of our ZF team as Ride Development Engineer and apply now!

Contact

Hannah Cline

+7 34 855 2922

DIVERSITY COMMITMENT: 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are more than just words for us. They are at the core of the ZF Way that propels our team members towards their utmost success. We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a natural reflex. We actively seek ways to remove barriers so that every member of ZF can rise to their full potential. We aim to embed this in our legacy through how we operate and build our products as we shape next generation mobility, safety, sustainability and social justice. 

With four generations across 118 nationalities in 41 countries, ZF combines a unique variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas. Together, we solve problems, drive innovation and shape next generation mobility. 

Our company is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with us and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please contact us. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. ZF is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran

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