Ride technician
Also known as: ride mechanical engineer, aquatic technician, theme park technician, ride maintenance engineer, engineering supervisor
About this occupation
Ride technicians work to maintain and repair amusement park attractions. They need a strong technical knowledge and have specialised knowledge of the rides they are assigned to maintain. Ride technicians usually keep records of the maintenance and repairs performed as well as uptime and downtime for each serviced attraction. Attention to safety is especially important in the maintenance and repair of amusement park rides.
Essential skills and knowledge
- assemble electronic units
- amusement park emergency procedures
- ensure health and safety of visitors
- maintain amusement park equipment
- check ride communications
- maintain electronic systems
- electronics
- monitor amusement park safety
- mechanics
- mechanical components of vehicles
- maintain amusement park attractions
- ensure health and safety of staff
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers (O*NET 49-2092.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Inspect and test equipment to locate damage or worn parts and diagnose malfunctions, or read work orders or schematic drawings to determine required repairs.
- Reassemble repaired electric motors to specified requirements and ratings, using hand tools and electrical meters.
- Measure velocity, horsepower, revolutions per minute (rpm), amperage, circuitry, and voltage of units or parts to diagnose problems, using ammeters, voltmeters, wattmeters, and other testing devices.
- Repair and rebuild defective mechanical parts in electric motors, generators, and related equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
- Lift units or parts such as motors or generators, using cranes or chain hoists, or signal crane operators to lift heavy parts or subassemblies.
- Record repairs required, parts used, and labor time.
- Typical education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Critical Thinking, Equipment Selection, Quality Control Analysis
US median pay: US$56,210 a year (2025), 14,450 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.2)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Post-Secondary Certificate
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Rail Car Repairers
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.