At Universal Creative, we design, develop and deliver the most compelling entertainment experiences imaginable to drive growth for Universal Parks & Resorts worldwide. Our innovative attractions, immersive theme parks and world-class resorts fuse art and technology to create new standards in the themed entertainment industry.

Our Team Members are the driving force behind Universal Creative. With their diverse skills and forward-thinking ideas, our team pushes us beyond the boundaries of what’s possible to achieve the extraordinary. Together, we’re creating a Universe of fun, always ensuring the next thing we do is better than the last thing we did.

JOB SUMMARY: Provides technical management and oversight, inclusive of budget and schedule, for an attraction or attractions. They understand both the Creative and Engineering processes required for a unified solution delivery. This team member is responsible for integrating, ideating, developing, managing the development of, testing, and commissioning hardware and software systems as well as leading efforts to evaluate and standardize the ways in which teams, platforms, and components communicate to deliver an epic and reliable experience for our guests and team members. This creative technologist will identify disruptive innovation and be charged with the technical product delivery across attraction, projects and platforms. The Technical Program Manager, Research & Development is responsible for advancing prototypes into products and platforms that advance our creative experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts. They have a strong collaborative side and must be a change agent who is open to feedback and comfortable handling risk and fluidity. Role may have multiple direct reports who manage multiple aspects of an initiative or an entire program or platform. Will provide daily subject matter expertise and guidance to the research & development team.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads technology programs and the technology integration process from detailed design to final release. Contribute to planning, budgeting, and design and implementation of applications, systems, and components in support of new Universal Creative work. Participate in technical reviews for various teams for inputs and to provide guidance for areas of risk or scope gaps. Works with Internal partners and contractors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, system integration, test, and adjust activities. Oversees and validates engineering analyses, development of technical documents, and technical decision making.
• Responsible for project requirements, scope, schedule, budget and project roadmaps. Oversees creation of scope(s) of work documentation and awarding of contracts to vendors based on quantitative requirements derived from interpreting creative intent and employing Universal Specifications. Leads integration and delivery of an attraction or attractions under an area of responsibility. Work closely and effectively with the R&D team to ensure that all projects are progressing, and milestones are achieved pursuant to organization and/or client timelines.
• Advises, coordinates, and is accountable for the status and engineering quality of technology systems. Oversees vendors assigned to design, develop, install, and/or test integration scopes for technology systems, including mockups and proof-of-concepts. Develops and oversees project schedules and budgetary demands. Manage contracts released to vendors. Participate in the entire contracting process from initiation to close-out.
• Responsible for creation of overall budget and schedule for complex attractions, platforms and themed entertainment offerings. Oversees modifications to technology systems as required based upon design and field conditions. Drive technical improvements across all scopes.
• Strong technical knowledge to provide software guidance to project teams in support of the design, development and delivery of themed entertainment ride and show systems.
• Work closely with Creative development teams on creating the concept of the overall experience and ensuring delivery meets all creative requirements.
• 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: Ability to prefer the following is required:

• 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

Directly and indirectly supervises 1+ team member(s).

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in applicable technical field required or equivalent demonstrated skill and experience.

EXPERIENCE: 8+ years’ experience in direct theme park specific technical/engineering roles required or similar experience in related technical field.

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

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