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Lighting Director Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

General Summary The Lighting Designer, with some supervision from the Director of Electrical Engineering or senior staff, provides design, analysis and engineering for lighting, lighting control ...

Buyer - II

Farmington Hills, MI · On-site

$55K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... direct purchasing, negotiating with suppliers and managing the supply base post-negotiations. Degree in Engineering or Supply Chain Management preferred. At North American Lighting Team Member ...

Buyer - II

Farmington Hills, MI · On-site

$55K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... direct purchasing, negotiating with suppliers and managing the supply base post-negotiations. Degree in Engineering or Supply Chain Management preferred. At North American Lighting Team Member ...

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Showing results 1-20

Lighting Director information

See Michigan salary details

$22K

$51.9K

$89.6K

How much do lighting director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for lighting director in Michigan is $51,900.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,591.00 and $59,276.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lighting director do?

A Lighting Director is responsible for designing, coordinating, and executing the lighting for live events, television shows, theater productions, or film sets. They work closely with directors, producers, and set designers to create the right mood, visibility, and effects. Their job includes selecting lighting equipment, programming lighting cues, and overseeing a team of technicians to ensure smooth operation. Attention to detail, creativity, and technical expertise are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lighting director?

To thrive as a Lighting Director, you need a strong understanding of lighting design principles, electrical systems, and visual storytelling, often supported by experience in theatre, film, or television production. Proficiency with lighting consoles, DMX control systems, and lighting design software such as Vectorworks or Lightwright is typically required, and certifications like ETCP can be advantageous. Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills are essential for coordinating with directors, technicians, and other creative team members. These skills ensure effective execution of lighting plans that enhance the visual impact of live and recorded productions while maintaining safety and efficiency.

How do you become a lighting director?

To become a lighting director, individuals typically gain experience by working in entry-level lighting or stage crew roles, develop skills in lighting design and operation, and often pursue training or certification in lighting technology or theater production. Building a strong portfolio and understanding of lighting equipment, such as consoles and fixtures, is essential for advancing in this field.

How much do lighting directors make?

Lighting directors typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, industry, and location. Those working in film, television, or theater may have higher earning potential, especially with specialized skills and certifications. Salaries can also vary based on the complexity of projects and the size of the production.

What are some typical challenges a lighting director might face during a production?

Lighting Directors often face challenges such as working within tight timeframes, adapting to unexpected changes in set design or schedules, and addressing technical issues like power limitations or malfunctioning equipment. They must quickly troubleshoot problems while ensuring that lighting cues align seamlessly with the overall production. Additionally, coordinating and communicating with directors, stage managers, and other departments is key to staying aligned on creative vision and logistics. The ability to stay calm under pressure and adjust plans as needed is crucial for maintaining a high-quality production environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lighting jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Lighting jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Lighting Director jobs in Michigan? For Lighting Director jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lighting Director jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Lighting Director jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Lighting Director jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Lighting Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Lighting Director job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,900 per year, or $25 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Job Description:
General Summary
The Lighting Designer, with some supervision from the Director of Electrical Engineering or senior staff, provides design, analysis and engineering for lighting, lighting control systems and circuiting for new construction and/or renovation of industrial and commercial structures in conformance to client requirements and applicable codes. The Lighting Designer will also provide the design and engineering to develop the construction documents for the installation, interconnection and control of lighting fixtures.
Essential Job Functions:
  • Possess / demonstrate the engineering knowledge and understanding to design, analyze, and engineer electrical systems for the installation, interconnection, and control of lighting systems, sizing of equipment, etc.
  • Review and/or establish project scope, electrical budget, design approach, and applicable constraints with the Project Manager or client as appropriate.
  • Adhere to project quality, budget, and schedule.
  • Prepare feasibility studies and schematic design packages of lighting, lighting control systems, etc.
  • Possess / demonstrate the graphic ability to produce construction documents per company standards whether presenting mark-ups to CAD drafter or performing CAD drafting.
  • Communication and work with all other disciplines to produce coordinated construction documents.
  • With assistance, edit and draft project specifications.
  • Conduct field measuring and checking at the project site.
  • Maintain organized project file containing project calculations, correspondence, appropriate reference materials, etc.
  • Review project submittals (shop drawings) for conformance with contract documents; specify action required for conformance.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

Employment Qualifications:
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.

Experience
  • 3-6+ years related experience in the lighting design engineering field

Certification:
  • Lighting Certification (L.C). preferred

Skills/Competencies:
  • Proficiency in Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD
  • Proficiency in AGI32 and ElumTools Lighting Design Software
  • Knowledge and application skills for design of facility lighting systems including lighting and power branch distribution
  • Bluebeam
  • BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Strong attention to detail

Since 1982, Ghafari Associates has taken a personal approach to highly technical projects in complex markets including: aviation, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, hospitality, K-12 and higher education. As a global team of engineers, architects, process designers, and consultants we blend insight with technological innovation helping clients elevate their efficiency, sustainability, and impact.
Continuously rated a Top Workplace to Work, Crain's Cool Place to Work, and a Best and Brightest company to work for in the US, Ghafari has made a name for itself through our culture, employee benefits, and portfolio of projects.
Over a quarter of Ghafari employees have diverse identities that are championed by our growing approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Ghafari supports hybrid and in-office work environments.
Through career mapping, Ghafari employees are encouraged to seek licensure, coached for knowledge growth, and provided opportunities for management and mentorship roles if interested. Our robust internship program recognizes undergraduate and graduate students from across the world, having an over 90% success rate of hiring our interns after graduation.
Join our team and work on forward-thinking projects all around the world. Ghafari's global reach creates an environment where individuals can build professional relationships while building sustainable and cutting-edge facilities. Are you ready to take that leap? Apply Now!
Ghafari Associates, LLC is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. If you need an accommodation due to a disability in order to use our online system to apply for a position at Ghafari Associates, LLC, you may apply for positions in the following ways:
Connect to our job portal (https://ghafari.jobs)
By fax at 313.436.8624; Attn: Human Resources
By mail at 17101 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126; Attn: Human Resources
In person at 17101 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48126.
By email at hr@ghafari.com
If there are any questions or additional accommodations that are required, please contact 313.441.3000 for assistance.
It is Ghafari Associates, LLC's policy not to discriminate in its employment and personnel practices because of a person's race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, weight, height, marital, pregnancy or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, status as a qualified individual with a disability or a protected veteran, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance.