At Falcon’s Attractions, every ride tells a story, and behind every story is a team of passionate experts bringing bold ideas to life. One of those experts is our Senior Project Manager Sarah Ward, whose project management skills and engineering expertise have been a key to project success.
Sarah Ward
From Engineering Roots to Project Leadership
Sarah’s path to Falcon’s Attractions is grounded in a rich foundation of engineering and real-world industry experience. Right after getting her degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology, she began her career at Ford, where she participated in a training program that exposed her to every side of the business, from supplier operations to manufacturing, assembly, and sales. That early, holistic view of how products come to life would shape her approach for years to come.
She later joined Caterpillar, a company deeply tied to her family roots, where she worked on some of the world’s largest and most complex machinery. Starting as a process planner in Decatur, Illinois, she moved into hydraulics engineering, applying her technical expertise to real-world systems, including designing the air and hydraulic systems for the massive Caterpillar 797 mining truck, whose tires stand an impressive 13 feet tall. From there, she naturally transitioned into project management, where she has spent more than two decades leading teams and delivering results.
That experience eventually led her to Oceaneering Entertainment Systems (OES), where she joined as a Systems Engineer before once again gravitating toward project leadership.
“I’ve been doing project management for more than 20 years,” Sarah explains. “It’s just how I work. I am a project manager, but I will get in there and work with the team because I have that engineering knowledge.”
Today, she brings that depth and versatility to Falcon’s Attractions, guiding projects from concept to completion. She coordinates cross-functional teams, manages change, and ensures every detail aligns, drawing on both her technical expertise and her ability to lead complex, collaborative efforts.
Speaking the Language of Engineering and Beyond
One of Sarah’s greatest strengths is her engineering background, which allows her to bridge communication gaps across teams.
“I can speak engineer,” she says. “I can translate technical details into everyday language and back again. That makes everything flow easier.”
And in a multidisciplinary environment like Falcon’s Attractions, translation matters. Mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers all approach problems differently, and clear communication keeps projects moving forward smoothly.
Beyond communication, Sarah’s technical expertise allows her to stay hands-on when needed, reviewing engineering drawings, supporting documentation, and helping teams solve complex challenges.
Collaboration That Multiplies Impact
Sarah describes teamwork with a simple but powerful idea:
“1 + 1 equals 3.”
When individuals collaborate, the results go far beyond what each could achieve alone. That principle has only grown stronger with the integration of Falcon’s Creative Group.
“Falcon’s Attractions and Falcon’s Creative Group together become giants,” Sarah explains. “We can deliver full-service experiences from concept to completion.”
We’re proud to offer clients a seamless process, with experts from design to engineering, all in-house at Falcon’s.
The Magic Moment
For Sarah, the most rewarding part of the job comes at the very end of the process.
“It’s seeing a ride vehicle come off the line, running on the test track,” she says. “But even better is riding it after installation, and best of all is watching guests experience it.”
That moment when guests step off a ride smiling, is what makes it all worthwhile.
“It’s magic. There’s no other word for it.”
Engineering the Extraordinary
From engineering details to team leadership, Sarah Ward plays a vital role in bringing attractions to life. Her ability to connect people, adapt to change, and maintain a clear vision is what turns complex projects into unforgettable experiences.
“I’ve achieved my dream,” she reflects. “I’m making magic every day, and I love it.”
At Falcon’s Attractions, stories like Sarah’s highlight what truly powers our work: passionate people, strong collaboration, and a commitment to creating world-class experiences, from concept to completion.
