Design Technologist - Play Structures & Attractions

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Technologist - Play Structures & Attractions

Company: WhiteWater West

Location: Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & Engineering Operations (GTM - Product Development Focus)

Date Posted: May 11, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid potential not fully specified, but on-site is the primary designation)

🚀 Role Summary

• Conceptualize, design, and develop innovative layouts, color schemes, and theming for aquatic play structures and attractions, directly impacting the customer experience and product marketability.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing, to ensure design feasibility, operational efficiency, and market readiness.

• Leverage advanced technical design skills in SolidWorks and AutoCAD to create detailed models and drawings for waterpark equipment.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement and modernization of product offerings by staying abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and materials in the amusement and aquatic play sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is titled "Design Technologist," its responsibilities heavily involve Go-To-Market (GTM) functions by ensuring product designs meet customer needs, market trends, and operational feasibility. This role sits at the intersection of product development and customer-facing design, impacting the success of WhiteWater's attractions in the global market. The emphasis on customer requests, guest experience optimization, and market demands places this within a GTM operations context.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and develop innovative and engaging layouts for AquaPlay and AquaForms, prioritizing guest experience, operational performance, and safety in response to customer requests.

• Generate compelling theming designs and apply customer-specific color combinations for play structures and waterpark equipment, collaborating with product development, creative teams, and clients to align with park aesthetics and brand IP.

• Integrate and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Product Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Marketing, to ensure design feasibility, manufacturability, and market readiness from concept to completion.

• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and material innovations within the aquatic play and amusement park sectors to drive product enhancement and modernization.

• Assist in the development and refinement of design guidelines and standards to streamline the design process, maintain brand consistency, and ensure efficient production workflows.

• Support the Project Services department by clearly communicating design intent to project designers and engineers, ensuring accurate translation of concepts into manufactured outcomes.

• Proactively manage multiple design projects, tight schedules, timelines, and established processes within a fast-paced, time-conscious office environment.

• Execute responsibilities with a strong emphasis on respect, effective communication, consideration, and cooperation, fostering a collaborative team dynamic.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of creative design and technical execution, common in GTM product development roles. The emphasis on "optimizing guest experience, operational performance, and safety" and "responding to customer requests" indicates a strong customer-centric approach that is crucial for GTM success. The need to "ensure design feasibility and market readiness" further solidifies this connection.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a design, technical, or engineering role, preferably within the aquatic play or amusement park industry.

Required Skills:

• SolidWorks Proficiency: Essential for 3D modeling, part design, assembly, and creating detailed technical drawings for complex play structures and attractions.

• AutoCAD Proficiency: Critical for 2D drafting, layout design, and integration with manufacturing processes.

• Conceptual Design: Ability to generate creative and innovative ideas for play structures, theming, and user experiences.

• Theming Integration: Skill in developing and integrating aesthetic themes that enhance the overall guest experience and align with project requirements.

• Color Theory & Application: Understanding and application of color principles to create visually appealing and contextually appropriate designs for attractions.

• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, meet tight deadlines, and adhere to established processes in a fast-paced environment.

• Technical Design & Manufacturing Knowledge: Understanding of materials (steel, fiberglass), manufacturing processes, and safety standards relevant to aquatic play structures and attractions.

• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse internal teams and external clients.

• Problem-Solving: Strong critical-thinking and analytical skills to identify and resolve design challenges creatively and efficiently.

Preferred Skills:

• 3D Visualization Tools: Experience with software such as 3ds Max, SketchUp, Rhino, Maya, Keyshot, Lumion, or Unreal Engine for advanced rendering and presentation.

• Adobe Creative Suite: Proficiency in tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for graphic design, image editing, and presentation materials.

• Graphic Design or 3D Animation: Experience in these areas to enhance visual communication of design concepts.

• Knowledge of Steel and Fiberglass Manufacturing Processes: Deeper understanding of fabrication techniques for improved design feasibility and cost-effectiveness.

• Safety Standards: In-depth knowledge of relevant safety standards for aquatic play structures and amusement attractions.

• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to inspire, mentor, or lead junior team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on specific software like SolidWorks and AutoCAD, coupled with the requirement for a strong portfolio showcasing aquatic play structures, indicates a need for highly specialized technical and creative skills. The preference for experience in the aquatic play or amusement park industry signifies the importance of domain-specific knowledge for this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Conceptual Design Showcase: A selection of projects demonstrating innovative ideation for play structures, attractions, or themed environments. This should include initial sketches, mood boards, and conceptual renderings.

