Senior Manager, Controls Engineering

NBC Universal; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Orlando is seeking a senior Controls Engineering Manager to lead the Controls Engineering Department for safety, reliability, and show quality across high-technology ride and show attractions. You will assist the VP in budgeting and capital planning to optimize asset ownership.

The role demands extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, motion control, and safety-critical systems, plus strong leadership and project-management skills in a theme park environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is required.
• Master's degree is preferred.
• 10+ years in engineering environment focused on control and automation systems, preferably in a theme park setting.
• Experience with PLC-based control systems and safety-critical design is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Controls Engineering Department to meet safety and reliability goals.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards including NEC, OSHA, ISO 13849 and IEC 62061.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to minimize downtime and optimize cost-of-ownership.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLC

Motion control systems

Safety compliance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PanelBuilder 1400E

RSLogix

RSNetworx

ControlLogix

AC/DC motor control

Job description

We are currently looking for exceptional candidates to fill positions in the below categories.

search results

Job no: 668668
Work type: Regular (Full-Time)
Location: Orlando
Categories: Management, Engineering, Orlando - Technical Services

JOB SUMMARY:

Manages Controls engineering efforts associated with safety compliance, improved ride reliability and enhanced show quality for all of the high technology ride and show attractions at Universal Orlando Resort. The manager will also assist the Vice President in maintaining cost controls within Engineering’s assigned budget. Work with the attractions to identify, define, and prioritize capital issues to realize optimum cost-of-ownership of Universal Orlando’s assets in Rides and Shows.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and lead the Controls Engineering Department. Support the overall goals and priorities of the department to achieve the highest standards of safety and reliability. Inspire customer service attitude and instill a tradition of continuous process improvement throughout the team. Emphasize reduced cost-of-ownership of the Rides and Attractions through superior engineering and cost savings through improvements in preventative maintenance effectiveness and cost avoidance through proactive measures to reduce equipment failures and collateral damage.
• Ensure that Controls reengineering tasks for the Rides and Attractions are performed to the highest standards of safety, reliability and quality. Ensure compliance with al applicable codes, regulations and standards including: AISC, ASME, ASTM, ANSI, AWS, JIC, NEC and OSHA among others. Ensure that downtime efforts are kept to a minimum through appropriate partnership with tech services, focusing on preventive maintenance.
• Serve as Safety Control System expert to maintain configuration management of hardware and software documentation in accordance with Engineering guidelines for proper archiving and security. Prepare Ride control system documentation as required including ensuring all configurations files are in Asset Centre, etc. Prepare comprehensive Engineering reports showing technical analysis, design solutions and “learned best practices”. Conduct technical reliability evaluations of Engineering design concepts and design constructs. Develop risk analysis studies of new designs to improve ride reliability and maintainability.
• Manage staff, including selection, hiring, induction, training, performance appraisal and IDP to ensure overall increase in knowledge, experience, responsibility and individual accountabilities Lead, motivate and inspire the Engineering Team by providing design reviews, staff meetings, stimulating culture and challenging environment that recognizes achievement, promotes effective communications and develops individuals to achieve their maximum level of performance and ensure a best in class Engineering Department. Manage Rockwell Assurance partners, and Obsolescence initiatives.
• Coordinate and facilitate inter and intra-department partners and external resources including: Attraction maintenance group(s), Document Control, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Finance, Human Resources, Landscape and Water Quality, Operations, Outside Vendors, Quality Assurance, Security, and Sustaining Engineering. Maintain, and encourage within subordinates, close and friendly working relationships; model by example.
• Manage spending within assigned budget guidelines and minimize overtime worked. Assist in identifying and developing detailed budget plans for tasks and projects that reduce cost of ownership of the attractions.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology or related fields is required
• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology or related fields is preferred

EXPERIENCE:

• 10+ Years: Experience in an Engineering environment focuses primarily on control and automation systems, preferably in a theme park environment; interacting with other Engineering and Maintenance Department disciplines
• Experience with:
  • Allen-Bradley PLC based control systems
  • AC and DC motors and motor control systems
  • Motion control systems
  • Show and animation control systems
• Proficiency with personal computers using Win95, word processing and spreadsheets
• Proficiency with complex diagnostic test equipment, proficiency in control systems drawings and technical documents.
• Cognizance in ASTM regulations applying to theme parks, and the NEC are also required.
• 8+ years project management functions especially in the area of technical compliance, scheduling and budgeting; performing technical support functions in regards to control systems, motor and motion control systems

AND

• 10+ years demonstrated experience in electrical engineering, control system design and installation utilizing PLC’s, ladder logic, variable frequency drives and servo control systems, process and/or machine safety, field experience with Theme Park technical environment and process control fault analysis/isolation experience required
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• PLC controls programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting; required
• AC/DC Drives (motor controls) Configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting; required
• Cisco networking and wireless network certifications; preferred

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Strong analytical skills to perform engineering calculations for design, analysis, test and implementation of electrical and control systems.
• High Level of knowledge and experience in the design of safety critical systems, ISO 13849-1, ISO 13849-2, ISO12100 standards, IEC60204-1, IEC62061, PL safety levels, and UL 508A, NEC, ASTM, ASTM F24 Standards and UO’s Safety Standards.
• A strong background in servo controls as applied for hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromotive motion control systems is required.
• High Level of knowledge of Allen Bradley PLC Systems, "C", Visual Basic, and other software platforms. Experience utilizing PLC-5, SLC-500, ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PanelBuilder 1400E, PanelBuilder32, RSView 32, RSLinx, RSLogix (5 thru 5000), RSNetworx, Allen-Bradley PLC, and AC/DC motor control systems.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations commensurate with Baccalaureate training in electrical, electronic and software engineering.
• Experience with generation of control system specifications, acceptance test procedures, technical compliance, system risk assessments and failure analysis.
• Proven application experience utilizing the following products and networks. Anitech, Gilderfluke show system controllers, 1305, 1336, 750 series AB variable frequency drives, Data Highway Plus, Remote I/O, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Ethernet, DMX and SMPTE.

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.

Advertised: Oct 27 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: