Lighting Designer (Project-Based Role)

Meow Wolf

3-5 Years | Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States (Remote) | Full Time | 1 day ago

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Job Summary

As a Lighting Designer, you will bring both technical and creative skills to conceptualize and draft lighting plots for exhibitions, events, concerts, and other projects. You'll be a key member of the Audio, Video and Lighting team, part of the Exhibitions Technical Arts department, using your expertise to establish mood, direct audience attention, and create special effects while maintaining creative intent. Collaboration with project leads, show managers, and stakeholders is paramount to determine scope, priorities, and creative direction, as well as developing vendor relationships. You will be a subject matter expert, delivering brilliant approaches for technical and artistic outcomes.

Must Have

Collaborate closely with key stakeholders to inform and understand the overall Creative Intent for Exhibits, Events, Projects, and Elements.
Drive development of the lighting creative intent for these projects.
Delve into learning design processes and phase deliverables, as well as general keystone technologies.
Strategically plan then manage the physical lighting integration.
Program and focus the lighting integration as dictated by creative intent.
Support installation and document the systems after completion of each project.
Research cutting edge technologies, software, and equipment to better implement and innovate upon creative designs.
Introduce new processes to lighting design for improved or new workflows.
Establish relationships with industry vendors for contract work.
3 to 5 years of lighting design experience in themed entertainment, immersive art or theater.
Strong balance in both technical and creative skills.
Experience concealing and integrating fixtures that enhance the environment, without drawing attention to the equipment.
Experience with architectural lighting and awareness of trends and more dynamic lighting, like concert lighting.
Basic knowledge and experience with immersive group entertainment and/or art curation.
Excellent at being a self-starter and driving own projects and timelines.
Fearless team member who isn’t afraid to ask questions and has a “go getter” approach to work.
Open-minded to a DIY culture and amenable to the ebbs and flows of lighting design.
Patience and perseverance, able to serve as a teacher to teammates and other departments.
Adept at receiving input and information from multiple parties.
Excellent interpersonal skills, written and oral communication skills, organizational as well as creative thinking.
Represent the project and department in a professional manner while working with internal and external partners.

Perks & Benefits

Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP
Dental and Vision Insurance
HSA, HRA, and FSA options
401k Retirement Plan
Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)
Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies
Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
Discount off Gift Shop Merch and Cafes
Admission to attractions for employees and guests

Job Description

Job Disclosures:

Project-Based Role:

This is a project-based position with an anticipated duration of 2+ years.

Location:

Santa Fe, NM or remote NY

Compensation:

The base annual salary for this position starts at $76,491. Compensation may vary based on candidate location and experience.

Job Purpose:

To design and develop show lighting designs and creative lighting experiences for exhibitions, live events and other projects.

Job Summary:

Are you a lighting expert who brings both technical and creative skills to the table when it comes to designing lighting experiences? Come revel in the “spotlight” as a Lighting Designer, where you’ll help conceptualize and draft lighting plots of spaces for our exhibitions, events, elements, concerts, pop-ups and other projects. As a member of the Audio, Video and Lighting team, which is part of the Exhibitions Technical Arts department, you’ll impart your lighting expertise in developing a certain mood, steering the attention of your audience in the right direction or establishing the right kind of special effects, all while keeping the creative intent of the project intact.

As a Lighting Designer, collaborating with other team members to craft the desired result is paramount. You’ll partner closely with project leads and show managers to determine the scope of work, establish work priorities and communicate ongoing work status. Additionally, you’ll join forces with project stakeholders for creative direction, design, and product installation, respectively, while also developing relationships with vendors for contract work.

A Lighting Designer is a true subject matter expert in their medium, bringing “to light” “brilliant” approaches that will yield specific results to achieve both technical and artistic outcomes.

Job Requirements

You will enthusiastically bring a balanced technical and creative prowess to designing lighting experiences, thereby elevating the guest experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Collaborate closely with key stakeholders to inform and understand the overall Creative Intent for Exhibits, Events, Projects, and Elements in order to drive development of the lighting creative intent for these projects.
Delve into learning design processes and phase deliverables, as well as general keystone technologies.
Strategically plan then manage the physical lighting integration.
Program and focus the lighting integration as dictated by creative intent.
Support installation and document the systems after completion of each project.
Research cutting edge technologies, software, and equipment to better implement and innovate upon creative designs.
Introduce new processes to lighting design for improved or new workflows.
Establish relationships with industry vendors for contract work.

Required Qualifications:

3 to 5 years of lighting design experience in themed entertainment, immersive art or theater, with a strong balance in both technical and creative skills.
Experience concealing and integrating fixtures that enhance the environment, without drawing attention to the equipment
Experience with architectural lighting but are also aware of trends and more dynamic lighting, like concert lighting.
Basic knowledge and experience with immersive group entertainment and/or art curation.
You are excellent at being a self starter and driving your own projects and timelines.
You are a fearless team member who isn’t afraid to ask questions and has a “go getter” approach to your work.
You are open minded to a DIY culture and amenable to the ebbs and flows of lighting design.
You bring patience and perseverance and will be able to serve as a teacher to your teammates and other departments.
You are adept at receiving input and information from multiple parties.
You hold excellent interpersonal skills, written and oral communication skills, organizational as well as creative thinking.
You represent the project and department in a professional manner while working with internal and external partners.
In-depth knowledge of core platforms and programs as they will be utilized on a daily basis:
Google Suite
Vectorworks Spotlight, AutoCad, Revit, ETC EOS, ETC Mosaic,.
MSD and/or Depence2, WYSIWYG, and Capture Pre-Visualization software
Working knowledge of:
TouchDesigner and Max/MSP interactive design/development software
Working knowledge of sACN/Art-Net/DMX/OSC/IP networking

Work Environment and Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. This position also works in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines and small and / or enclosed spaces.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs/slides/elevators, and navigate the elements during the day and night. Employee may be required to remain in a sitting or standing position for prolonged periods, and repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

This position does not require supervisory responsibility.

Travel:

Travel is required for this position and varies by phase. This may include business trips and temporary assignments as necessary. Depending on candidate location, during the design phases, this position will require some business travel (10%-25%). Depending on candidate location, during the production and installation phases, this position will require extensive travel (30%+).

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IMPACT: is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.

INCLUSION: is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

BENEFITS:

The choices we make concerning our benefits during enrollment periods are among the most important we select for ourselves and our families. As part of the total compensation package for full-time employees, offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.