• Technical Design Execution: Examples of detailed 3D models (SolidWorks) and 2D technical drawings (AutoCAD) for manufactured products, highlighting complexity and precision.

• Theming & Color Integration: Case studies illustrating the successful integration of themes and color schemes into play structures, showing how aesthetics were enhanced to meet client briefs.

• Process Flow Documentation: If applicable, brief explanations or visual representations of the design process followed for key projects, demonstrating structured workflow and problem-solving approaches.

• Client-Specific Adaptations: Projects that show how designs were tailored to meet specific client requests, site constraints, or brand requirements, demonstrating adaptability and customer focus.

Process Documentation:

• Design Workflow: Ability to articulate and document the design process from initial client brief to final production-ready documentation, including stages of concept development, technical design, and cross-functional review.

• Revision Management: Understanding of and ability to document processes for managing design revisions, feedback incorporation, and version control.

• Collaboration Protocols: Experience in documenting and adhering to protocols for inter-departmental collaboration, ensuring clear communication channels with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Marketing.

• Quality Assurance Checks: Familiarity with or ability to contribute to documentation for design checks, ensuring alignment with safety standards, manufacturing capabilities, and client specifications.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Technologist role, a robust portfolio is paramount. It needs to showcase not just creative output but also the technical proficiency and process-driven approach required to bring complex attractions to life. The emphasis should be on demonstrating how designs translate into tangible, safe, and engaging products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive benefits package typically including medical, dental, and vision insurance, crucial for supporting employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings: Potential for a company-sponsored retirement savings plan (e.g., RRSP matching), aiding in long-term financial planning.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation time, paid holidays, and sick leave, allowing for work-life balance and personal well-being.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and potentially support for certifications or further education to enhance technical and design skills.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access to confidential counseling and support services for personal and professional challenges.

• Company-Specific Perks: Potential for access to company facilities, product discounts, or team-building events that foster a positive work environment.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours are typically 40 hours per week. The role requires a self-starter with the ability to work independently in a time-conscious office environment, implying a need for efficient time management within these hours. Flexibility may be available, but the core expectation is consistent availability during business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Design Technologist with 5-10 years of experience in the Richmond, BC area. Cost of living in Metro Vancouver is relatively high, making this range appropriate. Benefits are standard for full-time roles in Canadian companies, with specific details likely to be provided during the interview process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Amusement & Recreation / Manufacturing (Waterpark Equipment and Attractions)

Company Size: WhiteWater West is a significant player in its niche, likely falling into the medium to large enterprise category (500-1000+ employees globally, based on typical industry structures). This size implies established processes, a structured environment, and opportunities for specialization.

Founded: WhiteWater was founded in 1980, indicating a long history of innovation and stability in the design and manufacturing of water attractions, which translates to deep industry expertise and a strong reputation.

Team Structure:

• Operations Focus: This role is within the "Architecture" department, reporting to the Director of Design. This suggests a core team focused on the creative and technical aspects of attraction design, working closely with other operational departments.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role explicitly mentions collaboration with Product Development, Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Project Services. This indicates a highly integrated GTM and product lifecycle approach.

• Expertise Diversity: The company culture values a "diverse group of experts, from creative designers to talented engineers," emphasizing learning from each other to achieve a common purpose.

Methodology:

• Customer-Centric Design: The company emphasizes listening to client needs, collaborating on solutions, and problem-solving, forming the core of their service business.

• Innovation & Trends: A commitment to staying current with industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve and modernize offerings.

• Process & Standards: Development and adherence to design guidelines and standards to maintain consistency and streamline workflows.

Company Website: https://www.whitewaterwest.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: WhiteWater West's emphasis on being a "people business" and valuing collaboration suggests a supportive yet performance-driven environment. The long company history indicates a stable employer with deep domain knowledge, attractive for professionals seeking long-term career growth in a specialized industry.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as a Senior Technical Designer or Design Technologist, indicating a mid-to-senior level position. It requires significant independent contribution, project leadership, and specialized technical skills, moving beyond entry-level design tasks.

Reporting Structure: The Design Technologist reports to the Director of Design. This provides direct access to leadership for strategic input and project oversight, with opportunities to influence design direction. The role also requires collaboration with various department heads and project managers.

Operations Impact: The Design Technologist's work directly impacts WhiteWater's Go-To-Market success by:

• Product Innovation: Developing engaging and novel play structures that attract customers and differentiate WhiteWater in the market.

• Customer Satisfaction: Translating client requests into feasible and aesthetically pleasing designs, leading to successful project delivery and repeat business.

• Operational Efficiency: Contributing to design standards and feasible designs that optimize manufacturing processes and reduce production costs.

