TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life.
With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Bloomberg, Google, Beyoncé, and The Olympics
Position Purpose
The Automation Engineer III is an individual contributor responsible for the ongoing service, maintenance, upgrades, troubleshooting, and operational support of automation and control systems at client sites. This role ensures that show automation, motion, and safety systems remain safe, reliable, and fully functional throughout live operations. A Level III is distinguished from Level II by advanced independent ownership of complex or high-risk scopes, broader client and cross-functional leadership, and consistent mentorship, standards ownership, and technical decision-making.
A key part of this role is supporting scheduled and reactive maintenance shifts at client sites, including working during park maintenance windows, off-hours, and other periods when systems are taken offline for inspection, repair, testing, and upgrades. The Automation Engineer must be comfortable working in time-sensitive environments where access to systems may be limited and the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve issues is critical to maintaining operational readiness.
The role partners closely with client technical teams, Achieve teams, Engineering, and Project Management to resolve issues, minimize downtime, maintain system health, and implement improvements. The position requires strong technical judgment, hands-on troubleshooting ability, clear communication, and a willingness to travel, sometimes on short notice and for extended periods.
Essential Responsibilities & Accountabilities
- Support client maintenance shifts and operational requirements, including scheduled and reactive maintenance activities during park maintenance windows, off-hours, and other limited-access periods. Perform inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs, testing, validation, and system readiness activities to support safe and reliable operation.
- Provide on-call and emergency technical support, responding to system faults, operational disruptions, and client needs. Rapidly triage and troubleshoot issues remotely and onsite, identify root causes, restore functionality, and maintain clear communication with client and internal stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot and maintain automation, control, mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems, including controls networks, drives, safety systems, rigging, gearboxes, brakes, alignment, hydraulics, and related equipment.
- Identify equipment wear, system degradation, recurring issues, and potential operational risks, taking proactive action to prevent failures and minimize disruption to client operations.
- Plan and execute onsite service activities while maintaining accurate service documentation, test reports, commissioning records, system updates, and redlines. Support system handover, operator training, and transition into ongoing operational support.
- Deliver system upgrades, software updates, patches, and retrofits ensuring systems are properly tested, validated, documented, and ready for return to live operation.
- Independently lead assigned automation scopes from planning and testing through commissioning and final validation, including medium-to-large or moderate-to-high-risk upgrades. Provide technical direction, coordinate cross-functional support, and escalate only when risk, scope, or business impact requires broader leadership alignment.
- Provide technical input during project planning, design, commissioning, and troubleshooting, collaborating with Engineering, Capability, Project Management, and client technical teams to identify challenges, develop solutions, and maintain project and operational momentum.
- Communicate technical information, risks, resource needs, scope gaps, and service-related challenges clearly and proactively to clients, peers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
- Provide technical leadership, peer support, and mentorship to less experienced integrators and engineers, sharing knowledge and reinforcing TAIT standards for safety, quality, troubleshooting, documentation, and client service.
- Demonstrate accountability and sound decision-making in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, balancing safety, quality, client needs, system performance, and schedule requirements while knowing when to escalate issues.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships through dependable technical support, professional communication, responsiveness, and consistent follow-through.
- Contribute to continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned, identifying opportunities to improve system reliability and service processes, and sharing knowledge across project and technical teams.
- Travel domestically and internationally, sometimes with short notice and for extended periods, to support client sites, maintenance shifts, projects, commissioning, service activities, and operational needs. Approximately 120 travel days per year, depending on market sub-placement and client requirements.
Other duties may be assigned to meet business and client needs as required.
Minimum Qualifications
To perform the essential responsibilities, individuals must have the following level of education and experience, or an equivalent combination. Additionally, the following certifications, knowledge, skills, or physical requirements are necessary for the position.
- GED or High School Diploma required; formal education or training in a relevant technical field is a plus.
- 7+ years of technical experience in field applications, mechanical system maintenance, automation installation, or a related technical discipline.
- Demonstrated ability to independently own complex technical scopes, make sound decisions in ambiguous or high-pressure environments, and provide guidance to less experienced engineers or integrators.
- Experience troubleshooting entertainment automation systems in theme parks, cruise ships, theaters, or similar live entertainment environments is a plus.
- Demonstrated experience with rigging, hydraulics, mechanical systems, and electrical systems.
- Experience with Siemens TIA Portal is a plus.
- Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs and controls is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to work scheduled and reactive maintenance shifts, including park maintenance windows, off-hours, and other non-standard operating hours as required by the client.
- Ability and willingness to travel with short notice and for potentially extended periods, including approximately 120 days per year of domestic and international travel, depending on client and market requirements.
- Must have the right to work in the United States.
- Willingness to relocate to Orlando, FL.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
The physical demands and working conditions described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
- Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
- Frequently walk, bend, climb, push, pull, twist, squat, stoop, and kneel.
- Must be able to lift or move up to 70 lbs. with or without assistance.
- Must be able to pull or push up to 140 lbs.
- Work conditions may involve moderate exposure to dirt, dust, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
- Work environments may involve exposure to hazards or physical risks requiring adherence to basic safety precautions.
- Must be able to properly wear and utilize required PPE, including safety glasses, reflective vests, ear plugs, safety-toed shoes, and other PPE required by the work location.
- Ability to work in a variety of entertainment environments, including shops, backstage areas, catwalks at height, construction areas, theme parks, and cruise ships.
- Ability to work during scheduled maintenance shifts and non-standard hours when required to support client operations and system availability.
The company is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical limitations or disabilities. Candidates are encouraged to discuss any specific physical requirements or accommodation needs during the hiring process. The organization will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal employment opportunities.
TAIT Benefits:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions (HDHP plans)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical & Dependent Care)
- Employer-paid life insurance with optional supplemental coverage
- Employer-paid Short-term with optional long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Paid parental leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Wellness stipends
- Voluntary benefits (e.g., accident, critical illness)
- Paid vacation and 12 holidays
#LI-NT1
TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.