SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

Director, Design & Engineering

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. • $100K — $130K *
Orlando, FL 32828In-Person
Hospitality & Recreation
8 - 10 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related technical field.
  • 10+ years of experience in project management across design, engineering, and construction.
  • 5+ years in a guest-facing industry such as theme parks, entertainment, or hospitality.
  • Experience leading large-scale capital projects valued at $10 million or more.
  • Proven ability to manage and mentor project managers and cross-functional teams.
  • Strong knowledge of construction processes, budgeting, scheduling, and permitting requirements.
  • Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and mentor the Design & Engineering project management team.
  • Develop strategic plans for departmental projects and allocate resources effectively.
  • Collaborate with leadership on attraction development and capital project execution.
  • Manage major capital projects over $10 million, from conception to closeout.
  • Coordinate with external architects, engineers, and contractors throughout projects.
  • Oversee project budgets, schedules, and procurement activities to ensure timely execution.
  • Participate in annual project prioritization and long-term infrastructure planning.

Benefits

  • Paid Time Off
  • Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
  • Discounts on Food and Merchandise within the park
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401K Retirement plan
  • Voluntary Insurance options
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependents
  • Employee Assistance Program for personal support
  • Legal Assistance Plan for employees.
Full Job Description
Position Summary
  • The Director of Design & Engineering is responsible for leading the planning, design, and execution of major capital improvement projects across SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, and Discovery Cove.
  • This role provides leadership and strategic direction to the Design & Engineering project management team while partnering closely with park and corporate leadership to support attraction development, infrastructure improvements, and long-range capital planning.
  • The Director manages large-scale, complex capital projects from concept development through project closeout, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with company standards and operational needs.
  • The ideal candidate has extensive experience leading design and construction projects in a fast-paced, guest-facing environment, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while building strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, contractors, consultants, vendors, and leadership teams.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Lead, coach, and mentor the Design & Engineering project management team.
  • Provide strategic planning, prioritization, and resource allocation for departmental projects and initiatives.
  • Partner with park and corporate leadership teams to support the strategic planning, concept development, design, and execution of major attractions and capital projects across the Orlando parks.
  • Serve as Project Manager for major capital projects valued at $10 million or greater.
  • Manage external architects, engineers, ride vendors, general contractors, specialty contractors, consultants, and other project partners.
  • Oversee project budgets, schedules, procurement activities, vendor coordination, and overall project execution.
  • Collaborate with park leadership to identify, prioritize, and oversee annual sundry, infrastructure, and capital improvement projects.
  • Support the development and execution of 5-year infrastructure improvement plans.
  • Lead project meetings and communicate project status, risks, budget updates, schedules, and key milestones to stakeholders and senior leadership.
  • Review drawings, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, contracts, bids, and contractor proposals.
  • Support contractor selection, bid reviews, contract administration, change order management, and project closeout activities.
  • Coordinate project activities within an active operating environment while minimizing impacts to guests, Ambassadors, and park operations.
  • Collaborate with park operations, maintenance, safety, environmental, legal, sourcing, finance, and corporate teams to ensure successful project delivery.
  • Ensure compliance with company capital project controls, approval processes, applicable codes, permitting requirements, policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
  • Support capital planning, forecasting, and long-range infrastructure planning as assigned.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related technical field.
  • Minimum 10 years of project management experience across design, engineering, and construction.
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in the theme park, entertainment, hospitality, resort, attraction, or another guest-facing industry.
  • Experience leading large-scale capital projects valued at $10 million or greater.
  • Experience leading, mentoring, or managing project managers or cross-functional project teams.
  • Experience managing external architects, engineers, contractors, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
  • Strong working knowledge of construction processes, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, permitting, and project delivery methods.
  • Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, schedules, cost estimates, and project budgets.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with senior leadership.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in theme parks, attractions, hospitality, entertainment venues, resorts, or other large-scale guest-facing environments.
  • Experience managing projects in occupied, operating, or high-traffic facilities.
  • Experience with ride systems, attraction development, specialty construction, or themed entertainment projects.
  • Experience reviewing contracts, scopes of work, bids, and change orders.
  • Familiarity with project scheduling and construction management software.
  • PMP, CCM, PE, RA, or other related professional certification.


Physical Requirements
  • Frequent walking throughout the park and construction sites.
  • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  • Ability to climb stairs, navigate construction areas, and occasionally work at heights.
  • Ability to lift, push, pull, and/or carry up to 35 pounds occasionally.
  • Ability to bend, kneel, squat, and perform site inspections as needed.


What You'll Bring
  • A strategic and hands-on approach to project leadership.
  • The ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and influence cross-functional partners.
  • Confidence interacting directly with contractors, consultants, vendors, stakeholders, and senior leadership.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
  • The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced operating environment.
  • A commitment to safety, quality, accountability, teamwork, and the guest experience.


The perks of the position:
  • Paid Time Off
  • Complimentary Park Tickets and Passes
  • Park Discounts on Food and Merchandise
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401K Retirement plan
  • Voluntary Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Benefits
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Legal Assistance Plan


About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. is a theme park and entertainment company that operates marine mammal parks, oceanariums, animal theme parks, and water parks. The company owns and operates twelve parks located across the United States. SeaWorld parks feature live entertainment, rides, and animal exhibits. The company is also involved in conservation efforts and animal rescue operations. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
Learn more about SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
Size
2,800 employees
Market Cap
$3.2 billion
Industry
Hospitality & Recreation
Net Income
-$312.3 million
5 Year Trend
+2.3%
Revenue
$431.7 million
NASDAQ
SEAS
* Ladders Estimates

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