Becoming a rollercoaster designer/engineer

And that is the perfect attitude to have. Good Luck.

If you still want to work in the amusement/themed entertainment industry, and you're not hired by a roller coaster manufacturer, there are still some other fields that may interest you.

Show and Ride Systems Engineering is a favorite of mine, and deals heavily with the nuts and bolts details behind all rides, as well as show control computers, etc. It's the brains behind the operations, really.

Architecture is somewhat technically oriented, but requires a flare for design, too. It's suited wonderfully toward some of the more creative elements in attraction design, including show design and concept development.

Finally, there are always positions for skilled craftspeople of all sorts. But, remember, in a situation like that, you'd almost always work on contract, and would be doing other things as well.

*** This post was edited by Chernabog 3/31/2003 12:38:10 PM ***

Architecture! That's my major right now at UNLV (sucky football team I know). Anyways that's my major and I hope to use my knowledge to get a job with Disney Imagineering or a commercial architecture firm.

Hey, sorry I have to bring this old topic up again.

If I get the major with no problem, where I should go next? Any coaster companies or can I go to Six Flags and get them to hire me as their own designer for their parks? I just want to know what should I do after I grad after college with Engineering major.

-go to any roller coaster companies?

-go to Six Flags Inc., Cedar Fair L.P. or others?

-start my own business as designer for general?

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RCT2 recreation of SFNE coming this summer!

I am working for S&S Power now which is also arrow and CCI here in Logan Utah. Six Flags hardley ever desings their own rides. The only one I can even think of is Viper at SFGAM. Your best bet would be to go out in the field and get some experience. Most coaster companies will not hire you right out of college, you need experience. Another route would be to apply for an internship. I know arrow offers them for sure and would be a great way to get your foot in the door.

Along with what was said earlier you definetly need an engineering degree. Mechanical is the best but not the only option. Another thing you nned to consider is drafting. You need to know CAD and basically have a degree in that too. Coaster companies also look for real life experience. They are looking for someone that has an interest in many things like working on cars. The reason for this is because they will have more hands on experience then someone with just a degree.

I hope this helps you. If you have any more q? feel free to ask.

I don't know if this was mentioned... but there are very few people who design the actual coaster layout, and sometimes they are designed by the parks for example; I hear'd that Alton Towers mainly designed air.

If i'm wrong please correct me

Is it possible if I got a job at Arrow/S&S do I have to move to Utah or I can stay home and design their rides and send it to them?

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RCT2 recreation of SFNE coming this summer!

If I were lucky enough to work for S&S/Arrow I'd move to Utah no questions asked. And I'm gonna guess you'd have to also. The question is smothered in naivity.

I'm an one of 4 engineers that designs little plastic crap and there's no way I could do my job without being face to face with supervisors, manufacturing, fellow engineers, marketing, quality assurance, the R&D lab etc.....and we make fairly simple mechinisms with less than 10 pieces. If you're on a coaster development team you can bet you're there in person.