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Ride Development Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ZF

Sr Technician- Quality

Northville, MI · On-site

Team is comprised of Prototype Build, Machine Shop and Ride Development Functions. Quality Lab supports metrology needs for Prototype and Engineering. What you can look forward to as Sr Technician ...

CarGurus LLC

$92K - $127K/yr

Come join us for the ride! Role overview CarGurus is hiring for a software engineer in our Consumer ... Conduct workshops and produce documentation on AI development, deployment, monitoring, and support ...

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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.

Associate Manager, Ride & Show Engineering - Ride Systems (Expat to Beijing)

Orlando, FL • On-site

Universal Orlando
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Universal Orlandoexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Manage or support vendors through the bidding, designing, manufacturing, testing, shipping, installation, start-up, and commissioning of Ride and Show systems.

  • Provide technical guidance and vendor management during design, fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning activities, including scope generation, contract management, and change order processing.

  • Review and develop technical documents, test protocols, and review vendor deliverables, including drawings, component selection, calculations, and test results.

Universal Orlando Resort rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 431 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 58 rated theme parks

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for a singular contract or scope of work. Responsible for supporting or managing 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.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Assists in managing or manages vendors through the process of bidding, designing, manufacturing, testing, shipping, installation, start up, and commissioning of Ride/Show systems.
  • Provides technical guidance and vendor management through day-to-day design, fabrication, installation, test & adjust and commissioning activities. Responsible for both technical and project/contract management as it applies to scope generation, vendor contract establishment and management, directives, and change order processing with the support of Ride/Show leaders.
  • Supports the translating of creative intent and business goals into technical documents that will serve to acquire bids and lock in price and schedule for delivery of systems.
  • Performs engineering technical (calculation, design, drafting, research) support to the Ride/Show project team and/or overall Engineering and Safety as assigned.
  • 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 & Safety management.
  • Reviews, edits, or develops test protocols, procedures, and plans. Executes witness or approve testing and test results as assigned and authorized by Engineering and Safety management.
  • Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. 
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
  • 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.
  • Some global travel may be required (less than 30%). 
  • Significant vendor management.
EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable technical field required. Advanced degrees preferred.

EXPERIENCE

3+ years’ experience in theme park specific technical/engineering role(s) required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2025 Universal Studios. © 2025 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. EOE

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