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

The Vice-President, Engineering and Safety is a key technical focal point for Universal Parks & Resorts Theme Park activities. Responsible for oversight of attraction safety, including ride and show systems design, testing, manufacturing, operations, guest communication and quality assurance. Responsible for planning and selection of technical resources, producing and maintaining / upgrading technical specifications, enforcement of Universal technical requirements, review of technical team performance, acting as technical interface to outside design and production entities, providing technical input and direction to project and risk management/risk reduction activities, technical oversight of intellectual properties protection, and support of legal and risk management activities as assigned.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure all Show and Ride equipment maintains the highest level of safety in accordance with Universal Specifications, accepted manufacturing practices and local standards. Identify and pre-qualify vendors capable of design, production, and/or 3rd party review in support of Show and Ride projects.
• Performs engineering technical (calculation, design, drafting, research) support to the Ride/Show project team or Core Engineering and Safety as assigned.
• Edits and updates S/R engineering specifications as specifically assigned by S/R engineering management.
• Review, edit, or develop test protocols, procedures, and plans. Execute, witness or approve testing and test results as assigned and authorized by Engineering and Safety management. Reduce data and report on test results.
• Supervise and guide project technical personnel (indirect or direct reporting relationships).
• Drive safety improvements across all attractions. Exchange safety information across all parks and attractions. Monitor compliance with regulations and internal standards; develop new safety technologies; and ensure that safety protocols reflect theme park best practices and cutting-edge ideas. Track attraction safety.
• Make direct engineering contributions to projects as required relative to engineering, code and standards compliance, Universal Specification compliance, and technical systems achievement of creative and business goals. Reviews the technical plans and results for UC projects as assigned. Enforce Universal's specifications, standards, and technical contracting methods. Guide project teams with meeting compliance requirements levied by any AHJ. Assists with Universal Patent pursuit and defense related to project activities.
• Where assigned, interface with Corporate Legal and Risk Management for S/R systems related issues, including providing technical representation for claims avoidance and defense, and technical advice relative to public policy issues and government / regulatory body relations.
• Interface with the planning and development groups attached to USJ, USH, UO, and USS operations. May manage UC core technical personnel in existing park expansion and new venue development. Contribute to planning, budgeting, and staffing exercises in support of new UC work, including identifying and screening all technical candidates at managerial or higher levels, and lower level candidates as required. Advise, review, and approve Project Risk Management for S/R systems related issues.
• Drive technical improvements across all attractions. Supervise and guide UC core Technical and Safety personnel and project technical personnel attached to Universal Park operations. Act as principal focal point to enhance communication of common engineering issues and solutions between all parks. Enhance consolidated use of UP&R technical resources; identify and proliferate best practices.
• Communicate common engineering issues and solutions between all Universal parks. Enhance consolidated use of UPR technical resources. Sponsor Technical and Operations Safety Summits to examine and foster adoption of best practices at all parks.
• Direct Universal Patent pursuit and defense. Determine business need for patents, and advise management as to patent pursuits and costs.
• Act as Universal's technical representative to salient Codes and Standards organizations and in legislative matters for Show and Ride related items. Maintain, modify as required, and enforce Universal's Show and Ride specifications, standards, and technical contracting methods.
• Act as Universal’s technical representative for claims avoidance and defense. Act as principal interface to Park and Corporate Legal and Risk Management for Show and Ride systems issues.
• Review and approve contract and legal documents related to Show and Ride systems as required for project work and as authorized by Engineering and Safety management, including, but not limited to Master Purchase and Master Services Agreements, Work Authorizations, Bid Evaluation Review Process records, Vendor Qualification Packages, Change Orders, RFP packages, and bid addenda.
• Where assigned, acts as Universal's principal Engineering point of contact to outside suppliers of Engineered Show and Ride systems and Engineering consultation. 
• 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 management.
• Oversee ADA compliance for Shows and Rides. Participate in Access Board meetings and activities. Participate in IAAPA and ASTM initiatives related to accessibility as assigned. Develop and execute innovations/inventions that provide increased accessibility.
• 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

Direct and/or indirect supervision of all UP&R technical personnel for a major project. Direct reports number up to 5. Indirect reports vary by UP&R project content and have ranged to 70 persons in recent past. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. 

Specializations: Ride, Show, Audio/Video/Projection (A/V/P), Control Systems, Ride/Show Networking, Lighting, Advanced Technology Interactives (ATI)

SCOPE

Complex, major decision making. Responsible for oversight of global attraction safety program, including ride systems, design, manufacturing and maintenance operations, industry communication and quality assurance. Additional responsibilities include planning for acquisition and use of technical resources, enforcement of Universal technical requirements, review of technical team performance, acting as technical interface to outside design and production entities, provide technical input and direction to project risk management/risk reduction activities.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering required. Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred. Professional Engineering License preferred.

EXPERIENCE

15+ years’ experience required in engineering practice, 10+ years’ required related experience in engineering practice; 7+ in theme park related work; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

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

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