Senior Special Effects Designer

Jobtailor; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Senior Special Effects Designer to lead Disney-themed shows from concept through close-out, coordinating with multiple disciplines and ensuring FX installations meet stringent standards, approvals, and safety requirements.

You will design, produce and troubleshoot effects, manage budgets and schedules, supervise field installations, provide post-opening training and support, and collaborate with production teams on international sites.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Entertainment or Theme park special effects.
• Ability to concept and design any level of special effect to support the show.
• Ability to design, produce, install, maintain and troubleshoot theme park special effects equipment.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Assist overall project team in scope development from concept stage through close-out.
• Concept, design and delivery of all required feasibility mockups.
• Interface with all integrated disciplines to ensure internal/external requirements are met.
• Oversight and management of all production activities to ensure budget & schedule are met.
• Field installation supervision.
• Maintenance and operations training & post opening support.

Skills

Special Effects Design

Troubleshooting Special Effects

Production Strategy Planning

Budget and Schedule Management

Disney Standards Knowledge

Field Installation Supervision

Feasibility Mockup Development

Technical Disciplines Knowledge

Job description

• Assist overall project team in scope development from concept stage through close-out
• Concept, design and delivery of all required feasibility mockups
• Knowledge and experience with Disney standards and requirements
• Preparation and delivery of documentation to establish FX scope schedule & budget
• Planning & management of overall design/production strategy
• Interface with all integrated disciplines to ensure internal/external requirements are met
• Oversight and management of all production activities to ensure budget & schedule are met
• Field installation supervision
• Maintenance and operations training & post opening support

Requirements

• 10+ years in Entertainment and/or Theme park special effects experience.
• Ability to concept & design any level of special effect required to support the show, using all appropriate creative and technical methods.
• Ability to design, produce, install, maintain and troubleshoot theme park special effects equipment.
• Thorough knowledge of installed Disney theme park attractions from a technical and aesthetic show perspective.
• Knowledge of all related technical disciplines and their application to the creation of special effects, optics, mechanics, materials processes etc.
• Must be able to travel to all domestic and international sites for 1 week – 6 weeks + at a time.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive experience in the design, production, and management of theme park special effects, ensuring alignment with Disney standards and requirements. Capable of overseeing all aspects of project scope, budget, and schedule while providing training and support post-installation.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• 10+ Years Entertainment Experience
• Special Effects Design and Production
• Disney Standards Knowledge
• Field Installation Supervision
• Budget and Schedule Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Special Effects Equipment Design
• Troubleshooting Special Effects
• Feasibility Mockup Development
• Production Strategy Planning
• Technical Disciplines Knowledge

Industry Keywords

• Theme Park
• Entertainment
• Disney Theme Park Attractions
• Creative and Technical Methods
• Maintenance and Operations Training