Lead Lighting Designer

Opportunity

PAE/LUMA is looking for a visionary and highly organized Lead Lighting Designer to join our award‑winning lighting studio in San Francisco. As a lead, you will be the driving force behind the design direction and technical execution of lighting systems that harmonize architecture with the human experience. This role is designed for a professional who is ready to move beyond design production into a leadership position, overseeing project life cycles and mentoring a talented team of designers.

In this role, you will represent the LUMA brand as a primary point of contact for internal MEP teams and external clients. You will be responsible for creating project workplans, leading cross‑trade coordination, and ensuring that lighting designs are not only beautiful but also code‑compliant, budget‑conscious, and perfectly detailed. From high‑level conceptual graphics in Adobe Creative Suite to complex Revit modeling and on‑site construction reviews, your leadership will be the thread that connects a project's initial spark to its final, illuminated reality.

PAE is an engineering and design firm that turns complex challenges into reality. By leveraging the latest technologies, we solve problems in unique ways, and our designs enable buildings and communities to be more resilient and efficient. PAE is trusted by our clients in every aspect of a project's lifespan, from idea to occupancy. We set ambitious goals backed by analysis to significantly conserve water and energy while balancing costs and long‑term operational needs.

As a B Corp, we measure success by the benefits our projects provide to our clients, our communities, and our planet. We embrace innovation, transparency, sustainability, and lifelong curiosity.

• Lead the design direction and execution of the lighting design under the direction of the EOR/DOR
• Lead meetings with internal and external team members representing PAE under the LUMA brand
• Develop skills to create project workplans, tasks and assignments for the team
• Lead and support development and production of the lighting control design
• Mentor junior staff in design, production and calculations
• Perform lighting calculations, design communication graphics, REVIT production and mock‑ups
• Write lighting product specifications, create luminaire schedule, and demonstrate an understanding of advanced product research approaches
• Gain experience in technical detailing of lighting systems
• Facilitate project design and construction phases
• Support the project lighting cost control
• Lead cross‑trade coordination of lighting and lighting control systems
• Lead construction phase reviews of submittals and RFIs and attend site visits
• Participate in lighting industry organizations and events to build supporting relationships and knowledge
• Model accountability as an integral member of the design teams in which you are involved
• Perform other duties as assigned

• College Degree (or equivalent design related training) required, preferable in Architecture, Interior Design, Lighting Design or related field
• 4 years practicing lighting design or at least 2 years as a PAE Lighting Designer 2
• Deep understanding and practice of integration of light with architecture and people
• Consistent practice of professionalism
• Time management and organization of multiple roles on projects
• Proficient in time management and organizing teams and tasks on multiple projects
• Provide and is receptive to constructive critique
• Excellent graphic and oral communication of basic and advanced design concepts
• Complex Building Information Modeling (REVIT) expertise
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (emphasis on Photoshop and InDesign), Illumination calculation software (AGI), digital design modeling software (Sketchup, 3D Max, Rhino, or similar), and Bluebeam
• Microsoft Office Suite

• Hiring Base Salary Range: $91,200–$122,000 annual
• This position is eligible for time and a half overtime pay

• Employer paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
• Annual 401(k) profit sharing based on company profit for the year and account contribution
• Professional development reimbursements including state registration…