Animations Technician

Universal Studios Hollywood
Job ID: 508272
Category: Park & Resort OperationsPark & Resort Operations, Technical Services,
Career Type: Full Time
Location: Hollywood, CA

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bring movies to life.

Our Technical Services team is responsible for maintaining our shows, rides, attractions, and facilities throughout the park. Our team of highly skilled technicians provide unique solutions and dynamic service to ensure the very best show quality for our guests.

Job Description & Requirements

Become an integral part of our technical team as an Animations Technician, where you’ll play a vital role in maintaining and ensuring the safe operation of ride systems and show-quality elements across the theme park. Reporting to the Animations Foreman/Gang Boss, you’ll collaborate closely with team members to monitor technical equipment, conduct daily inspections, perform repairs, and complete preventative maintenance on show characters, effects, ride vehicles, and other animation elements.

In this role, you’ll be responsible for maintaining the accuracy of parts and ensuring accountability while adhering to strict safety protocols, guidelines, and quality control standards. Your problem-solving skills will be essential for troubleshooting technical issues, resolving conflicts, and addressing challenges in high-pressure situations. Additionally, you’ll support the team by organizing and allocating resources, completing administrative tasks, and providing timely and precise communication to internal departments and external partners. A strong working knowledge of technical disciplines—including mechanical/structural, hydraulic/pneumatic, electrical/electronic systems, and program logic controllers—is essential. Your dedication to teamwork, precision, and delivering exceptional results will ensure immersive and memorable experiences for guests of all ages.

Responsibilities:

Assist in all attraction maintenance functions assigned. Respond and resolve maintenance issues that affect show quality of all characters, effects and ride vehicles in a timely manner. Allocate resources as needed. Ensure that work is performed correctly and follows approved procedures for ride system safety, show quality, operation and compliance of all rides, shows and effects in the park.
Communicate accurately matters regarding the operational status of all attractions and show venues to the Gang Boss and/or Foreman as well as department heads as it pertains to the Animations department.
Support animations requests of all operating groups/departments within USH in a timely and professional manner.
Adhere to all Standard Operating Procedures within Technical Services and USH at large. Understand and demonstrate the proper use of safety practices and ensure department standards are maintained and safety policies for the Park upheld.
Maintains machines and equipment in safe, operating order. Complete daily inspection sheets and related repairs. Ensure that work performed is correctly documented. Ensure that unscheduled work performed is correctly documented
Assist in the development and implementation of processes which enhance system efficiencies and increase productivity
Maintain proficiency in all areas as it pertains to his/her area(s) of responsibilities assigned.
Maintains and controls inventories at levels adequate to sustain efficient operations.
Promote and provide extraordinary guest service for both internal and external guests; answer questions and offer information in a courteous manner. Seek to provide assistance to guests, where appropriate.
Assist other technical staff in assessing and resolving technical failures.
Perform other duties as assigned

Desired Characteristics

Theme Park Operations knowledge and experience
Excellent organizational, verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated ability to work with all levels of employees and management, and willingness to give assistance to co-workers. Strong team player.
Strong interpersonal and analytical skills
Strong time management skills
Ability to multi-task and be flexible is essential

Requirements:

Eligible candidates must be fully available to work early mornings, mid-day, afternoon, evening, late night, and/or overnight shifts, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
College degree or Technical School Certification and/or Specialized Technical training in applicable disciplines
Must possess a broad knowledge of the following disciplines: Electrical/electronic, Hydraulic/pneumatic, Mechanical/Structural, Welding/Fabricating, Program Logic Controllers (PLC), Machining, Inventory Control Inspection, Quality control procedures
Experienced in metal fabrication, designs and technical blueprints for all the disciplines listed above
Must possess excellent interpersonal communication skills both verbal and written on a technical level
Flexible to daily/weekly schedule changes
Able to work independently
Requires moderate to heavy physical exertion
Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull heavy materials and objects up to 50lbs.
Must be able to stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb, etc. for extended periods of time
1-3 years technical and trade experience
Basic understanding of the disciplines related to Electrical/Electronic Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanical/Structural and Program Logic Controllers (PLC)
Basic understanding of metal fabrication, designs and blueprints
Ability & willingness to work overtime, weekends and holidays.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

Pay:

The pay rate for this role is $31.83 per hour

Additional Information:

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 in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

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, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access nbcunicareers.com as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by emailing Staffing.Support@udx.com

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Universal Creative Internship Video Transcript

