Engineering/Imagineering

[AshaNeOmah]

Does anyone know what Disney looks for when recruiting for Imagineering or the Parks Engineering group? I've had my BS in Civil/Structural Engineering from an accredited university for a little over three years and am only a year away from sitting for my Professional Engineer exam. I've worked in commercial and private design and construction, drafting and surveying and am currently involved in structural design in power utility.

I've submitted dozens of resumes to the Disney corporate site and haven't heard so much as a peep from any official sources. I know that these divisions are very tough to crack and was wondering if anyone had an idea of what they would look for in a resume. I've asked this question here before, a year or so ago, but no one seemed to know at the time. I think there is at least one ex-Imagineer who may be able to tell be desired qualifications.

It's really my ultimate professional dream to work for Imagineering and I'm not expecting the track to be fast or easy. I've attempted to break into the Central Florida engineering market but jobs are just too scarce right now. I'm currently 8 hours from Orlando but would love to have the opportunity to work in the area.

Thanks for any advice that anyone may have.

 

[tizzo]

I don't have any specific knowledge, but a number of podcasts I follow have interviewed Imagineers over the years, and "how do you become an Imagineer" is always asked.

Based on the answers typically given to this question, it seems to me that Imagineering is much more about art than engineering. Not one of the interviewees has ever reported having a background in science or engineering, they have all been artists. I'm not sure if this is true in general, or if it just worked out that way because the artists tend to rise to the top of the Imagineering discipline such that they're the only one podcasters want to talk to. But I got the distinct impression that even the most gifted of engineer need not apply if they aren't also very creative.

I think Civil Engineering in particular might make it hard to break in, because I think they outsource most structural work to local firms.

But I'm not really sure, these are just my impressions based on things I've heard and read.

 

[AshaNeOmah]

I can definitley understand that train of thought and it is probably very true. The fact still stands, though, that someone has to have the technical knowledge to develop the land, utilize the resources, install the utilities and structures and get everyhting up to code. In my experience, artists and architects tend not to have the technical background or understanding to get these jobs done.

As for the outsourcing, I think that would be a pretty sweet gig. Anyone know a common company they may contract with? I've also done some land development so I'm familiar with the civil side of engineering, too.

 

[tizzo]

This story from the Sentinel in early 2010 names the two contractors doing the FLE as Barton Malow Co. of Southfield, Mich., and Birmingham, Ala.-based Construction LLC. I guess that's a good place to start looking, but I don't know if these are frequently-used Disney contractors, or if they were hired special because of the scope of this project, or if they hire different contractors every time.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-02-25/business/os-disney-fantasyland-contractors-20100225_1_fantasyland-expansion-disney-fairies-walt-disney-world

A quick Google search comes up with a lot of sites that seem like they are contractors, and where the word Disney appears somewhere on their page, so my guess is that they've used a lot of different contractors over the years instead of sticking with a proven stable of companies. That's just a guess though. I bet someone here knows better.