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Lighting Programmer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Electrician II

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and building heating and cooling system programmable controllers. * Performs preventive ...

Electrician II

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and building heating and cooling system programmable controllers. * Performs preventive ...

Electrician

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Designs, installs and troubleshoots electrical control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and heating and cooling system programmable controllers. * Designs, programs, installs and ...

Electrician

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Designs, installs and troubleshoots electrical control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and heating and cooling system programmable controllers. * Designs, programs, installs and ...

Electrician II

Ames, IA

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and building heating and cooling system programmable controllers. Performs preventive ...

Electrician II

Iowa City, IA

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and building heating and cooling system programmable controllers. * Performs preventive ...

Design low voltage power distribution systems, street lighting, traffic signals, area lighting ... Engineer in Training (EIT) certification * Knowledgeable in MicroStation and/or AutoCAD

Electrician

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$24.50 - $33.50/hr

Designs, installs and troubleshoots electrical control systems including lighting, programmable controllers, and heating and cooling system programmable controllers. * Designs, programs, installs and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Lighting Programmer information

See Iowa salary details

$11

$37

$64

How much do lighting programmer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for lighting programmer in Iowa is $37.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.13 and $48.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Lighting Programmer do?

A Lighting Programmer is responsible for programming and operating lighting control systems for live events, theater productions, concerts, and broadcasts. They work closely with Lighting Designers to translate creative visions into executable lighting cues using specialized software and consoles. Their role involves troubleshooting technical issues, ensuring smooth transitions, and sometimes live-operating the lighting during performances. Strong technical knowledge of lighting equipment and software, such as GrandMA or ETC Eos, is essential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Lighting Programmer position, and why are they important?

A successful Lighting Programmer requires a solid background in lighting design, programming logic, and often a relevant degree or technical training in entertainment technology. Proficiency with industry-standard lighting consoles (such as MA Lighting grandMA or ETC Eos), DMX protocols, and show control systems is expected, along with certifications in these systems being advantageous. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills are vital, as Lighting Programmers frequently collaborate with designers, directors, and stage crews under tight deadlines. Mastery of these areas ensures seamless and visually impactful productions, efficient troubleshooting, and effective collaboration in high-pressure environments.

What are the typical responsibilities of a Lighting Programmer during a live production?

As a Lighting Programmer, you are responsible for setting up, programming, and operating complex lighting cues that align with the vision of the lighting designer and the overall production. This role often involves working closely with lighting designers, directors, and stage management to translate creative concepts into technical execution, attending rehearsals, and making on-the-fly adjustments during performances. You may also be tasked with troubleshooting equipment, maintaining show files, and supporting other crew members as needed. The role requires both technical precision and creative interpretation to ensure every cue enhances the audience’s experience. Expect a collaborative and sometimes fast-paced work environment, particularly during tech rehearsals and live events.
What are popular job titles related to Lighting Programmer jobs in Iowa? For Lighting Programmer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Lighting Programmer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Lighting Programmer jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Lighting Programmer job openings in Iowa as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 9% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $77,240 per year, or $37.1 per hour.
Pre-Visualization Specialist

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Pre-Visualization Specialist

Musco's Entertainment Lighting Team has an opening for a Pre-Visualization Specialist in our Oskaloosa, IA office. The Pre-Visualization Specialist position bridges engineering, visualization, and creative production by translating lighting concepts and technical designs into realistic digital environments. If your experience aligns with the qualifications outlined below, we look forward to hearing from you!

Essential Criteria:

  • Associate or Bachelors degree in Lighting Design, Entertainment Technology, Engineering Technology, Visualization, Digital Media, or related field; or equivalent practical experience.
  • Experience with 3D DCC, design, visualization and lighting simulation software. Experience should reflect transferable knowledge across DCC/CAD platforms (e.g., Blender, Maya, 3DS Max, Unreal Engine).
  • Experience with 3D animation, and rendering withing common DCC software suites.
  • Experience with lighting industry simulation tools is a plus (e.g. Vectorworks, Depence, Capture, WYSIWYG, Carbon).
  • 3D modeling, materialing, and scene construction.
  • Strong attention to detail and spatial awareness.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with engineering and creative teams.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills.
  • Technical interpretation of engineering designs.
  • Visual storytelling and presentation.
  • Problem solving and adaptability.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in entertainment or architectural lighting projects.
  • Familiarity with DCC/CAD and 3D modeling tools.
  • Rendering, animation, or real-time visualization experience.
  • Knowledge of fixture specifications and lighting system integration is a plus.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Develop detailed 3D pre-visualization models of venues, stages, and entertainment environments.
  • Create lighting simulations to support design validation, programming, and client presentations.
  • Collaborate with lighting engineers to interpret technical drawings, lighting plots, and project specifications.
  • Assist in evaluating fixture placement, beam coverage, and lighting effects in virtual environments.
  • Maintain and update visualization assets, fixture libraries, and templates.
  • Support lighting programming workflows through simulation environments.
  • Produce visual content for project reviews, demonstrations, and marketing or customer presentations when needed.
  • Work closely with project teams to refine visual outputs based on engineering and client feedback.
  • Ensure visualization models accurately reflect real-world installation constraints.
  • Stay current with visualization, rendering, and lighting simulation technologies.
  • Collaborate with sales representatives to support early-stage sales activities and client engagement.
  • Conduct research on venues to source available 3D drawings and coordinate directly with clients technical teams to obtain accurate files for visualization purposes.
  • Develop a strong understanding of the Musco design process to ensure all technical data is accurate and sourced from appropriate systems and cross-functional team members.

Who is Musco:

Musco, a privately held company since 1976, is the global leader in sports and large-area lighting solutions, with projects in 135 countries. Headquartered in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Musco employs more than 1,800 team members worldwide.

Team Culture and Partnerships:

At Musco, we offer meaningful work in a team-first culture with continuous learning and professional development. We value work-life balance, providing flexibility for community involvement, family activities, and personal time. We have a generous benefit package created with the Team in mind. It includes varying health insurance plans, vision and dental insurance, PTO, 401k, profit sharing, and more!

As supporters of recreational organizations, we help ensure safer and more enjoyable playing experiences worldwide. If giving back resonates with you, learn more about our partnerships.

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