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Lighting Designer Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Lighting Designer I

Seattle, WA

$61K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Opportunity LUMA, the Architectural Lighting Design group within PAE Engineers, is looking for a creative and technically-minded Lighting Designer I to join our award-winning lighting studio in ...

Lighting Designer I

Seattle, WA · On-site

$61K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Opportunity LUMA, the Architectural Lighting Design group within PAE Engineers, is looking for a creative and technically-minded Lighting Designer I to join our award-winning lighting studio in ...

Lighting Project Designer

Seattle, WA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Illuminating Concepts , IMEG's Architectural Lighting Studio, is hiring a Lighting Project Designer to support the growth of our Architectural Lighting team through proactive design leadership and ...

Permanent Lighting Technician

Seattle, WA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Permanent Lighting Technician, you'll deliver high quality LED lighting solutions designed to meet client needs with precision and care. We are dedicated to safety, craftsmanship, and ...

Sr. Electrical Designer

Fife, WA · On-site

$81K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform lighting calculations to ensure adequate light distribution and energy-efficient design ... inspectors, designers, and more. Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our ...

Sr. Electrical Designer

Fife, WA · On-site

$81K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform lighting calculations to ensure adequate light distribution and energy-efficient design ... inspectors, designers, and more. Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our ...

Sr. Electrical Designer

Fife, WA · On-site

$81K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Perform lighting calculations to ensure adequate light distribution and energy-efficient design ... inspectors, designers, and more. Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our ...

Interior Designer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Responsible for selection and specification of furniture, lighting, flooring, wall covering and ... Must be professional Interior Designer and have passed the NCIDQ exam or be a registered Architect ...

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Showing results 1-20

Lighting Designer information

See Kent, WA salary details

$55.3K

$82.1K

$106.1K

How much do lighting designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for lighting designer in Kent, WA is $82,146.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,400.00 and $90,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are lighting designers in demand?

Lighting designers are in demand in industries such as entertainment, architecture, and events, where specialized knowledge of lighting technology and design is valued. Employment opportunities depend on project availability and regional market growth, with skills in CAD software and knowledge of energy-efficient lighting increasing employability.

What does a lighting designer do?

A Lighting Designer is responsible for creating the lighting scheme for theatrical productions, concerts, events, film, or architectural spaces. They work closely with directors, set designers, and other team members to establish the mood, focus, and atmosphere through lighting. Their role includes choosing lighting equipment, creating lighting plots, programming lighting consoles, and overseeing the setup and operation during performances. Lighting Designers use both creative and technical skills to enhance the visual impact of a production or environment.

What is a lighting designer?

A lighting designer (LD) designs the lighting setup for a stage production. It’s your job to create a “light plot” that dictates when and where specific lighting is needed on stage. Your typical job duties involve determining areas the light is needed, creating light cues for lighting changes, and collaborating with lighting technicians and electricians. Other common responsibilities are to edit the plan during rehearsals. Some lighting designers also manage the lighting budget. The job doesn’t usually entail actually running the lighting during performances.

What are some common challenges lighting designers face when working on live events or productions?

Lighting Designers often work under tight deadlines and must adapt quickly to last-minute changes in production or creative direction. Coordinating with directors, set designers, and technical crews requires clear communication to ensure the lighting plan enhances the overall vision without causing technical issues. Balancing creative goals with practical constraints like budget, venue limitations, and safety regulations is a frequent challenge. Additionally, troubleshooting equipment or programming issues during rehearsals or live performances demands strong problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

What is the difference between Lighting Designer vs Lighting Technician?

AspectLighting DesignerLighting Technician
CredentialsOften requires a degree in lighting design, theater, or related field; certifications like CLD (Certified Lighting Designer) are commonTypically has technical training or certification in lighting technology or electrical work; may have hands-on experience
Work EnvironmentDesigns lighting plans for theaters, events, film, and architectural projectsSets up, operates, and maintains lighting equipment on set or stage
Employer & IndustryEmployed by theaters, production companies, architectural firms, or freelanceWorks for production companies, theaters, or as freelancers in live events and film

While both roles work with lighting, the Lighting Designer focuses on creating the overall lighting concept and plans, whereas the Lighting Technician handles the technical setup and operation of lighting equipment based on those designs.

