Associate Special Effects Designer

Disney is hiring an Associate Special Effects Designer to join Walt Disney Imagineering in Lake Buena Vista, FL. This role sits within the Special Effects Design department, where the work centers on developing, fabricating, and installing practical special effects systems for theme park attractions from concept through final turnover. It suits someone early in their theme park or entertainment special effects career who wants hands-on exposure to the full production lifecycle of a major attraction build.

About the Role

Walt Disney Imagineering’s Special Effects team works across attractions and immersive environments, blending practical effects with theatrical storytelling at a scale most special effects professionals never encounter. This associate-level position reports to the Senior Manager of Special Effects Design and supports leads through feasibility mockups, design development, and field installation across domestic and international project sites. A typical week might involve fabrication coordination in the shop, documentation of design decisions, and cross-disciplinary meetings with lighting, audio, and show systems teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist special effects design leads in scope development from early concept through project close-out on theme park attraction builds.
• Support the design, construction, and delivery of feasibility mockups that validate special effects approaches before full production begins.
• Coordinate with integrated technical disciplines, including lighting, projection, and show systems, to ensure special effects design meets both creative and engineering requirements.
• Provide on-site installation support at domestic and international venues for extended periods of one to six or more weeks at a time.
• Maintain documentation of mockup results, design revisions, and technical decisions throughout the production and installation phases.
• Assist in troubleshooting special effects equipment during test and adjust periods prior to attraction opening.

What You Bring

• One to three years of experience in entertainment production, special effects, or a related technical discipline is preferred.
• Background in industrial design, manufacturing, or themed entertainment with exposure to special effects and projection systems is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with CAD software and the Microsoft Office Suite at a functional working level.
• Basic understanding of fabrication principles and installed theme park attraction systems, both technically and from a show perspective.
• Theatrical training or coursework is desirable, though a B.A. or B.S. is preferred but not required.

Why This Role

Walt Disney Imagineering is one of the few places where an Associate Special Effects Designer works on projects that span practical effects, projection system design, and large-scale themed entertainment environments, all within a single production pipeline. The team operates on a first-of-its-kind project model, meaning the special effects work here rarely repeats what has been done before. Disney offers a full benefits package including health coverage, savings plans, and educational support.

Apply now for the Associate Special Effects Designer role at Disney and bring your special effects background into one of the most distinctive project pipelines in themed entertainment production.