Lighting Project Designer | New York, NY

Location: New York, NY | Discipline: Architectural Lighting | Markets: Hospitality, Mixed Use, Education, MEP | Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP) | Travel: Up to 10% | Work Schedule: Full-time in office

About the Role

This role is focused on growth, a more proactive approach to design, and taking ownership of smaller projects without the requirement of senior lighting staff. You will contribute to project budgeting, train and mentor less experienced staff, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project goals and client expectations. The role also introduces project management and proposal writing while supporting work across hospitality, mixed use, education, and broader MEP environments.

Responsibilities

• Determine design standards, illuminance targets, and uniformity targets based on IES recommendations.
• Select luminaire options, prepare luminaire schedules, and coordinate with luminaire and controls representatives for product information and pricing.
• Create visual presentations to illustrate design concepts for client meetings using PowerPoint, Bluebeam, InDesign, Photoshop, AGI32, and other methods.
• Create luminaire layouts and perform illuminance calculations using AGI32 software.
• Design lighting layouts, basic control sensors, lighting control sequences of operations, and zone schedules in Revit or, more rarely, AutoCAD.
• Coordinate with electrical engineering teams on circuiting, emergency lighting, and energy code documentation, as well as with other engineering teams.
• Be an active member and actively contribute to the local section of the illuminating engineering society.
• Attend project job site visits to review existing conditions or luminaire and controls installations while coordinating with interior designers and architects as needed throughout the project.
• Assist in creating and attend luminaire mockups either in office or at a project job site.
• Develop consistent quality across projects, provide feedback and support the development of IMEG standards, and begin to develop client relationships on projects.
• Collaborate with senior lighting design team members, project executives, or client executives to learn and write proposals and begin to manage projects of smaller to middle size and complexity.
• Work within the project’s monetary budget, train, mentor, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project goals and client expectations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Architectural Engineering, Theatrical Lighting Design, Interior Design, or equivalent required.
• 3 years of experience minimum required, 4 preferred, in the building design consulting industry.
• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification preferred.
• OR Associates degree, or certificate, in Building Information Modeling (BIM) or Engineering preferred with 7 years of experience minimum required, 8 preferred, in the building design consulting or construction industry.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in design techniques, tools, and concepts involved in the production of technical plans and specifications.
• Enriched 2D and 3D visualization and design skills.
• Expanded knowledge and understanding of lighting design including both visual and technical aspects.
• Ability to train and mentor less experienced staff.
• Proficiency in industry standard engineering software and tools including AGI32 lighting software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to clearly communicate in both oral and written communication to individuals or groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Eagerness to adapt to new challenges.
• Proficiency in the use of BIM software.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to travel up to 10% with occasional overnight stays.

About the Team

If you are a visionary designer who balances creative artistry with technical precision, we want you to join our dynamic team in New York City. We operate as a collaborative, national practice composed of studios in NYC, Detroit, Chicago, and Denver. In this role, you will collaborate on high-visibility, award-winning architectural lighting projects from initial concept to successful completion. You will work across a diverse range of vibrant sectors—including corporate workplace, hospitality, gaming, healthcare, multifamily, and sports and recreation.

Benefits

• Employee ownership (ESOP), fully vested at all times, with a 3% to 6% company contribution, plus year-end profit sharing.
• IDEA Program: a firm-wide innovation accelerator where employees across every discipline develop and scale new tools, from VR and AI to carbon-reduction technology.
• PE, SE, and other license exam prep and support, with a clear path from EIT to PE.
• Dress for Your Day flexibility (wear what fits your day).
• Generous time off, including 6 paid holidays and 3 additional floating holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one, with preventive care at 100%, a $50/month wellness credit, and a Calm subscription.
• MEG, our in-house AI platform, helps employees find information and build agents that streamline project workflows and calculations.
• State of the art technology and tools.
• Comprehensive benefits package including life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO).
• Assistance with tuition reimbursement.

Pay

State of New York Salary Range: $104,000–$145,000 per year. The range listed above represents the base pay IMEG reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position in the work location identified above at the time of posting. Individual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and licensure and certifications. Other rewards may include annual bonuses and stock ownership options.