Automation Engineer III - Cruise Operations

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, Beyonc, and The Olympics

Position Purpose
The Automation Engineer is a hands-on, technically focused role responsible for the ongoing service, maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades, and operational support of automation and control systems across live entertainment environments. This position ensures that show automation, motion, and safety systems remain reliable, safe, and fully functional throughout ongoing 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 periods onboard cruise vessels, including working during limited-access windows, shipboard maintenance periods, and other times when systems are taken offline for inspection, repair, testing, and upgrades. The Automation Engineer III 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.
Automation Engineers support systems beyond initial delivery-responding to operational issues, diagnosing faults, performing preventative maintenance, and implementing upgrades that improve reliability and system capability over time. The role requires strong technical judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work effectively in fast-paced, time-sensitive environments.
The role partners closely with onboard teams, shoreside operations, Achieve teams, Engineering, Project Management, and client technical teams 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 on short notice, including internationally and onboard cruise ships.
An Automation Engineer operates at the intersection of technology, engineering, and live entertainment-ensuring complex automation and motion systems perform safely and reliably in environments where precision and uptime are critical.
Essential Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Provide on-call and emergency technical support to client partners, responding to system faults, operational issues, and disruptions
• Perform rapid triage and troubleshooting remotely and onsite to identify root causes and restore system functionality
• Diagnose and resolve faults across automation, control systems, networks, drives, and safety systems
• Plan and execute scheduled and reactive onsite service visits, including inspections, preventative maintenance, repairs, load testing, and system validation
• Maintain and troubleshoot automation, control, mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical systems, including rigging, gearboxes, brakes, alignment, and related equipment
• Identify equipment wear, system degradation, recurring issues, and emerging risks, taking proactive action to prevent failures and minimize disruption to cruise operations.
• Independently lead assigned cruise 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 s
• Deliver system upgrades, software updates, patches, Navigator and iQ updates, retrofits, and configuration changes in accordance with TAIT standards and client requirements
• Validate system upgrades through structured testing to ensure compatibility with live operational environments before systems return to service.
• Prepare and maintain accurate service documentation, test reports, commissioning records, redlines, system updates, and client-facing service records.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Capability, Project Management, and client technical teams to support system performance and ongoing service requirements
• Communicate technical information, risks, resource needs, scope gaps, and service-related challenges clearly and proactively to clients, peers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
• Support system handover, operator training, and transition into ongoing operational support
• 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 cruise vessels, maintenance periods, projects, commissioning, service activities, and operational needs.

Minimum Qualifications
To perform the essential responsibilities, individuals must have the following level of education and experience, or equivalent combination. Additionally, the following certifications, knowledge, skills, or physical requirements are necessary for the position.

• GED or High School Diploma required
• 7+ years of technical experience in field applications, mechanical system maintenance, automation installation, controls, 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 or installing entertainment automation systems on cruise ships, in theme parks, theaters, or similar live entertainment environments is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with two or more of the following mechanical or electrical systems, controls, electromechanical systems, rigging, and hydraulics.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, onboard teams, shoreside operations, Engineering, Project Management, and other technical stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to work scheduled and reactive maintenance periods, including shipboard maintenance windows, limited-access periods, and other non-standard operating hours as required by the client.
• Willingness to sail with and accept accommodations onboard cruise ships during maintenance periods.
• 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 or Lititz, PA.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is required to frequently walk, bend, climb, push, pull, twist, squat, stoop, and kneel each day. Specific requirements are:

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time
• Must be able to lift or move 70 lbs. with or without assistance.
• Must be able to pull or push 140 lbs.
• Work conditions of the role:

Work conditions may involve moderate exposure to unusual elements such as dirt, dust, fumes, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises. Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require following basic safety precautions.

• Must be able to wear and properly utilize appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to work within or visit areas where required. This includes, safety glasses, reflective vest, ear plugs, safety toed shoes, and other PPE as required by the location
• Ability to work in "entertainment conditions" including a wide variety of working places such as shops, backstage, catwalks at height, construction areas, theme parks, and cruise ships.

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.