[Ariel] The Universal Creative internship program is full of extraordinary opportunities for interns to gain hands-on work experience. [Jeff] Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to take part in designing spaces that creates some of the fondest memories for people. [Griffin] The idea of blending technology, engineering, and storytelling really spoke out to me. And I wanted to be an environment where I could learn for those who really know what they're doing. [Ariel] I looked and the job description was amazing. It was literally everything that I've ever wanted out of an internship. [Ana] Some of the cool things that I've been able to do is see a lot of behind the scenes about how the park is run, and just envisioning the future worlds of tomorrow. It's been a really cool experience just to see what's coming up. [Carey] I've done some really cool attraction walkthroughs. I've got to walk through Hulk and Kong Skull Island and Forbidden Journey, and those were really incredible experiences. [Griffin] I think the cool thing about the Universal Creative internship is, you have a lot of opportunities to work with others and do what you want to do. [Jeff] I never expected any sort of company to be like this. [Emily] I really feel like I can be myself here. Everyone's been so opening and welcome. I don't have to put on a mask. I don't have to be somebody that I'm not. I can just be my genuine, authentic self. [Carey] I would say the culture at Creative is really a community and teamwork based. [Ariel] Everyone's so invested into the interns, and that's something unique. [Ana] You can ask a question and you'll always get an answer. [Tyler] Everyone's always happy and I'm willing to help you out when you're trying to learn something new, or you don't know how to do something. [Griffin] And as a student, it's very important to get that career guidance as you go on through more classes, and it's been a really great opportunity to get that in a very open environment. [Carey] For future interns, I would just say network and learn as much as you can. It's a really incredible opportunity and everyone wants to help you out. [Emily] Embrace your time here. Take advantage of your time here because it goes by so fast. [Ana] There's no such thing as you're only doing one job here. [Griffin] You have a lot of opportunities to go outside of your scope of work as an intern. So use it as an opportunity to absorb everything like a sponge. [Ana] Join the Universal Creative team. The possibilities are endless.

Team Member Journey

“I was always a fan of Universal Orlando Resort and visited the parks frequently growing up, so when I was ready for my first job while in high school, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. But I never imagined that my part-time job would turn into an exciting career! The ability to grow within the organization is one of the things I love most about Universal Orlando. Growth is an important part of the culture and no matter where you begin your journey, there’s opportunity to explore different areas and find your passion. I also love that there’s always something new and exciting happening at our destination for guests, including new attractions, events and more. The constant rollout of innovative new experiences makes it extremely fun and rewarding to be a part of the team!”

Kristen

Director, Public Relations

Kristen's Career Journey

2001

Ride & Show Attendant (The E.T. Adventure)
Public Relations Intern

2006
Spring & Summer 2007

Event Management Temporary Assignment
Corporate Sales Coordinator

Fall 2007
2008

Public Relations Coordinator
Public Relations Representative

2010
2013

Manager, Public Relations
Sr. Manager, Public Relations

2019
2023

Director, Public Relations

Team Member Journey

“Universal Studios was a huge part of my childhood growing up, introducing me to some of my favorite films like Back to the Future. As an adult, the development of interactive wands for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ really opened my mind to the possibilities for creative applications of interactive technology. Since working at Universal Creative, it has become clear why such innovative experiences are not only possible but encouraged. Our work culture is incredibly inclusive and motivating of outside the box thinking and collaboration which leads to world class experiences for our guests. Additionally, the work environment at Universal Creative has been critical to my personal career development. I am regularly encouraged to ask questions, to take creative ownership of my work, to seek out development opportunities for my skills, and to collaborate with my peers across the company. I’ve had the honor of working on multiple world class experiences with Universal Creative and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next challenge.”

Anthony

Software Developer, Universal Creative

Anthony's Career Journey

2016

Intern, Engineering
Technical Coordinator

2017
2017

Associate Software Developer
Software Developer

2020

Team Member Journey

"To me, Universal is a community of passionate, knowledgeable people who are driven to create great impact for our guests and Team Members. In an environment like this, the work I do and the people with whom I have the privilege of partnering makes daily work feel interesting and exciting. I always say I could do what I do for a living anywhere, but I am privileged to do this work here. Our culture allows for learning and movement, and I’ve been lucky to grow by learning from a variety of experiences, including internships, mentoring, park shifts, Team Member advocacy and event support, volunteering, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team Member Resource Groups. When I ask, “Can I learn about your team and what you do?” I am always given an enthusiastic, welcoming response by leaders across our universe. As I’ve grown here, I’ve watched Universal also grow - opening new parks, rides, and restaurants; growing our footprint across the world; and introducing innovative and cool experiences. It feels like it is always an exciting time to be here, and I can’t wait to be a part of the amazing things we’ll do next!”

Anisa

Sr. Manager, Organizational Development (Former UO Intern)

Anisa's Career Journey

2005

Intern in Organizational Development
Assorted work around HR

2006
2007

Talent Acquisition Interviewer
Rep, Org Development

2008
2011

Sr Rep, Org Development
Specialist, Org Development

2013
2016

Manager, Org Development
Sr Manager, Org Development

2019

A Universe of Global Opportunities

Universal Orlando Resort is an all-in-one entertainment destination that includes Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal’s Volcano Bay, Universal CityWalk and Universal Orlando Resort hotels. We bring unforgettable experiences alive for our guests, immersing them in legendary stories, fantastic journeys, exciting nightlife and more.