• Brand Reputation: Ensuring high-quality, safe, and visually appealing attractions that reinforce WhiteWater's reputation as a leader in the industry.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific design software (e.g., advanced SolidWorks surfacing, complex 3D rendering) or manufacturing processes.

• Leadership Development: Progress into roles like Senior Design Technologist, Lead Designer, or even Design Manager, mentoring junior staff and leading larger design initiatives.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Transition into roles within Product Development, Project Management, or even Sales Engineering, leveraging design expertise in different operational capacities.

• Industry Influence: Become a subject matter expert in waterpark attraction design, potentially contributing to industry standards or speaking engagements.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth within a specialized industry. The blend of technical design and creative problem-solving makes it attractive for individuals looking to build a long-term career in attraction design and development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Richmond, BC, Canada, and is designated as on-site, suggesting a traditional office environment within the company's headquarters or a design studio. While the description emphasizes collaboration and a time-conscious office, it does not explicitly mention hybrid arrangements, implying a primary on-site presence.

Office Location(s): Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. This location offers access to a major metropolitan area with amenities and a skilled talent pool.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The workspace is designed to foster collaboration, with teams working together on complex projects. Expect shared design studios, meeting rooms, and potentially informal interaction spaces.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to high-performance workstations equipped with industry-standard design software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, visualization tools) is expected.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with fellow designers, engineers, product managers, and project leads, facilitating knowledge sharing and problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is likely Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week. Given the "time-conscious office environment" and the nature of project deadlines, occasional flexibility or overtime may be required to meet project milestones. The company culture values respect and cooperation, suggesting a balance where possible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site designation is key here. While some companies offer hybrid flexibility, the primary expectation for this role appears to be in-office presence, which is common for hands-on design and collaborative work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a recruiter will likely review applications and resumes, focusing on essential qualifications and experience.

• Technical Assessment/Portfolio Review: A key stage will involve a thorough review of the candidate's portfolio. Expect to present and discuss specific projects, detailing your design process, technical contributions, and problem-solving approaches. This may include a technical test or a design challenge.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Director of Design to assess technical expertise, creative vision, cultural fit, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with members from Engineering, Product Development, or Project Services to evaluate collaboration skills and ability to work effectively across departments.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to confirm fit and discuss final terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best represent your skills in conceptualization, technical design, theming, and collaboration, with a preference for those related to play structures or attractions.

• Detail Your Process: For each project, clearly articulate your role, the problem you solved, your design approach, the software used, technical challenges overcome, and the final outcome or impact.

• Showcase Technical Proficiency: Highlight your proficiency in SolidWorks and AutoCAD through detailed models and drawings. If you have visualization tools experience, include compelling renderings.

• Emphasize Collaboration & Client Focus: Demonstrate how you incorporated feedback, collaborated with teams, and met client specificities.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics or qualitative descriptions to show the success of your designs (e.g., "resulted in a 15% increase in customer engagement," "met all safety compliance requirements").

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Problem-Solving: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge related to creating a new play feature or adapting an existing structure. Focus on your thought process, problem-solving methodology, and ability to articulate design choices.

• Technical Software Skills: Brush up on SolidWorks and AutoCAD functionalities, especially those relevant to complex assemblies and detailed drawings.

• Industry Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with current trends in waterpark attractions, safety regulations, and common materials used in the industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to not only show their work but also to explain the "why" and "how" behind their design decisions, demonstrating strategic thinking and technical expertise.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SolidWorks: Essential for parametric 3D modeling, assembly design, and creating detailed manufacturing drawings for complex play structures and attractions. Proficiency in surfacing, complex assemblies, and detailing is expected.

• AutoCAD: Critical for 2D drafting, layout design, site plans, and integration with manufacturing documentation. Experience with architectural or mechanical drafting standards is beneficial.

• 3D Visualization Tools (Asset): Software such as 3ds Max, SketchUp, Rhino, Maya, Keyshot, Lumion, or Unreal Engine for creating photorealistic renderings, animations, and immersive presentations of designs.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

Other Potential Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Asset): Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign for graphic design, branding elements, presentation materials, and image manipulation.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools like MS Project, Asana, or similar for tracking project timelines and tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical requirement centers around SolidWorks and AutoCAD. Experience with 3D visualization and graphic design tools is a significant asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate and sell their designs.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accountability: "We do what we say." This translates to reliability in meeting deadlines, delivering on design commitments, and taking ownership of one's work.

• Collaboration: "We work well together." This emphasizes teamwork, open communication, and a willingness to support colleagues across departments to achieve common goals.

