Sr Director, Engineering and Safety

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

The Sr. Director, Engineering & Safety is a key technical focal point for Universal Theme Park activities in Show and Ride disciplines.  When Core assigned, is responsible for contributing to the long and short term strategic planning for Engineering & Safety, and for direct oversight of project technical assets for viability and compliance of their scopes, vendor selections, and work.  When project assigned, responsibilities include strategic planning for acquisition and use of technical resources, specification and enforcement of Universal technical requirements, review of technical team performance, acting as key technical interface to outside design and production entities, provide technical input and direction to project risk management/risk reduction activities, and technical contribution to intellectual properties protection.

Responsibilities Include:

• Performs engineering technical (calculation, design, drafting, research) support to the Ride/Show project team or Core Engineering and Safety as assigned.
• Edits and updates S/R engineering specifications as specifically assigned by S/R engineering management.
• Review, edit, or develop test protocols, procedures, and plans.  Execute, witness or approve testing and test results as assigned and authorized by Engineering and Safety management.  Reduce data and report on test results. 
• Supervise and guide project technical personnel (indirect or direct reporting relationships).
• Reviews portions of Vendor-provided design review documents.  Includes drawing review, component selection review, calculation review, test plan review, test results review, or review of other deliverable items as specified by engineering management 
• When Project assigned, assists in managing or manages vendors through the process of bidding, designing, manufacturing, testing, shipping, installation, start up, and commissioning of S/R systems.  Provides technical guidance and vendor management through day-to-day design, fabrication, installation, test & adjust and commissioning activities.  Responsible to translate creative intent and business goals into technical documents that will serve to acquire bids and lock in price and schedule for delivery of systems that will deliver upon those goals.  Builds strong team cohesion and motivation within the Attraction Technical Team by managing change and conflict with dedication to a positive outcome.  Vendor management includes participation in all aspects of both technical and project / contract management as it applies to Scope generation, vendor contract establishment and management, directives, and change order processing.  Is responsible for balancing technical, creative, budget control, and schedule demands to achieve an optimum work product for the customer park.
• Ensure all Show and Ride equipment maintains the highest level of safety in accordance with Universal Specifications, accepted manufacturing practices and local standards.  Identify and pre-qualify vendors capable of design, production, and/or 3rd party review in support of Show and Ride projects.
• When Project assigned:  Enforce Show and Ride technical and safety principles to provide a quality product and necessary deliverables. Manage scope and deliverables to achieve and document compliance under AHJ requirements. Support and advise Project Management on how best to achieve this goal, and keep UPR Core Safety & Engineering briefed on progress and issues.  Is responsible to take UPR S&E direction to the project team.
• Drive safety improvements across all attractions.  Exchange safety information across all parks and attractions. Monitor compliance with regulations and internal standards; develop new safety technologies; and ensure that safety protocols reflect theme park best practices and cutting-edge ideas. Track attraction safety.
• Makes direct engineering contributions to projects as required relative to engineering, code and standards compliance, Universal Specification compliance, and technical systems achievement of creative and business goals.  Reviews the technical plans and results for UC projects as assigned.  Enforces Universal's specifications, standards, and technical contracting methods.  Guide project teams with meeting compliance requirements levied by any AHJ. Assists with universal Patent pursuit and defense related project activities. 
• Interfaces with the planning and development groups attached to USJ, USH, UO, and USS operations.  May manage UC core technical personnel in existing park expansion and new venue development.  Contributes to planning, budgeting, and staffing exercises in support of new UC work, including identifying and screening technical candidates at managerial or higher levels and lower levels candidates as required.  Advise, review, and approve Project Risk Management for S/R systems related issues.
• Drive technical improvements across all attractions.  Supervise and guide UC core Technical and Safety personnel and project technical personnel attached to Universal Park operations. Act as principal focal point to enhance communication of common engineering issues and solutions between all parks.  Enhance consolidated use of UP&R technical resources; identify and proliferate best practices. 
• Where assigned, interface with Corporate Legal and Risk Management for S/R systems related issues, including providing technical representation for claims avoidance and defense, and technical advice relative to public policy issues and government / regulatory body relations
• Review and approve contract and legal documents related to Show and Ride systems as required for project work and as authorized by Engineering and Safety management, including, but not limited to Master Purchase and Master Services Agreements, Work Authorizations, Bid Evaluation Review Process records, Vendor Qualification Packages, Change Orders, RFP packages, and bid addenda. 
• Oversee ADA compliance for Shows and Rides.  Participate in Access Board meetings and activities.  Participate in IAAPA and ASTM initiatives related to accessibility as assigned.  Develop and execute innovations/inventions that provide increased accessibility.
• Where assigned, acts as Universal's principal Engineering point of contact to outside suppliers of Engineered Show and Ride systems and Engineering consultation.  When Project assigned:  manage technical interaction with other Project Technical personnel, Vendors, Sub-contractors, and other relevant 3rd parties involved with Show and Ride systems.  Develops an open working relationship with the Facility Team and Specialty & General Contractors to ensure a clear line of communication regarding installation, test, and adjust activities 
• Review and approve the content of Universal licensee show and ride product, as limited by specific contractual license arrangements, for compliance with Universal technical, accessibility, and safety requirements.  Advise developer/licensees regarding personnel, vendors, strategies, schedule, and Universal technical compliance procedures and requirements.  Assist licensees as requested with development and compliance issues.
• Understand and actively participate in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities. 
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering required. Master’s degree in in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• 15+ years’ experience required in engineering practice, 10+ years’ required related experience in engineering practice; 7+ in theme park related work; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Ability to work through complex, major decision making.
• Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal-designated worksite.

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $210,000 - $260,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.