Associate R&D Imagineer - Mechanical Controls Engineer

About the Role & Team

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 dedicated Imagineers are 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 committed 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. You use your unique combination of skills to deeply understand innovative engineering systems and then integrate those systems into working prototypes. You’ll work with cross-disciplinary teams to translate ideas into something tangible. Using a variety of mediums, from diagrams or visualization to hardware and software prototypes, what you build will inform and inspire.

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What You Will Do

• Translate new, innovative experiences and technology concepts into tangible prototypes for discussion and iteration

• Help build and support small and large-scale interactive prototypes, mock-ups, and play-tests using cutting-edge controls, fabrication, and simulation tools

• Provide vital inputs to Project Leads and Technical Program Managers to assist in the definition of project scope, schedule, and budget for new development concepts

• Engage in team brainstorms and troubleshooting

• Collaborate across diverse cross-functional teams, communicating clearly and with a positive and inclusive attitude

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Proven ability to efficiently prototype new experiences, turning concepts into tangible artifacts that can be experienced and tested

• Experience in system integration including experimental protocol, task generation, and prioritization

• A broad understanding, comfort, and passion for technology and the ability to quickly and proactively learn new technologies, techniques, and tools

• Previous experience with motion capture data, dynamic systems, inverse kinematics, real-time control, and controls theory including reinforcement learning

• Experience in robotics (electrical, mechanical, and firmware) and rapid prototyping

• Strong presentation skills and professional writing skills

• Responsibility and flexibility. Excellent time management skills combined with the adaptability required in a dynamic and constantly evolving innovation environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hardware prototyping tools (e.g. Arduino, Raspberry Pi, microcontrollers, sensors, etc.)

• Experience in 3D solid and/or surface modeling, rigging, or animation (e.g. Maya, SolidWorks, SketchUp)

• Working knowledge of high-level modeling languages like Matlab/Simulink/Python, as well as low-level embedded code languages like C/C++/Rust

• Experience with designing and simulating compliant linkages and underactuated systems

• Experience with walking robotic systems

• Experience with human-robot interaction

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master's degree or comparable industry experience in mechanical, electrical, robotics, systems or controls engineering.

Additional Information

This position is located in Glendale, CA.

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.

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The hiring range for this position in Glendale, CA is $102,500 to $137,500 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.