Electrical Control Lead, Water Rides

WhiteWater makes products, but we are a service business at our heart, which means we are a people business. In this way, we excel and create value for our clients by listening to their needs, collaborating to develop solutions, problem-solving and attending to the details. Our culture, as you would expect, reflects these traits. We are a diverse group of experts, from creative designers to talented engineers. Whatever expertise we bring from all over the world, we listen and learn from each other because we are aligned with a clearly understood purpose. Together, we create fun for families globally. Are you interested in starting an exciting career with WhiteWater? Apply today!

We are seeking a talented Electrical Controls Lead to be an integral part of a world-class team that automates the control systems for amusement rides.

Position: Electrical Controls Lead, Water Rides

Shift: Regular Full Time, 40 hours a week

Department: Water Rides

Location: Richmond, BC, Canada

Reports to: Operations Manager, Water Rides

Purpose:

The Electrical Controls Lead, Water Rides designs automated control systems for complex amusement rides. This includes PLC programming, system coordination, and ride effects. This is a key role that ensures new rides attain a technical design advantage that meets the high-quality standards set forth by the company. The role is also responsible for determining the technical direction and strategy regarding controls systems in the ride portfolio, and ensuring best practices are used in the management of software development and change management.

Essential Responsibilities:

Leadership & Oversight:

• Act as the technical authority for ride control systems within the Water Rides Business Unit, providing final approval on critical design and safety-related decisions.
• Define and implement best practices, standards, and processes for ride controls engineering, ensuring compliance with industry codes, safety standards, and regulatory requirements (ASTM, EN, CSA, UL, ISO).
• Ensure consistency between implementations and ability to manage systems throughout their life cycles.
• Mentor and oversee the work of controls engineers and designers, including peer reviews, design validation, coaching and vendor management.
• Promote respect, positive communication, and collaborative relationships in line with company values.

Controls System Design & Architecture:

• Lead the system design of ride control systems, including:
• Facility requirements and infrastructure.
• Risk analysis and safety level design to ISO 13849 and IEC 61508.
• Sensor and controls selection, network and system architectures.
• System-level electrical schematics, panel specifications, and wiring diagrams.
• Prototype and test new electrical and PLC design concepts.
• Maintain schematics and BOMs for the electrical cabinets and other electrical systems of the ride design
• Ensure ride controls designs balance reliability, maintainability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Software Development & Programming:

• Program PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and SCADA systems for automated water ride systems.
• Develop ride program logic, implement safety-rated logic and redundancy schemes to achieve required Performance Levels (PL) or Safety Integrity Levels (SIL).
• Apply validation tools such as SISTEMA for functional safety analysis.
• Oversee software version control, configuration management, and documentation for long-term system support.
• Conduct peer reviews and manage overall quality assurance of controls software deliverables.

Testing, Commissioning & Documentation:

• Lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), ensuring systems perform to specification and safety standards.
• Create technical operations documentation, including functional and technical specifications, FAT/SAT procedures, and user manuals.
• Provide international field support for ride installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, customer training, and ongoing service.
• Ensure change management and regression testing practices are followed throughout commissioning and remote support activities.
• Perform root cause analysis and action Non-Compliance Reports (NCRs) and Opportunities for Improvement (OFIs).

Project & Business Support:

• Support sales proposals by providing preliminary design concepts, technical inputs, and estimated costs.
• Interface with clients during design reviews, commissioning, and service phases to ensure satisfaction and technical integrity.
• Manage controls engineering deliverables against project scope, schedule, and budget.

Continuous Improvement & Compliance:

• Drive continuous improvement by implementing lessons learned, design standardization, and modular programming approaches.
• Ensure all deliverables conform to company standards, quality procedures, and applicable codes (CSA, UL, CE, etc.).
• Maintain and follow best practices in Engineering, Quality, Lean Management, Safety, and Customer Service.
• Execute responsibilities with integrity, in accordance with lawful and ethical standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering. A focus on Mechatronic systems is ideal.
• Registered, or eligible to be registered as a P.Eng. with EGBC.
• 5-10 years of experience in a similar position.
• Working level familiarity with Siemens industrial automation equipment (TIAPortal and G series VFDs)
• Fundamental understanding of IEC 61131-3 programming languages (Ladder, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text)
• Experience with industrial network design and implementation including PROFINET, PROFIsafe, Ethernet/IP, Modbus.
• Experience defending design with international 3rd party regulators would be an asset.
• Experience with AutoCAD software for electrical drawings.
• Experience with industrial controls system troubleshooting (Software, Hardware, Networking, etc)
• Knowledge of electrical installations in harsh or marine environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel
• Ability to travel globally on short-notice basis for periods up to 2+ weeks at a time.
• Must be able to travel globally without restrictions.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to work in a team or matrix environment and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective internal and external working relationships with all levels in the organization.
• Customer service focus including a professional and diplomatic attitude working with people at all levels within an organization.
• Able to meet tight deadlines in a fast paced, fun and professional environment.
• Adept at problem solving and trouble shooting.
• Possess a mechanical aptitude.
• Creative, innovative and open to new concepts.
• Detail oriented with the ability to see the big picture.
• Excellent time management, organization and priority defining skills.
• Exceptional ability to listen, communicate (written and oral) and collaborate.
• Organized and pro-active with administrative tasks.
• Flexible individual with the ability to multi-task and prioritize a changing workload.
• Hands-on, role-up your sleeves, do whatever it takes to get the job done attitude.
• Pro-active and a keen learner.
• Ability to communicate in other languages is an asset for international travel.

Whitewater Competencies:

• Accountability – We do what we say
• Collaboration – We work well together
• Customer Focus – We know and respond to our customers
• Communication – We listen to and understand each other
• Authenticity – We are honest and trust each other
• Resilience – We deal effectively with pressure, are persistent and optimistic
• Flexibility & Adaptability – We are willing and able to respond to changing circumstance