Show Lighting Designer

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Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are! 

We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration.  Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world.  

We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of: 

• Collaborative Creativity: We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities.

• Provocative Playfulness:  We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.

• Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong.

• Authentic Compassion: We are “kind punks” - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in.

• Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art.

If this all sounds like YOU, read on….

Job Description:

Job Disclosures: 

Project Based Position: This is a project based position with an anticipated duration of 12+ months.

Location: Santa Fe, NM

Compensation: The base salary for this position starts at $76,491. 

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” at Meow Wolf 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. 

You will enthusiastically bring a balanced technical and creative prowess to designing Meow Wolf’s 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 Meow Wolf’s 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 20 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:

This position will require moderate travel (25%-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: Meow Wolf 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:  Meow Wolf 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 at Meow Wolf 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, Meow Wolf offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.  

• 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 Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes

• Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests

*Regular or Project Based Full-time positions

Please visit www.meowwolf.com/careers for more information.