What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager, Ride & Show - Ride Systems (Expat to Japan) position at Universal Creative?
Job Summary
Provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for an attraction or attractions under an area of responsibility. Responsible for the successful specification, bid/award, design, production, installation, and acceptance testing of Ride and/or Show systems, to include Audio, Special Effects, Projection, Lighting, Set/Scenic, Props, Show Action Equipment, Animated Figures, Ride Systems, Mechanical Systems, Network Systems, Parkwide Systems, Ride Control, and/or Show Control Systems.
Major Responsibilities
Bachelor’s degree in an applicable technical field required. Advanced degrees preferred.
Experience
5 years’ experience in theme park specific technical/engineering role(s) required. 3 years vendor management experience required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
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.
Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2026 Universal Studios. © 2026 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. EOE
Provides technical management, inclusive of budget and schedule, for an attraction or attractions under an area of responsibility. Responsible for the successful specification, bid/award, design, production, installation, and acceptance testing of Ride and/or Show systems, to include Audio, Special Effects, Projection, Lighting, Set/Scenic, Props, Show Action Equipment, Animated Figures, Ride Systems, Mechanical Systems, Network Systems, Parkwide Systems, Ride Control, and/or Show Control Systems.
Major Responsibilities
- Manages in-field installation, test and adjustment of show and ride systems to ensure compliance with contract specifications. Works with Facility & Construction team and contractors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, test, and adjust activities.
- Reviews designs and documentation from contractors ensuring compliance with contractual requirements and specifications. Oversees contractor’s mock-up, prototype, and acceptance testing efforts to ensure final installed systems meet scope of work and contract specifications.
- Creates scope of work documentation and awards contracts to vendors based on quantitative requirements derived from interpreting creative intent and employing Universal Specifications.
- Leads design and production reviews at vendor locations ensuring product quality, specification conformance, and schedule accuracy.
- Develops and oversees project schedules and budgetary demands. Produces scopes of work and manages vendor progress from design through installation ensuring alignment with schedule and budget.
- 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.
- Project experience in theme park development, construction, show and ride systems design or fabrication within the entertainment/theme park industry preferred.
- Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to organize and manage a complex series of tasks and vendor(s) to develop and implement show and ride systems.
- Strength in schedule analysis and contract management required.
- Comfortable influencing decisions of major nature. High degree of tact & diplomacy to obtain favorable decisions or maintain good will.
- Comfortable working in a non-routine environment with frequently changing situations.
- Some global travel may be required (less than 30%).
- Significant vendor management.
- Directly supervises 0-5 Exempt and 0-1 Non-Exempt team members; Indirectly supervises efforts of vendors assembled to support specific project-related tasks. Number and types of staff will vary dependent upon the project.
Bachelor’s degree in an applicable technical field required. Advanced degrees preferred.
Experience
5 years’ experience in theme park specific technical/engineering role(s) required. 3 years vendor management experience required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
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.
Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2026 Universal Studios. © 2026 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. EOE