Concept Lighting Designer

Description

AOA is seeking a creative, collaborative, and technically capable Concept Lighting Designer to help shape immersive guest experiences through the creative use of light. This role is focused on developing lighting concepts that support storytelling, emotion, and environmental design across museums, attractions, visitor centers, branded experiences, simulations, and other experiential projects. The ideal candidate understands that lighting is more than illumination, it is a storytelling tool that helps create memorable guest experiences.

The Concept Lighting Designer works alongside AOA's creative, technical, and production teams to develop lighting concepts from initial vision through design documentation and implementation support. This is not a traditional theatrical or architectural lighting design position. Success in this role requires balancing creativity, guest experience, technology integration, and real-world project execution.

Concept Lighting Designer

Orlando, FL

Creative Development

• Develop lighting concepts that support project narratives and guest experience goals.
• Create mood boards, visual studies, concept renderings, and lighting narratives.
• Collaborate with Creative Directors, Technical Directors, Scenic Designers, and AV Designers during project development.
• Participate in brainstorming sessions and creative workshops.
• Research and recommend innovative lighting technologies and experiential applications.

Experience Design

• Use light, color, contrast, movement, and focus to support storytelling.
• Develop lighting approaches that enhance immersive environments and interactive experiences.
• Create concepts that integrate seamlessly with media, audio, scenic elements, and special effects.
• Consider guest flow, sightlines, accessibility, and operational requirements throughout the design process.

Design Documentation

• Develop lighting layouts, fixture schedules, control concepts, and design intent packages.
• Assist in producing drawings and documentation for fabrication and installation teams.
• Coordinate with electrical, architectural, scenic, and AV disciplines.
• Review shop drawings and submittals for design compliance.

Visualization & Presentation

• Produce high-quality renderings and visual presentations.
• Support client presentations and design reviews.
• Create materials that clearly communicate design intent to owners, consultants, and production teams.
• Maintain project design standards and documentation.

Field Support

• Participate in mockups, fixture evaluations, and onsite testing.
• Support programming, aiming, focusing, and commissioning activities.
• Work alongside installation and integration teams to ensure the final product reflects the design vision.
• Assist with punch-list resolution and final owner acceptance.

Required

• 3+ years of experience in lighting design, themed entertainment, live events, museums, exhibits, architecture, or related industries.
• Working knowledge of Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Capture, Twinmotion, Unreal Engine, Sketch Up, or similar platforms.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating creative use of lighting and visual storytelling.
• Understanding of lighting technologies, fixture types, and control systems.
• Experience developing visual presentations and client-facing design packages.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience in themed entertainment, attractions, museums, or immersive environments.
• Familiarity with ETC, Pharos, Q-SYS, Alcorn McBride, Cue Server, DMX, sACN, and architectural lighting control systems.
• Experience with interactive exhibits, media integration, projection systems, or show control.
• Understanding of installation and commissioning processes.

At AOA, we take our work and fun very seriously, which is why we prioritize our team members above all else. Our culture is built on mutual respect, transparency, and the recognition that we all have personal lives and real obligations outside of work. We support our team members as people first, because we all do our best when we’re at our best.

We are proud to provide a robust PTO package, a variety of insurance coverages, and both paid maternity and paternity leave. Our benefits include health and wellness benefits, commuter benefits, special reimbursements for cell phone use, athletic classes, and more.