Job Summary:

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life.Imagineering is the master planning, creative development, design, engineering, production, project management, and research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company. Its talented corps of Imagineers is responsible for the creation - from concept initiation through installation - of all Disney Resorts, theme parks and attractions, real estate developments, regional entertainment venues, and new media projects. Disney Imagineers are uniquely talented individuals that bring together the best aspects of creativity, innovation, and passion.

At Imagineering Research and Development, our mission is to use technology to build new experiences for our Guests and new tools for Imagineers and the Cast Members who power our parks. R&D is a team of engineers, designers, artists and scientists who share a passion for solving hard problems and building ground-breaking experiences. As a mechanical design engineer, you will create new ways to design, build and animate dynamic physical characters, immersive environments and interactive experiences.

Responsibilities:

• Develop mechanical designs that meet functional requirements.
• Own all phases of the design and fabrication process – early concept design, prototyping, 3D modeling, detailed design, production drawings for manufacturing, assembly and testing
• Lead internal design reviews and reviews with external vendors and fabricators
• Interface with Disney fabricators or external machine shops to ensure that designs can be successfully produced
• Test and iterate on proof-of-concept designs, evolving requirements and designs as the team learns
• Contribute to the culture and community of the WDI R&D Studio

Basic Qualifications:

• 6+ years' experience as a mechanical design engineer
• Strong mechanical design experience, ideally in robotics or mechatronics industry
• Experience designing and building complex, electro-mechanical systems
• CAD experience (preferably SolidWorks) mastery of parts/assemblies/drawings
• Rapid prototyping experience, ability to fabricate your designs at a prototype level
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes (plating, milling, turning, EDM, grinding)
• Embraces flexibility and adaptability as the team learns through prototyping and playtesting, adjusting strategy as needed
• Experience managing fabrication vendors
• Ability to work collaboratively with other technical and creative disciplines
• Ability to provide clear direction and feedback to other team members
• Thinks strategically and creatively to solve challenges
• Manages & prioritizes multiple assignments in a highly dynamic R&D environment
• Demonstrates a desire to constantly improve and adapt to new technologies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with actuator design, motor selection and sizing
• Materials science and metallurgy experience
• Experience designing and fabricating with flexible materials
• Complex surface modeling capabilities
• Experience with kinematic motion analysis
• Structural FEA experience
• Experience with tolerance stack-up analysis
• Sheet metal and weldment design
• CAD administration, configuration, standards and roll-out experience
• Matlab, Simulink or Python experience
• Industrial design experience, ability to pair aesthetic form with function

Required Education

• BS (MS preferred) or equivalent in mechanical engineering

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

About Walt Disney Imagineering:

Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park — Disneyland — Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting-edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. WDI is the creative force that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Imagineering’s unique strength comes from its diverse global team of creative and technical professionals, who build on Disney’s legacy of storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment. The Imagineers who practice this unique blend of art and science work in more than 100 disciplines to shepherd an idea all the way from “blue sky” concept phase to opening day.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Inc., which is part of a business segment we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.