WDI Ride Development Engineering Intern, Summer 2025

About the Role & Program

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