Universal Orlando Resort is hiring a full-time Associate Project Manager for drone operations.

“Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” officially ended its run at Universal Studios Florida last month to make way for a new nighttime spectacular. It’s been speculated for months that the new nighttime show would involve drones so this job posting supports the rumor.

Sources stated that testing of this possible show has already begun. Drones can be used to create images in the sky and this technology has been used before by both Disney Parks and Universal, but sparingly.

Drones would provide a solution for Universal’s nighttime show problem. Because Universal Orlando Resort is in the city proper (unlike competitor Walt Disney World Resort) and surrounded by residential neighborhoods (including an apartment complex directly backed up to the property), their shows feature little to no pyrotechnics. Drones could be substituted to create the “impressive” element that many guests have complained is missing from the lagoon shows.

The drones could supplement a grander show still utilizing water curtains and projection mapping.

Read the full job description below or click here to apply.

Associate Project Manager – Drone Operations, Tech Services

JOB SUMMARY: Organizes and establishes effective project management for drone usage across Technical Services and cross-departmentally when required. Manage the implementation of new flight routes with professional communication with Technicians, Supervisors, Managers, and Directors of various areas around property. Collaborate with other departments and UPR parks for their implementation of drone flights and programs. Train and review other pilot performance, research new drone technology, and make recommendations to best serve the business. Keep and organize documentation in accordance with FAA, Technical Services, Legal, EHS, Security, and Creative standards.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works closely with all affected teams, business partners, and vendors to plan, organize, secure, and manage resources for new drone project efforts. Submit appropriate applications in legal and engineering compliance.
• Responsible for the management of the project including work statements, work breakdown structures, developing and tracking budget and scheduling, tracking individual project tasks, providing risk analysis, tracking and resolving issues and action items.
• Document and record all applicable data for each flight mission. Update information regarding new FAA regulations and UPR standards. Utilize CMMS and Cloud services for organizing and sharing reports and data back to customers. Maintain documentation in accordance with recommendations from Comcast Audit teams and review and verify drone usage in other departments follow the same process.
• Review and verify training of Pilot in Command (PIC) for drone flights and applicable technology utilized.
• Maintain FAA Part 107 drone license and up to date on latest FAA guidelines and communicating new policies to team.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION:

• High school degree or GED required
• Associate’s degree (AA) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school is preferred or equivalent industry experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• 7+ years of experience in the aviation industry or flying aerial equipment preferred.
• Experience in troubleshooting and repair of complex electro-mechanical systems, as well as hydraulic and mechanical system in the theme park industry or aviation industry.
• Experience with predictive technology preferred, as well as experience motivating and training others
• or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• FAA Part 107 license
• NAARSO Level 1
• Vibration Analysis Level 1
• Ultrasound Level 1
• Infrared Thermography Level 1

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Due to the responsibilities of this position, the role will primarily take place on 3rd shift, with frequent shifting of times to accommodate training, flight schedules, and meetings with leadership. Flexibility is a key part of this role and will also require some on-call time.

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration

“Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” began in 2018. Performed in the Universal Studios Florida lagoon with dedicated viewing in the Central Park grass, it utilized fireworks, water curtains with projections, projection mapping, and over 120 fountains. It used footage from “Harry Potter” films, “Jurassic World,” “The Fast and the Furious,” “E.T.,” “Despicable Me,” “Transformers,” and more. The show was suspended for several months in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions but returned in October of that year. In 2021, it included a preshow for the Tokyo Olympics.

Universal Orlando described the spectacular as an epic show with a colossal celebration of music, water, and light that transforms the park and “takes you into the movies like never before.”

The announcement of the closure of “Universal Orlando’s Cinematic Celebration” was sudden, not providing fans a chance to revisit the show before it ended. For now, there is no nighttime spectacular at Universal Studios Florida as a debut date for the new show wasn’t announced.

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