1

Ride Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ride Electrician

Buena Park, CA · On-site

$32.22 - $40.43/hr

Overview The Ride Electrician performs inspections, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and ... programmable logic controllers, test equipment and meters. Responsible for completing required ...

Showing results 21-40

Ride Engineer information

See salary details

$59.5K

$90.5K

$153.5K

How much do ride engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for ride engineer in the United States is $90,511.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,500.00 and $105,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a ride engineer?

Ride engineers are professionals who design, develop, and maintain amusement park rides and attractions. They combine knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering to ensure rides are safe, reliable, and enjoyable for guests. Ride engineers work closely with architects, designers, and safety inspectors throughout the planning, construction, and operation phases. Their responsibilities often include troubleshooting technical issues, performing regular safety checks, and implementing upgrades or repairs as needed.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a ride engineer?

To thrive as a Ride Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and experience with ride design or theme park systems. Familiarity with CAD software, PLC programming, and safety compliance standards like ASTM F24 is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and clear communication help you excel in cross-functional environments. These skills are crucial for ensuring the safety, reliability, and innovation of amusement park rides.

What challenges do ride engineers face when maintaining and upgrading amusement park rides?

Ride Engineers often encounter challenges such as diagnosing complex mechanical and electrical issues, ensuring compliance with rigorous safety standards, and coordinating maintenance schedules to minimize ride downtime. They must quickly adapt to evolving technologies and work collaboratively with operations teams, electricians, and mechanics to resolve problems efficiently. Balancing preventative maintenance with urgent repairs, especially during peak park seasons, requires strong organizational and communication skills.

What is the difference between Ride Engineer vs Ride Technician?

AspectRide EngineerRide Technician
CredentialsEngineering degree or technical certification, specialized trainingTechnical diploma or certification, hands-on training
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and overseeing ride systems; office and manufacturing settingsMaintenance, repair, and troubleshooting on-site at amusement parks or facilities
Industry UsageUsed in design and development phases, ensuring safety and performance standards

Ride Engineers focus on designing, testing, and ensuring the safety of amusement rides, often working in offices or labs. Ride Technicians perform maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting on rides at parks or facilities. While both roles require technical knowledge, Ride Engineers typically hold engineering credentials and work in development, whereas Ride Technicians focus on operational safety and maintenance on-site.

What qualifications do you need to be a ride engineer?

Ride engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering, along with experience in machinery maintenance and safety protocols. Knowledge of ride systems, troubleshooting skills, and certifications such as OSHA safety training are also important. Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail are essential for ensuring ride safety and operation efficiency.
More about Ride Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Ride Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Ride Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Ride Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Ride Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Ride Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Ride Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,511 per year, or $43.5 per hour.

Ride Maintenance Manager

Kansas City, MO • On-site

Worlds of Fun LLC
Amusement Parks • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Worlds Of Fun rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Ride Maintenance Manager - Full TimeDepartment: MaintenanceReports To: Maintenance DirectorPosition Type: Full-TimeAbout the JobThe Ride Maintenance Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of all rides and attractions at Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun. This position provides leadership to the Ride Mechanical and Ride Electrical maintenance teams and ensures all rides and attractions are maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications, company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.The Ride Maintenance Manager plays a critical role in protecting the safety of guests and associates while maximizing ride availability, operational efficiency, and asset longevity.Why Work at Worlds of Fun?Free park admissionTeam member ride nights and special eventsUniforms providedGain unique Maintenance/Manager experienceEssential Duties and ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Team ManagementLead, develop, and supervise the Ride Mechanical and Ride Electrical maintenance teams.Establish performance expectations and hold team members accountable for safety, quality, productivity, and professionalism.Recruit, train, coach, and develop maintenance staff and future leaders.Ensure adequate staffing levels to support daily operations, planned maintenance, and capital projects.Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.Foster positive labor-management relationships and ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), work rules, and applicable labor policies. Partner with Human Resources to administer contract provisions, address employee relations matters, and support grievance resolution processes.Ride & Attraction MaintenanceOversee preventative, predictive, corrective, and seasonal maintenance programs for all rides and attractions.Ensure all rides and attractions are maintained and inspected in accordance with manufacturer requirements and company standards.Direct troubleshooting and repair efforts for mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and control systems.Review ride downtime trends and implement solutions to improve reliability and operational performance.Ensure ride maintenance records, inspections, and work orders are accurate, complete, and properly maintained.Safety & ComplianceMaintain full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, company policies, and industry standards.Support ride inspections conducted by regulatory agencies, third-party inspectors, and manufacturers.Partner with Safety, Operations, and Public Safety leadership to identify and mitigate risks.Investigate ride-related incidents, equipment failures, and safety concerns and implement corrective actions. Ensure all lockout/tagout, fall protection, confined space, electrical safety, and other safety programs are followed. Operations SupportPartner with Operations leadership to maximize attraction availability and guest satisfaction.Participate in daily operational planning and decision-making regarding ride readiness and maintenance priorities.Coordinate after-hours, emergency, and seasonal maintenance activities.Support park events, seasonal openings, ride commissioning, and attraction upgrades.Financial & Administrative ManagementDevelop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets.Monitor labor, materials, and equipment expenditures.Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs without compromising safety or quality.Manage contractor and vendor relationships related to ride maintenance services and projects.Assist with capital planning, ride rehabilitation projects, and equipment replacement strategies.Minimum QualificationsRequiredBachelor's degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Maintenance Management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.Minimum 5 years of progressive maintenance leadership experience.Minimum 3 years of supervisory or management experience leading skilled technical teams. Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and control systems. Demonstrated experience managing maintenance programs, inspections, and regulatory compliance. OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification required. Experience working in a unionized environment and administering collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Ability to respond to emergencies and work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call situations.PreferredExperience in amusement park, theme park, manufacturing, industrial maintenance, transportation, or similar high-reliability environments. Experience leading Maintenance teams in a seasonal or 24/7 operating environment. Experience with ride and attraction systems.Professional certifications related to maintenance, engineering, safety, or reliability (e.g., CMRP, CMRP, PMP, Six Sigma, Engineering licensure).Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).Knowledge of ASTM amusement ride standards and industry best practices.OSHA outreach trainer credentials or advanced safety certifications.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesStrong leadership and team-building skills.Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.Strong project and budget management capabilities.Ability to influence and collaborate across departments.Strong written and verbal communication skills.Commitment to guest safety and operational excellence.Physical RequirementsAbility to work in indoor and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions. Ability to climb ladders, stairs, catwalks, and ride structures. Ability to walk long distances throughout the park.Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation. Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces as required.Why Join Worlds of Fun?The Ride Maintenance Manager must possess a strong commitment to workplace safety, demonstrated leadership in unionized environments, and the ability to effectively manage maintenance operations within the framework of collective bargaining agreements while maintaining positive labor relations and operational excellence.


What Worlds Of Fun employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom