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Junior Lighting Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lighting Designer III

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

Work with junior staff to assign tasks on projects. * Design lighting and control systems for healthcare, education and commercial clients. Analyze lighting and engineering documents and layout ...

... junior designers. The ideal candidate is a creative, technically skilled, and client-focused ... Lead lighting designer for complex projects across various markets (e.g., education, government ...

Lighting Practice Leader

Virginia Beach, VA ยท On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

... junior designers. The ideal candidate is a creative, technically skilled, and client-focused ... Lead lighting designer for complex projects across various markets (e.g., education, government ...

... junior designers. The ideal candidate is a creative, technically skilled, and client-focused ... Lead lighting designer for complex projects across various markets (e.g., education, government ...

Showing results 21-40

Junior Lighting Designer information

See salary details

$31K

$56.7K

$86K

How much do junior lighting designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior lighting designer in the United States is $56,698.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $65,500.00 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.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Lighting Designer jobs?

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Infographic showing various Junior Lighting Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $56,698 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

Lead Lighting Designer

San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$91K - $122K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

The Opportunity

PAE/LUMA is looking for a visionary and highly organized Lead Lighting Designer to join our award-winning lighting studio in San Francisco. As a lead, you will be the driving force behind the design direction and technical execution of lighting systems that harmonize architecture with the human experience. This role is designed for a professional who is ready to move beyond design production into a leadership position, overseeing project lifecycles and mentoring a talented team of designers. In this role, you will represent the LUMA brand as a primary point of contact for internal MEP teams and external clients. You will be responsible for creating project workplans, leading cross-trade coordination, and ensuring that lighting designs are not only beautiful but also code-compliant, budget-conscious, and perfectly detailed. From high-level conceptual graphics in Adobe Creative Suite to complex Revit modeling and on-site construction reviews, your leadership will be the thread that connects a project's initial spark to its final, illuminated reality.

Who We Areย 

PAE is an engineering and design firm that turns complex challenges into reality. By leveraging the latest technologies, we solve problems in unique ways, and our designs enable buildings and communities to be more resilient and efficient.ย PAE is trusted by our clients in every aspect of a project's lifespan, from idea to occupancy. We set ambitious goals backed by analysis to significantly conserve water and energy while balancing costs and long-term operational needs.ย As a B Corp, we measure success by the benefits our projects provide to our clients, our communities, and our planet. We embrace innovation, transparency, sustainability, and lifelong curiosity.


What You'll Do

  • Lead the design direction and execution of the lighting design under the direction of the EOR/DOR
  • Lead meetings with internal and external team members representing PAE under the LUMA brand
  • Develop skills to create project workplans, tasks and assignments for the team
  • Lead and support development and production of the lighting control design
  • Mentor junior staff in design, production and calculations
  • Perform lighting calculations, design communication graphics, REVIT production and mock-ups
  • Write lighting product specifications, create luminaire schedule, and demonstrate an understanding of advanced product research approaches
  • Gain experience in technical detailing of lighting systems
  • Facilitate project design and construction phases
  • Support the project lighting cost control
  • Lead cross trade coordination of lighting and lighting control systems
  • Lead construction phase reviews of submittals and RFIs and attend site visits
  • Participate in lighting industry organizations and events to build supporting relationships and knowledge
  • Model accountability as an integral member of the design teams in which you are involved
  • Perform other duties as assignedย 

What You Bring

  • College Degree (or equivalent design related training) required, preferable in Architecture, Interior Design, Lighting Design or related field
  • 4 years practicing lighting design or at least 2 years as a PAE Lighting Designer 2
  • Deep understanding and practice of integration of light with architecture and peopleย 
  • Consistent practice of professionalism
  • Time management and organization of multiple roles on projects
  • Proficient in time management and organizing teams and tasks on multiple projects
  • Provide and is receptive to constructive critique
  • Excellent graphic and oral communication of basic and advanced design concepts
    Complex Building Information Modeling (REVIT) expertise
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (emphasis on Photoshop and InDesign), Illumination calculation software (AGI),digital design modeling software ย (Sketchup, 3D Max, Rhino, or similar), and Bluebeam
  • Microsoft Office Suite

What We Offerย 

  • Hiring Base Salary Range: $91,200-$122,000 annualย 
    • This position is eligible for time and a halfย overtime pay

The base salary is one component of PAEโ€™s competitive compensation package for employees. We take into consideration a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, abilities, experience, education, credentials, internal equity and geographic location in determining exact salary offered. At PAE, employees are eligible for annual compensation reviews based on performance and business needs.ย The above range represents PAE's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.ย 

In addition, PAE offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:ย 

  • Employer paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision)ย 
  • Annual 401k profit sharing based on company profit for the year and account contributionย 
  • Professional development reimbursements including state registration and professional association duesย 
  • Employer paid commuter/parking stipend
  • Cell phone stipendย 
  • Life insurance and disability benefitsย 
  • Hybrid work scheduleย 
  • Employee Assistance Programย 
  • 9 paid holidays including an additional employee-selected day
  • Paid time off for sick leave, family leave, community service, holidays and vacation
  • To learn more about our comprehensive benefits package, visit https://www.pae-engineers.com/careers/benefits. This information is provided per the Equal Pay Act

Our commitment to pay equityย 

PAE is a JUST label certified company; we demonstrate JUST label requirements within pay equity. Pay scales should meet or exceed applicable legislated wage requirements and industry standards and compensate, on the same basis, all individuals performing the same or similar work and work of equal value. We are committed to the principle of pay equity โ€“ paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. To learn more about pay equity and our commitments to equitable business practices, you may view our JUST label certification here: Living Future: Just Label Certification.ย 

To find out more visit our website.


What Weโ€™re Made Ofย 

Founded in 1967, PAE is a leading sustainable engineering and consulting firm on a mission to deliver clean air, energy, and water for all. We specialize in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, building performance analysis, technology design, and lighting design (LUMA). PAE designs some of the nation's highest-performing and most regenerative built environments across the U.S., from Living Buildings to all-electric buildings and beyond. Learn more atย pae-engineers.com.

Our portfolio includes over 100 LEED Platinum projects as well as dozens of projects that have either achieved or are pursuing the Living Building Challenge, Passive House, Architecture 2030, Carbon Neutral, Net Zero Energy, and Net Zero Water.ย 


Fine Printย 

Please note that resumes received from third party recruiters or agencies will not be accepted unless requested directly by PAE Talent Acquisition and with a prior signed fee agreement. If candidates without a previously signed recruiter fee agreement are submitted, PAE reserves the right to engage with and hire those candidate(s) without any obligation financial or otherwise to the recruiter or agency.

In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at PAE will be based on merit, qualifications and abilities. PAE does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical characteristics historically associated with race, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.ย 

PAE will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment including: selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.ย 

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