WDI Ride Development Engineering Intern, Summer 2025

Job ID 10104390 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Jan. 27, 2025

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Job Summary:

About the Role & Program

Be a part of an innovative team and culture…

Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.

At Ride Engineering, it is our responsibility to move people through our stories in magical ways that bring these experiences to life! Ride Engineers bring optimism and solutions to design challenges that seem impossible, and partner with diverse creative talent to define and build one of a kind experience that bring fun and joy to millions of people all around the world.

The approximate date of this internship is May/June 2025 to August/September 2025 and will be located in Glendale, CA.

What You Will Do

As a Ride Development Engineering intern, you have the opportunity to work within a Project Engineering team, and be responsible for a wide variety of mechanical design & development tasks on innovative ride platforms that include unique requirements for extreme duty cycles, high reliability, and inherent life safety. Responsibilities may include conceptualizing, designing, analyzing, and/or testing of system components and features. Throughout the internship, a RDEI will be exposed to subject matter experts in a variety of engineering disciplines and experience a diverse environment where scope and requirements change frequently. While an intern is responsible for a variety of engineering activities, emphasis is always placed on learning. You will have the opportunity to:

Creatively apply engineering principals to assist in the design of a wide variety of innovative ride platforms, components, & related equipment for unique (and fun) life safety systems.

Work with teams to distill technical requirements from high level experience/story descriptions & artwork

Conceive and implement elegant solutions to complex design challenges

“Clean sheet” concept design of ride components that meet creative intent and requirements

Implement proof of concept prototype & mock ups: design/fabricate/test

Assist with development of scope, inspection, testing, and report documents

Digital model and drawing development and release

Assist with installation, field support, testing, and standards development

Explore and evaluate new and emerging technologies for practical use

Required Qualifications & Skills

Relevant engineering expertise (eg. machine design, kinematics, stress/strain, power train, materials)

Superior design sensibilities and creative problem solving

Ability to communicate complex technical concepts with non-technical audience.

Work collaboratively within a large and diverse team environment

Highly dependable, strong work ethic, with excellent time management skills.

Willingness to learn new things and continually improve capabilities/skills

Positive and optimistic influence on team, department, and community

Comfortable working in a creative/chaotic environment

Familiarity with design tools (eg. SolidWorks, Navisworks, AutoCAD, SketchUp, ANSYS, FEA, Matlab)

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with life safety design/requirements

Experience with prototype, development, and/or innovative products

Hands on experience with equipment assembly, fabrication, and installation

Proactive/self-sufficient/able to work and add value with minimal oversight

Attention to detail // Optimism and Enthusiasm // Perseverance and grit

Education

Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an accredited college/university, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering or an equivalent degree

Eligibility Requirements & Program Information 

Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements: 

Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship

Be at least 18 years of age

Possess unrestricted work authorization

Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program.

Additional Information 

Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work

Must be fully available for the duration of the internship

Able to provide own housing for the duration of the internship in Glendale, CA

The pay rate for this role in California is $30 per hour for undergraduate level and $35 per hour for graduate level. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

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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 that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. 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 Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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