Mechanical Engineer II

Join a creative, fast-paced team designing industry-leading animatronic and puppet characters for the themed entertainment industry. As a Mechanical Engineer II
, you’ll apply skills from industrial/manufacturing engineering, machine design, and R&D—emphasizing reliability, precision, and documentation—to bring imaginative concepts to life through mechanical innovation.

This position blends creative problem-solving with rigorous engineering across the full project lifecycle, from concept to fabrication and on-site commissioning. You’ll design custom mechanisms for multiple complex characters at once, balancing lifelike motion, durability, and manufacturability within tight timelines. Finished designs are effectively limited-run prototypes that must function flawlessly within highly constrained, organic forms for decades—always supporting storytelling while remaining invisible to the audience.

• Design, validate, and document custom electromechanical systems (linkage-driven, actuated, etc.) using Solid Works.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with creatives, engineers, and clients.
• Develop 3D models, detailed assemblies, and fabrication drawings.
• Integrate mechanical designs with controls, figure finish, and maintenance considerations.
• Perform mathematical, structural, and dynamic analyses (FEA, RBD, etc.)
• Manage documentation, BOMs, and vendor coordination.
• Navigate complex customer restrictions concerning design aspects (i.e., materials, hardware, allowed approaches, etc)
• Develop FAR and SLHA assessments.
• Support installation and commissioning of characters on-site.
• Work with Legacy designs to bring them up to present-day standard.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design practices.

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited or equivalent).
• 5–10 years of relevant engineering experience; themed entertainment preferred.
• Proficiency in Solid Works and PDM systems.
• Strong understanding of mechanical systems, GD&T, and modern manufacturing.
• Excellent communication, multitasking, and collaboration skills.
• Must submit a portfolio demonstrating relevant work applicable to animatronics and/or the Themed Entertainment industry.

Minimal

Work is performed in a warehouse/shop environment with exposure to typical industrial conditions, including noise and the operation of machinery and equipment.

Associate

Full-time

• Manufacturing

• Manufacturing
• Robotics Engineering
• Machinery Manufacturing

Location:

Nashville, TN

Salary: $72,000.00-$75,000.00

Posted 15 hours ago