How much money does a lighting designer make?

Lighting designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and industry sector. Senior or specialized lighting designers working on large projects or in entertainment and theater may earn higher salaries or project-based fees. Many also supplement income through freelance work or consulting.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lighting designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lighting Designer, you need a strong understanding of lighting principles, color theory, and spatial design, often supported by a relevant degree or training in theatrical or architectural lighting. Familiarity with lighting design software (such as AutoCAD, Vectorworks, or WYSIWYG), lighting control systems, and industry-standard fixtures is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration with directors and other design professionals are standout soft skills in this role. These skills ensure visually compelling, safe, and technically feasible lighting solutions that meet both artistic and practical project requirements.

What job categories do people searching Lighting Designer jobs in Kent, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Lighting Designer jobs in Kent, WA are:

What cities near Kent, WA are hiring for Lighting Designer jobs?

Cities near Kent, WA with the most Lighting Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Lighting Designer job openings in Kent, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,146 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

$61K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

The Opportunity

LUMA, the Architectural Lighting Design group within PAE Engineers, is looking for a creative and technically-minded Lighting Designer I to join our award-winning lighting studio in Seattle. This is an opportunity to explore how light transforms architecture while developing the foundational skills needed for a career in professional lighting design. You will be part of an integrated team that values design intent as much as technical performance. In this role, you will support the design process from initial concept through construction, using everything from hand sketching and physical mock-ups to advanced digital modeling in Revit and AGI. You’ll work closely with project leads to translate ideas into detailed documentation, ensuring that every space we design is both beautiful and functional. If you are a collaborative designer who is open to constructive critique and eager to master the art and science of light, we want to hear from you.

Who We Are 

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. 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. 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

•    Develop design and technical skills to increase knowledge and experience required for this position and to grow as a professional lighting designer
•    Support design and production documentation to convey lighting design concepts and design intent using design techniques and software, inducing but not limited to, hand sketching, mock-ups, participation in design charrettes, Revit/BIM production, lighting calculation software (AGI32, LightStanza, etc.)
•    Interact and promote the core values of PAE and professionalism with project team members both internal and external
•    Attend meetings with team members representing PAE under the LUMA brand
•    Complete assigned work on time with instruction from the project leads
•    Support preparation and production of project deliverables with attention to detail
•    Demonstrate accountability as an integral member of the design teams in which you are involved
•    Actively participate in project design and construction phases
•    Participate in lighting industry organizations and events to build supporting professional relationships and knowledge
•    Perform other duties as assigned


What You Bring

•    College Degree required, preferably in Lighting Design, Architecture, Interior Design, or Theatrical Lighting
•    Time management and organization
•    Open and receptive to constructive critique
•    Clear graphic and oral communication of design
•    Ability to work collaboratively with others
•    Experience in Building Information Modeling (BIM), preferred
•    Experience in Adobe Creative Suite (emphasis on Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign)
•    Experience with photometric analysis software (AGi32), preferred
•    Experience with 3D digital design modeling software (Sketchup, 3DS Max, Rhino, or similar), preferred
•    Experience with Microsoft Office Suite


What We Offer 

  • Hiring Base Salary Range: $61,900 - $80,500 annual 
    • This position is eligible for time and a half overtime pay

The base salary is one component of PAE’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. The above range represents PAE's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. 

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

  • Employer paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision) 
  • Annual 401k profit sharing based on company profit for the year and account contribution 
  • Professional development reimbursements including state registration and professional association dues 
  • Employer paid commuter/parking stipend
  • Cell phone stipend 
  • Life insurance and disability benefits 
  • Hybrid work schedule 
  • Employee Assistance Program 
  • 9 paid holidays including an additional employee-selected day
  • Paid time off for sick leave, family leave, community service, holidays and vacation
  • Time-and-a-half pay for eligible overtime
  • 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 equity 

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 – 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. 

To find out more visit our website.


What We’re Made Of 

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 at 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. 


Fine Print 

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. 

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. 

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