At its annual ceremony on Friday, June 15, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) named William Gorlin, SE, PE, McLaren Engineering Group’s vice president and entertainment division chief, as Engineer of the Year. The award recognizes a professional engineer who has made an outstanding contribution through educational, collegiate and engineering achievements; professional society, technical society, civic and humanitarian activities; and displaying continuing competence.
With experience that includes some of the world’s largest live theaters, concert touring sets and amusement attractions, Gorlin is among the top global experts in entertainment engineering. His preeminent projects include the Dancing Cranes in Singapore, the world’s largest animatronic structure; the two flying stages for Cirque du Soleil’s Ka at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas; work at theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld; and productions and/or renovations in several Broadway theaters in New York.
Most recently, Gorlin led a team that fully renovated the antique Helen Hayes Theater and its neighboring St. James Theater on West 44th Street in New York as one unified project. He also led substantial renovations and alterations at the Lyric Theater on West 43rd Street.
Gorlin graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in structural engineering.