About the Role & Program
Be a part of an innovative team and culture…
Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.
The approximate date of this internship is January 2026 to June 2026 and will be located in Glendale, CA.
What You Will Do
We are looking for a Show Mechanical Engineering intern to join the team that helps to dream and create many of the magical moments that our guests enjoy! The Show Systems team is responsible for delivering world class Audio- Animatronic figures, show action equipment and special effects throughout their full lifecycle. We partner with various teams to help deliver quality products, and our processes and tools help to take us from concept design to production and installation.
An intern with our department focuses on mechanical engineering tasks related to the creation of animatronic figures and show action equipment, where fantastic show, lifelike performance, durability, reliability and safety are a must. We are responsible for bringing the creative intent (look, feel & sound) of our stories into physical reality. The intern will support different phases of the engineering process from concept development through final design, production, test, installation and commissioning for a variety of theme park attractions. Our diverse needs call for many areas of specialization which allow our engineers to learn and grow within the mechanical engineering realm. These areas include design engineering, machine design, mechanical analysis, advanced 3d modeling, 3d printing, production processes, material sciences, and more. Candidates are not expected to have experience in each space but should be passionate about growing their skills in these areas as they relate to themed entertainment.
We are looking for candidates who are excited to solve hard problems and grow in the mechanical sciences in service to bring the Walt Disney Company’s stories to life! As an intern on the team, you will have the opportunity to:
Design mechanical components under the direction of others
Create models and drawings in Solidworks
Perform calculations for machine designs such as development of loads, stress analysis, and motor and component sizing
Provide production support for animated figures and show action equipment
Support test and commissioning of animated figures and show action equipment
Generate drawings and engineering reports to document engineering designs
Required Qualifications & Skills
Ability to perform basic engineering analysis and calculations
Possess a basic knowledge of mechanical components and manufacturing processes
Experience with SolidWorks or equivalent 3d modeling tools
Availability to work various shifts commensurate with global project requirements (typically 8am – 5 pm)
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated/proven strong leadership, technical and interpersonal skills
Self-starter with demonstrated initiative - able to handle multiple tasks and priorities
Familiar with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is desired [ANSYS is preferred]
Familiar with mechanical system modeling tools [MATLAB or Simulink is preferred]
Education
Currently enrolled as a Junior or higher attending an ABET accredited engineering program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Engineering Mechanics
Eligibility Requirements & Program Information
Candidates for this opportunity MUST meet all of the below requirements:
Be enrolled in an accredited college/university pursuing a degree taking at least one class at time of application posting OR currently participating in a Disney College Program or Disney Internship
Be at least 18 years of age
Possess unrestricted work authorization
Have not completed one year of continual employment on a Disney internship or program.
Additional Information
Able to provide reliable transportation to/from work
Must be fully available for the duration of the internship
Able to provide own housing for the duration of the internship in Glendale, CA
The pay rate for this role in California is $30.00 per hour for undergraduate students and $35.00 per hour for graduate level students. Select benefits may be provided as part of the compensation package, such as medical, financial, and/or other benefits. To learn more about our benefits visit: https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.