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Junior Lighting Designer Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Junior Lighting Designer information

See Appleton, WI salary details

$30.2K

$55.3K

$83.9K

How much do junior lighting designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior lighting designer in Appleton, WI is $55,321.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,400.00 and $63,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a junior lighting designer do?

A Junior Lighting Designer assists in creating lighting concepts and plans for various projects, such as theaters, events, or architectural spaces. They typically work under the supervision of senior designers, helping with tasks like drafting lighting plots, selecting equipment, and setting up lighting systems. Junior Lighting Designers also collaborate with other team members, attend site visits, and may help during installations and rehearsals. This role is ideal for those who are starting their career in lighting design and want to gain hands-on experience while learning from established professionals.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a junior lighting designer?

To thrive as a Junior Lighting Designer, you need a solid understanding of lighting principles, basic design techniques, and a relevant degree such as in lighting design, architecture, or theatre production. Familiarity with lighting design software (such as AutoCAD, Revit, and DIALux), photometric analysis tools, and possibly LEED accreditation is often expected. Strong communication, teamwork, and creativity help you collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, and clients while developing innovative lighting solutions. These skills and qualifications are crucial to deliver visually compelling and technically sound lighting designs that meet project requirements and industry standards.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a junior lighting designer expect in their first year?

As a Junior Lighting Designer, you can expect to work on a variety of projects, including supporting senior designers on commercial, residential, or entertainment lighting schemes. Your daily tasks may involve creating CAD drawings, preparing presentations, conducting lighting calculations, and assisting with site visits or mock-ups. You'll often collaborate with architects, engineers, and clients to ensure design intent is maintained. The role provides valuable hands-on experience and mentorship, helping you build technical knowledge and grow within a multidisciplinary team.

What is the difference between Junior Lighting Designer vs Lighting Technician?

AspectJunior Lighting DesignerLighting Technician
Required CredentialsDegree in lighting design, architecture, or related fieldTechnical training or certification, hands-on experience
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, theaters, event productionsOn-site at venues, event setups, live productions
Employer & Industry UsageArchitectural firms, theater companies, event organizersProduction companies, theaters, live event companies

The Junior Lighting Designer focuses on creating lighting plans and concepts, working closely with designers and clients. In contrast, the Lighting Technician handles the technical setup, operation, and maintenance of lighting equipment during productions. Both roles require technical knowledge, but the Junior Lighting Designer emphasizes design skills, while the Lighting Technician emphasizes technical execution.

What job categories do people searching Junior Lighting Designer jobs in Appleton, WI look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Lighting Designer jobs in Appleton, WI are:

What cities near Appleton, WI are hiring for Junior Lighting Designer jobs?

Cities near Appleton, WI with the most Junior Lighting Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Lighting Designer job openings in Appleton, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $55,321 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Distribution Designer - Wisconsin

Atwell, LLC

Appleton, WI • Hybrid

$25 - $50/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Atwell rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 450 rated engineering


Job description

Who We Are

Atwell, LLC is a bold leader in the consulting, engineering, and construction services industry, delivering a broad range of creative solutions to clients in the real estate & land development, and energy markets. We have a strong national presence and a diverse, award-winning project portfolio. Atwell is a privately owned company, with 2,000+ passionate team members across 75+ locations and growing!

Atwell, LLC is a proud recipient of the following 2025 awards:

  • Ten consecutive years in a row as a "Best Place to Work" by Zweig Group (#11)
  • Recognized as #70 in the ENR Top 500 Design Firms, ranked in every region
  • Recognized in Crain's "Fast 50" as one of the fastest-growing companies (#14)
  • Recognized as the 2025 ENR Design Firm of the year for the Southeastern US

Position Overview:

As a Distribution Designer at Atwell, you will play a crucial role in supporting project teams through meticulous design work on both overhead and underground distribution electrical facilities. This position involves addressing intricate engineering challenges across a variety of projects, working with electric utilities and private developers.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Distribution Overhead lines:
    • Pole replacement, PCB transformer replacements, large infrastructure projects and line expansions.
    • Distribution generation, line refurbishment, and new construction (wood and composite poles).
  • Grid Modernization: Smart switches & battery storage:
    • Switch replacements, internal line conversions, rebuilds, voltage conversions and major projects.
  • Distribution Underground lines:
    • Replacement of underground feeders including but not limited to identifying splicing, installation of vaults, kiosks, and switch gears.
    • Designs including overhead to underground transitions.
  • New Customer connections
    • Subdivision design
    • Street lighting
    • Upgrade work on existing customer connections
  • Design overhead and underground distribution electrical facilities and also work on projects including but not limited to: system improvement pole locations, substation design, and service design.
  • Address engineering challenges on diverse projects of varying sizes and scopes.
  • Collaborate with electric utilities and private developers.
  • Provide additional project support by drafting documents and computations and local permit applications.
  • Maintain a keen focus on precision, sense of urgency, and technical expertise.
  • Verify as-built conditions in GIS/AUD so that any identified discrepancies with field data are corrected as part of engineering submissions.

Qualifications:

  • Strong knowledge of NESC, PENG (overhead and underground) and client requirements.
  • Design experience working on distribution, transmission, system improvement projects, substation design, service design, and/or switch replacements.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD is required.
  • Familiarity with engineering design software applications, such as PLS CADD, PLS POLE, SPIDACalc, Quick Pole, CDEGS, CYMECAP, CYMEDIST, CYMETCC, SAG10, O-Calc (as specified by the purchaser).

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

  • Apply problem-solving abilities for large utility clients.
  • Utilize and learn engineering software packages for distribution design.
  • Communicate effectively with Project Manager and Team Leader on workload status to meet chargeability goals.
  • Perform site-visits, walk-downs, and provide design support to field workers

Preferred Experience:

  • Strong math and engineering skills, including structural analysis, sag analysis, basic algebra, and geometry.
  • Knowledge of Rural Utilities Service (RUS) standards
  • Working experience in the field of electric distribution, natural gas distribution, substation, and/or communications (i.e. fiber).
  • DDS (Distribution Design Studio) experience is preferred.
  • AUD (Automated Utility Design) experience is a bonus.

**This position will be remote 2+ days a week and also reporting to Green Bay office 2x a week. Candidate must be in the Wisconsin market. Ideal areas include Green Bay, Wausau, Milwaukee, and Madison for client-facing travel.**

Pay Range - $25.00 - $50.00 base, + Bonus.

Disclaimer

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you.

Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

#LI-TK1

Atwell Benefits: To attract and retain the best professionals in the industry, we aim to provide an excellent working environment and a progressive benefits program designed to support your personal and professional needs.

Work/Life:

  • Generous Paid Time Off
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Flexible work schedules are available for some positions
  • Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to see the world based on your travel preferences

Compensation:

  • Competitive Compensation packages
  • Annual bonuses, spot bonuses and peer recognition awards
  • 401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Student Loan Repayment
  • Paid Licensing / Certification Fees and Renewals
  • Financial Rewards for Obtaining Licensure
  • Employee Referrals
  • Annual Wellness Reimbursement for anything wellness related (Gym memberships, fitness tracker, home gym equipment, etc.)
  • Dependent Care Match

'Atwell'ness:

  • Medical (BC/BS), Dental (Delta), and Vision (VSP)
  • Family Planning & IVF Benefits
  • Pet Insurance
  • Health Savings Account & Flex Spending Account options
  • Employer paid LTD, STD, and life insurance
  • Metlife Supplemental Benefits covering accident, hospitalization, and critical illness
  • Member Assistance Program (MAP) with complimentary counseling sessions, legal benefits, financial consultations, and work/life referral services

What Atwell employees say

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