Great guest experiences rely on more than just great ideas; they rely on technology that works consistently. As Software Solutions Architect at Vantage, Eric Dunaway helps turn complex technical challenges into solutions, working closely with engineering teams to build a platform designed around the needs of operators and guests alike. Having worked with Vantage since its early days, he’s seen the platform evolve firsthand and continues to help shape what’s next.
We caught up with Eric to learn more about his journey into software engineering, what keeps him excited about guest experience technology, and why no two days are ever quite the same.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in southwest Louisiana and joined the military when I was 18. It was 2003, and with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq underway, that played a big part in my decision. I had also started studying computer science, but the military offered me a different path forward.
After nearly 11 years of service, I returned to computer science and eventually joined a consulting company through an apprenticeship program. That gave me the opportunity to work directly on real-world software projects and work alongside experienced engineers. From there, I quickly progressed into a technical lead role, taking on greater responsibility for system design, technical direction, and helping teams solve increasingly complex problems.
How did you find your way to Vantage?
I started working with Vantage through the consulting company I joined after returning to computer science. I’ve been involved with the team since 2018, when Vantage began its work with Island H2O Water Park in Florida. Over the years, my role grew along with the platform, from contributing as an engineer to taking on more technical leadership and helping guide larger parts of the system.
After several years supporting the project as a consultant, the company I worked for was sold during COVID, so joining Vantage directly felt like a natural next step. I came onto the team full time at the end of 2021. Having worked with the platform for so long, I’ve had the opportunity to understand not only how it works today, but how and why it has evolved over time.
What does your role as Software Solutions Architect involve?
A big part of my role is providing technical direction across our engineering teams and helping turn complex product and business requirements into solutions that are scalable over the long term. That often means looking beyond an individual feature and thinking about how different parts of the platform need to work together, where we need to invest, and what decisions will give our teams the strongest foundation to build on.
In 2025, I guided the engineering team responsible for a major build-out of our core platform, helping establish technical direction and work through the architectural decisions needed to support where Vantage was headed next.
Today, I continue to work across engineering teams on architecture, technical strategy, and complex technical challenges, while also keeping a strong focus on platform reliability. Every day brings something different, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role.
What excites you most about working at Vantage?
One thing I always like to point out is that I don’t really think of Vantage as an attractions company; we’re focused on guest experience. Whether it’s a water park, theme park, family entertainment center, zoo, or another type of venue, the goal is always the same: helping operators deliver better experiences for their guests. That broader perspective makes the work incredibly interesting because we’re solving problems that apply across many different industries.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
The variety. Because Vantage supports such a broad range of guest experience solutions, every project brings a new challenge. We’re not focused on just one area like ticketing or payments. We work across multiple parts of the guest journey, which means there’s always something new to learn and another interesting problem to solve.
Is there a feature you’re particularly excited about?
I’m looking forward to continuing to expand how guests interact with venues. One area I’m excited about is the potential for richer park and venue map experiences. There’s a lot of opportunity to make navigation, wayfinding, and exploration more intuitive, and I think that’s an area with a lot of potential.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Most of my free time is spent with family and friends, or with a good book. I read a lot of science fiction, fantasy, and military fiction. I used to spend more time playing video games, but these days I spend enough time keeping up with technology that reading has become my main way to unwind.
If you could instantly become an expert in one thing, what would it be?
Psychology. I think understanding how people think would not only be fascinating, but it would also help us create even better guest experiences.
Thank you, Eric, for sharing your journey with us! While every team member brings a different background and perspective, they all share the same goal: helping attractions deliver exceptional guest experiences through smarter, connected technology.
Meet the people behind Vantage at www.vantage.co/meet-our-team
