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R&D Imagineer Principal - Mechanical Engineer

Job ID 10113427 Location Glendale, California, United States Business Walt Disney Imagineering Date posted Mar. 07, 2025
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Job Summary:

About the Role and Team

Walt Disney Imagineering makes the impossible possible, by combining innovation and storytelling to bring Disney stories, characters and worlds to life.

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 an engineer on this team, you will work on new ways to bring characters to life, build impossible magical effects in the real world, build immersive environments, and create interactive experiences.

We are looking for a principal-level mechanical engineer who has not only a specialization and depth of knowledge in mechanical engineering but also a breadth of skills and experience they can use to jump-start and encourage small teams and quickly build demonstrators ranging from benchtop prototypes to semi-/full-scale mockups. 

This role will report to the Executive R&D Imagineer.

What You Will Do

  • Ideate, develop, and build mechanical designs that meet functional and creative requirements.

  • Prototype and iterate at a fast work pace

  • Build physical demonstrators, prototypes, and mockups

  • Lead a project team, managing budget, schedule, and resources, while simultaneously performing engineering design work

  • Identify, evaluate, and manage multiple vendors as required to accomplish project work

  • Perform risk assessment on studio projects, helping teams determine at what point a project should be considered finished based on the working requirements of the intended application

  • Work autonomously or independently with minimal guidance

  • Mentoring less experienced Imagineers in both engineering skills and professional growth

  • Provide engineering guidance across projects, acting as a consultant and subject matter expert

  • Diplomatically discuss differing designs, strategies, and ideas within a group

  • Establish, build, and maintain relationships with collaborators within Walt Disney Imagineering, the greater Walt Disney Company, and with those external to the company.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • 10+ years as a mechanical engineer with a broad knowledge of design principles and analysis with experience building physical machines and systems

  • Highly proficient in Solidworks, with knowledge of FEA, FMEA, tolerancing, and manufacturing processes

  • Skilled in using basic machine shop equipment such as, but not limited to: Bridgeport/vertical milling machines, lathes, CNC, metal fabrication, etc.

  • Analytical troubleshooting skills on complex machines and systems

  • Experience designing and analyzing weldments

  • Experience designing systems with motors, understanding the concepts behind gear/belt/lever transmissions and reflected inertias

  • Understanding the value of a minimum viable prototype

  • Experience with DFM (design for manufacturing) and design principles for productization in the post-prototype phase

  • Track record of solving complex engineering problems through a combination of traditional and novel design approaches

  • Knowledge of additive manufacturing processes and their principal applications

  • Familiar with current technology

  • Proven experience leading a team, but able to get hands-on and work side-by-side with your teammates, being just as comfortable on a team of two as a team of twenty

  • Thrives working in collaborative interdisciplinary groups comprised of engineering and creative talent

  • Experience managing the requirements from a diverse collection of stakeholders

  • Able to calmly react and solve problems under pressure during demos, playtests, and events, directing and delegating as required.

  • Ability to provide engineering guidance and feedback to other project teams to assess feasibility, difficulty, effort, and risk

  • Clear and concise communication among peers, teammates, and studio leaders

  • Driven by the idea of creating new experiences for people while knowing that our technological developments are the ‘supporting cast’ behind the magic we deliver to our guests

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with hydraulics and pneumatics

  • Experience in the design of BLDC servo motors and other actuator types

  • Experience in robotics and autonomous systems

  • Experience in the entertainment, theme park, or movie industry

Education

  • Bachelor’s (Master’s preferred) or equivalent in mechanical engineering

Additional Information

This role is located in Glendale, CA.

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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. 


The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $184,300 to $247,100 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

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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 WDI Research & Development, Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney Imagineering.

WDI Research & Development, 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.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

Having technical issues? View the FAQs for help.

Hiring Process

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  • Be Part of the Story

    There are many different brands and businesses to explore. Once you've found the opportunity that is right for you, take the next step by completing your application.

  • The Next Chapter

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Explore this Location Glendale, CA

The Los Angeles County city is home to authentic Middle Eastern food, culture, and its very own “Walk of Fame.”

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