Lead Automation Engineer, Live Entertainment Systems

TAIT; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

HSA contributions

401(k) match

Paid parental leave

EAP

Job summary

TAIT is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer in Orlando to lead parkwide automation systems, mentor Automation Engineers, and drive upgrades from planning to operation. You will resolve complex issues, supervise on-site support during maintenance windows, and ensure safety and reliability across motion and control systems.

The role combines hands-on technical leadership with people management, coaching, and cross‑functional collaboration with Engineering, Project Management, and client teams to

Qualifications

• GED or High School Diploma required; formal study in a relevant technical field is a plus.
• 5+ years of technical experience in field applications, mechanical system maintenance, automation installation, controls, or related discipline.
• Experience troubleshooting automation or entertainment systems preferred.
• Experience with rigging, hydraulics, mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems.
• Right to work in the US; willingness to relocate to Orlando, FL; travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for parkwide automation systems, ensuring show automation, motion, controls, and safety systems remain safe, reliable, functional, and operationally ready.
• Lead emergency and scheduled client support, including on-call response, rapid troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, inspections, repairs, load testing, system validation, and short-notice onsite support during park maintenance hours.
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation, controls, electrical, mechanical, and electromechanical issues, including controls networks, drives, safety systems, rigging, gearboxes, brakes, alignment, and other mechanical systems.
• Lead system upgrades, retrofits, and software updates from planning and testing through commissioning, validation, documentation, and return to operation.
• Independently lead medium-to-large and moderate-to-high-risk technical scopes, including FAT through SAT, while owning schedule, quality, scope, technical execution, and resolution of project blockers.
• Provide technical direction and expertise during project planning, design, bidding, commissioning, and troubleshooting, partnering with Engineering, Project Management, Achieve teams, and client technical stakeholders to ensure effective and practical solutions.
• Serve as the direct line manager for assigned Automation Engineers, establishing expectations, conducting regular one-on-ones and performance reviews, providing feedback, and supporting employee development and career progression.
• Build and develop a high-performing automation engineering team through coaching, mentoring, training, stretch assignments, knowledge sharing, succession planning, onboarding, and identifying opportunities to strengthen team capabilities.
• Align team staffing, workload, resources, and priorities with project and organizational needs, balancing immediate client requirements with long-term team effectiveness and business objectives.
• Foster an inclusive, accountable, respectful, and collaborative team culture, addressing performance or people-related concerns appropriately and advocating for the development and success of direct reports.
• Make timely, sound technical and operational decisions while balancing safety, quality, client needs, resource constraints, and sustainable system performance; recognize when issues require escalation.
• Maintain strong relationships and communication with clients, technical teams, Engineering, Project Management, peers, and leadership, providing clear updates and representing TAIT professionally in highly visible operating environments.
• Identify recurring issues, system risks, skill gaps, and opportunities for continuous improvement, using lessons learned, service data, documentation, and team knowledge to improve reliability and future project execution.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and service records, including test reports, commissioning records, redlines, system updates, and handover materials, while consistently following TAIT safety procedures and company standards.

Skills

Technical leadership

People management

Troubleshooting

Communication

On-site support

Mentoring

Resource planning

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Formal technical training

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Job description

TAIT is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer in Orlando to lead parkwide automation systems, mentor Automation Engineers, and drive upgrades from planning to operation. You will resolve complex issues, supervise on-site support during maintenance windows, and ensure safety and reliability across motion and control systems.

The role combines hands-on technical leadership with people management, coaching, and cross‑functional collaboration with Engineering, Project Management, and client teams to