• Customer Focus: "We know and respond to our customers." This means understanding client needs, translating them into effective designs, and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the design and delivery process.

• Communication: "We listen to and understand each other." This highlights the importance of active listening, clear articulation of ideas, and respectful dialogue within the team and with stakeholders.

• Authenticity: "We are honest and trust each other." Fosters an environment of transparency, integrity, and mutual respect.

• Resilience: "We deal effectively with pressure, are persistent and optimistic." Essential for navigating tight deadlines and complex project challenges in a dynamic industry.

• Flexibility & Adaptability: "We are willing and able to respond to changing circumstances." Crucial for adapting to new project requirements, client feedback, or evolving industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Design Process: The company fosters a collaborative environment where design is not isolated but integrated with engineering, manufacturing, and marketing from the outset.

• Feedback Culture: Expect open exchange of ideas and constructive feedback during design reviews and project meetings.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encouragement of sharing best practices, technical insights, and lessons learned to elevate the entire team's capabilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: WhiteWater West's stated values are strongly aligned with effective GTM and product development operations. The emphasis on collaboration, customer focus, and accountability are key indicators of a healthy and productive work environment for a Design Technologist.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity with Technical Constraints: Effectively translating imaginative concepts into designs that are feasible within manufacturing capabilities, safety standards, and budget limitations.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating and reconciling the varied needs and preferences of clients, internal departments (engineering, manufacturing), and market demands simultaneously.

• Rapidly Evolving Industry Trends: Staying ahead of and incorporating new technologies, materials, and aesthetic trends in the highly competitive amusement and waterpark industry.

• Working Under Tight Deadlines: Consistently delivering high-quality designs within demanding project schedules, requiring efficient time management and prioritization.

• Global Project Diversity: Adapting designs to suit different cultural contexts, climates, and regulatory environments across various international projects.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Software Training: Opportunities to master advanced features of SolidWorks, explore new visualization software, or gain proficiency in related design tools.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Potential to attend relevant trade shows (e.g., IAAPA Expo) or specialized design/engineering workshops to stay updated on industry best practices and networking.

• Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to be mentored by senior designers or directors, and to mentor junior designers, developing leadership and project management skills.

• Product Development Involvement: Deeper engagement in the product development lifecycle, contributing to the ideation and refinement of new attraction concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents stimulating challenges for a designer who enjoys complex problem-solving and creative application within a well-defined operational framework. The growth opportunities are substantial for those who excel and seek to expand their expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance creative vision with significant technical or budget constraints. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on problem-solving, compromise, and technical understanding.)

• "Walk us through a complex design project from concept to completion. What was your specific role, what were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Prepare a case study from your portfolio, detailing your process, software usage, and impact.)

• "How do you stay current with emerging trends in waterpark attractions and design technologies?" (Demonstrate proactivity, industry awareness, and a passion for continuous learning.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about WhiteWater West and our role in the amusement/waterpark industry?" (Research the company's recent projects, values, and market position.)

• "How would you describe your ideal collaborative environment, and how do you contribute to a positive team dynamic?" (Align your answer with WhiteWater's stated values of collaboration and respect.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Structure your portfolio presentation around compelling narratives for each project, highlighting the problem, your solution, and the results.

• Showcase Technical Depth: Be ready to demonstrate your skills in SolidWorks and AutoCAD live, or through detailed screenshots/walkthroughs. Explain your modeling techniques and why you chose certain approaches.

• Explain Theming Choices: Justify your color schemes and thematic elements, linking them back to client briefs, target audiences, and brand identity.

• Highlight Collaboration: For each project, specify how you interacted with other teams and stakeholders.

• Be Concise and Focused: Respect the interviewer's time; aim for clear, impactful presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating not just design talent but also strong problem-solving skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to collaborate effectively within a structured, results-oriented environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Technologist position:

• Submit your application: Navigate to the WhiteWater West careers page and submit your resume and cover letter through their online portal.

• Curate your Portfolio: Select and organize your most relevant design projects. Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your skills in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, conceptual design, and theming, with a strong emphasis on aquatic play or amusement attractions. Prepare a digital version (PDF or online link) for submission or review.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and skills directly relevant to the job description, using keywords such as "SolidWorks," "AutoCAD," "conceptual design," "theming," "aquatic play," and "project management." Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your design process, technical approach, and problem-solving strategies. Be ready to discuss specific projects in detail during interviews, focusing on your contributions and the impact of your work.

• Research WhiteWater West: Familiarize yourself with their current projects, company values, and their position in the waterpark and attraction industry to demonstrate genuine interest and cultural alignment.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.