Freelance Concert Lighting Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Livewire Entertainment Media Services, LLC

Position: Lighting Designer

FTE: 1.0 | Exempt

Location: Fargo, North Dakota

Requires travel: Yes; company vehicle provided

Opening: Immediate

Last revised: 2026-08

Livewire, a company committed to producing world-class events of all shapes and sizes with a deep-seated respect and commitment to the growth of arts in the communities we serve, is hiring for a full-time Lighting Designer.

Livewire, established in 1999, is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota and serves clients throughout the Upper Midwest and around the country.

Livewire believes that enjoying what you do is the key to doing it well. So, as an equal-opportunity employer, we are looking for employees who will take pleasure in the hard work of producing world-class events of all shapes and sizes, and take pride in the results.

If you are committed to the satisfaction of our clients and their guests, we will be committed to helping you grow and learn within our organization.

As a member of the Livewire team, you’ll be at the forefront of producing creative and engaging world-class events throughout the Upper Midwest that are “what people talk about” when they get home.

Brief Description: The Lighting Designer position is responsible for overseeing that all events produced by Livewire, large and small, are equipped with appropriate in-house and sub-rented stage and atmospheric lighting fixtures and control equipment, as well as appropriate power components to power lighting, video, audio, rigging, and scenic elements as necessary.

This position often requires travel outside of Fargo, North Dakota across the Upper Midwest and throughout the country. As this position is deeply involved in the production of live events, which are often dictated by the schedules of clients, venues, and elements outside of our control, this position often requires late nights, early mornings and work on the weekends. In turn, we do all we can to offer very flexible scheduling.

Duties include:

• Be a contributing member of your team! Maintain a positive, can-do attitude, and encourage and help teammates to be their most successful.
• Work with Clients, Project Managers and Technical Directors to understand their vision and needs, as well as to work out any potential problems related to space and special effects.
• Create floor layouts and 3-D renderings of events, sometimes prior to booking, to assist in client visualization.
• Attend client meetings as appropriate.
• Work with venue contacts to determine power needs, costs and requirements.
• Assist in scenic design process.
• Determine best lighting design for the event/show considering script, location, and any needed special effects.
• Source and locate additional equipment for rental or purchase as needed/directed using our extensive list of vendor partners, and any contacts you might bring to the table.
• Work with Operations Team to communicate budgetary needs.
• Develop lighting/rigging/stage plot and produce instrument sheets showing instrument numbers, dimmer numbers, circuit numbers, focus areas, and gel colors.
• Work with and direct crew to hang, focus and gel all lighting instruments.
• Collaborate with other departments on the job site by assisting with their projects if you are at a stand-still.
• Write cue sheets describing cues and cue numbers, cross-referenced to page numbers in script/show flow documents.
• Program all cues into light console; set light levels and cue fade times, program moving lights, LEDs, etc.
• Run cue-to-cue technical rehearsal.

Requirements/Preferred Considerations (please include appropriate examples in your application materials):

• Trustworthy, self-motivated, self-starting, individual.
• Familiarity with at least one of the following lighting console languages: ETC, MA, Hog, Chamsys
• Able to economically and effectively implement the use of light, in coordination with other media, to create engaging, energizing environments for corporate, concert and theatrical events of all sizes.
• Proven experience with industry standards in rigging/trussing applications and event power applications.
• State-issued electrician’s license is a plus, but not a requirement.
• Proven knowledge of classic and modern conventional, automated, and LED-based fixtures.
• 2 years Vectorworks, CAD, or WYSIWYG experience (WYSIWYG strongly preferred).
• Strong computer and Internet skills desired.
• Multi-tasking and ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends.
• Current driver's license and ability to get to/from office easily.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) a plus, but not preferred.
• Able to see projects through from concept to completion.
• Able to climb a ladder, use scissor/articulating lifts, and do some heavy lifting (equipment related).
• Forklift certification a plus.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented, collaborative environment, balancing input and making the best decision(s) for all involved.

Pay/Benefits: Annual pay determined on experience. Range: $55,000-$80,000/year

• (80) Hours, ARTS time: All team members are encouraged to participate in and support non-profit/educational theatre, dance, music or arts initiatives in the communities we serve. ARTS time can be utilized anytime throughout a 365-day period upon approval.
• (15) days paid time off
• (5) paid sick days
• Lodging and meals for out-of-town production work.
• Company vehicles are usually provided, in which case all fuel is paid. If for some reason this is not an option, mileage is paid at the current federal rate when using a personal vehicle.
• Company-provided laptop, workspace and deals on SWAG!

How To Apply:

• Please submit your Cover Letter, CV/Resume, list of (3) references and any supplemental materials you wish to provide via this platform.

Questions? Send us a message through our website at www.livewirenow.com.

Thank you for your interest!