Lead Lighting Designer

The OpportunityPAE/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.

Who We ArePAE 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.

What You'll DoLead the design direction and execution of the lighting design under the direction of the EOR/DORLead 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

What You Bring College Degree (or equivalent design related training) required, preferable in Architecture, Interior Design, Lighting Design or related field4 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

What We Offer Hiring Base Salary Range: $91,200-$122,000 annual

This position is eligible for time and a half overtime payThe base salary is one component of PAE’s competitive compensation package for employees. We take into consideration a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, abilities, experience, education, credentials, internal equity and geographic location in determining exact salary offered. At PAE, employees are eligible for annual compensation reviews based on performance and business needs.

The above range represents PAE's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of  addition, PAE offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes the following:

Employer paid health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
Annual 401k profit sharing based on company profit for the year and account contribution

Professional development reimbursements including state registration and professional association dues Employer paid commuter/parking stipend

Cell phone stipend

Life insurance and disability benefits

Hybrid work schedule

Employee Assistance Program9 paid holidays including an additional…