Lighting Designer

Spark Studio Lighting Design LLC is an award-winning architectural lighting practice based in New York City. Our work focuses on corporate interiors, higher education, high-rise residential, auto showrooms, and specialty lighting and controls assignments. We are an affiliate of HLW International LLP, an award-winning global architecture, strategy, branding, and sustainability design firm that serves a diverse set of exciting, industry-leading clients. We offer an inclusive and supportive workplace, competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunity for growth. For more information about our work visit and for more information about the Spark/HLW culture, visit the  HLW website

Position Summary

This is an opportunity to join a growing lighting design practice - Spark Studio works closely with HLW offices in Los Angeles, New Jersey, New York, and London, as well as working independently for outside clients and architects. The group currently has staff in New York and Los Angeles, and we are looking for emerging designers to grow with us in our New York office.

The Lighting Designer will be an integral part of the team in development and completion of lighting design concepts and documentation necessary to complete deliverables for each project, including lighting concept sketches, client presentations, calculations for code compliance and illuminance levels, lighting mockups, fixture specifications, creating lighting layouts in Revit, cost research, fixture schedules and cuts, reviewing submittals, and review of onsite installations. The Lighting Designer will work closely with the Spark team and with architecture and interiors teams, attend design team meetings, coordinate with other consultants, and work with lighting sales reps.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Lighting Director and will provide project support to Senior Lighting Designers and Project Managers on the Spark Studio staff. 

Job Responsibilities

General Responsibilities - Knowledge & Understanding

• Understand Project Process and Components of Lighting Design
• Keep current on lighting technology and design trends
• Continued development of design and conceptual skills
• Continued development of verbal, visual, and graphic skills.
• Continued development of presentation skills.

 Project Related – All Phases 

• Lighting Plans, Details
• Fixture Research and Specifications
• Create presentation graphics, renderings, image boards
• Design Team Meetings, Vendor Meetings
• Site Visits

Leadership & Organizational

• Assist in organization of resources/materials
• Participate in firm initiatives, training opportunities, etc.
• Participate in firm team-building events.

Business Development and Marketing 

• Represent Spark Studio at industry events
• Foster existing client relationships to encourage repeat business and explore new client opportunities.
• Network with peer architects, engineers, PMs, reps, for business development.

 Role Qualifications

• Degree in Lighting Design, or Architecture/Interiors degree with supplemental lighting training.
• 1-4 years of experience with a Lighting Design Consultant Group.
• Experience and facility with modeling Revit work-sets and fixture families, Spark uses Revit as the main documentation software.
• Experience with graphics software including InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with lighting calculation software AGI32.
• Willingness to learn new software such as LightStanza, Rhino, and Enscape.
• Demonstrated design excellence and consistent high performance.
• Excellent communication, graphic and verbal presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate as a team member, engender confidence and trust, demonstrate reliability and desire to constantly improve individual and team abilities.
• Ability to work independently, seek assistance as needed, manage time and deadlines effectively.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision and life insurances, vacation, paid time off, flexible spending, life insurance, short-and long-term disability insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition assistance, reimbursement for professional licensing/certification exam fees, continuing education programs, 401(k) and commuter benefits.

The expected salary range for this position is $60,000-$80,000. We will consider relevant experience, qualifications, location, and other job-related factors in determining compensation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or disability status.