Lighting Project Designer

Lighting Project Designer | Chicago, IL

100% Employee-Owned · Big-firm resources, local-team relationships, ONE IMEG culture

IMEG, formerly Illuminating Concepts, is hiring a Lighting Project Designer in Chicago, IL. This role focuses on proactive lighting design and ownership of smaller projects, including an introduction to project management and proposal writing.

You will work with engineers and consultants to provide engineering solutions and advice to clients. The role works within project budgets, trains and mentors staff, and collaborates across functions to meet project goals and client expectations in hospitality, mixed use, education, and MEP markets.

At a Glance

Location: Chicago, IL or Seattle, WA

Discipline: Architectural Lighting

Markets: Hospitality; Mixed Use; Education; MEP

Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP)

Travel: Up to 10%

Work Schedule: Full-time hybrid

Sponsorship: Not available

What You'll Do

• Determine design standards and illuminance and uniformity targets based on IES recommendations.
• Select luminaire options and specify them in luminaire schedules.
• Create visual presentations and lighting design concepts for client meetings.
• Create luminaire layouts and perform illuminance calculations using AGI32 software.
• Design lighting layouts, including basic control sensors, lighting control sequence of operations, and zone schedules in Revit or, more rarely, AutoCAD.
• Coordinate with electrical engineering teams on circuiting, emergency lighting, and energy code documentation, as well as with other engineering teams, interior designers, and architects.
• Coordinate with luminaire and controls representatives for product information and pricing.
• Contribute to the local section of the Illuminating Engineering Society.
• Attend project job site visits to review existing conditions or luminaire and controls installations and assist with luminaire mockups.
• Develop consistent quality across projects, provide feedback, support the development of IMEG standards, and begin developing client relationships.
• Begin managing small to mid-sized projects and collaborate with senior lighting design team members, project executives, or client executives to learn and write proposals.

What You'll Bring

Required Education

• Associates degree, or certificate, in Building Information Modeling (BIM) or Engineering preferred

Experience

• 3 years of experience minimum required, 4 preferred, in the building design consulting industry

Required Skills/Abilities

• Proficiency in design techniques, tools, and concepts involved in the production of technical plans and specifications
• Enriched 2D and 3D visualization and design skills.
• Expanded knowledge and understanding of lighting design including both visual and technical aspects.
• Ability to train and mentor less experienced staff
• Proficiency of industry standard engineering software and tools including AGI32 lighting software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; Ability to clearly communicate in both oral and written communication to individuals or groups
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Eagerness to adapt to new challenges
• Proficiency in the use of BIM software
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to travel up to 10% with occasional overnight stays

Preferred

• Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certification preferred

About the Team

• Centered on architectural lighting as a specialty practice. Most of the active work points to lighting design, lighting upgrades, branding/feature lighting, and related electrical coordination across corporate workplaces, hospitality venues, multifamily residential, cultural/public spaces, and select healthcare projects.
• The team works closely with architects, interior designers, landscape designers, and developers on projects across the U.S. and beyond.
• Illuminating Concepts’ lighting designs balance form and function to create solutions that are visually compelling, energy-efficient, and cost-effective.
• You'll work on an exciting mix of interior and exterior design projects, with opportunities to shape corporate workplaces, civic spaces, higher education facilities, hospitality destinations, healthcare environments, and sports and recreation venues.
• Recent work includes Bain & Company NYC Egress Stair, Corporate/Workplace, and Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital Lobby/Entries/NICU Lighting, Healthcare.

Why IMEG

We put people at the center of who we are, creating positive outcomes for people, communities, and our planet.

• Employee ownership (ESOP), fully vested at all times, with a 3% to 6% company contribution, plus year-end profit sharing
• IDEA Program: a firm-wide innovation accelerator where employees across every discipline develop and scale new tools, from VR and AI to carbon-reduction technology
• PE, SE, and other license exam prep and support, with a clear path from EIT to PE
• Dress for Your Day flexibility (wear what fits your day)
• Generous time off, including 6 paid holidays and 3 additional floating holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one, with preventive care at 100%, a $50/month wellness credit, and a Calm subscription
• MEG, our in-house AI platform, helps employees find information and build agents that streamline project workflows and calculations

Salary Ranges (by jurisdiction, in compliance with local laws):

State of Illinois and Washington Salary Range: $60,000 - $95,000 per year

The range listed above represents the base pay IMEG reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position in the work location identified above at the time of posting. For positions available in multiple locations, the minimums and maximums may vary based on work location.

Individual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and licensure and certifications.

Other rewards may include annual bonuses and stock ownership options. In addition, IMEG provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). This information is being provided in compliance with local laws. Additional information regarding employee benefits may be found on our company website at www.imegcorp.com.

Bring Your Career to IMEG

Apply today to contribute your lighting design expertise to projects that support positive outcomes for clients and communities.

IMEG, an employee-owned corporation, is committed to investing in employees’ futures through professional development programs and opportunities for career advancement. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including generous PTO, flexible schedule, and assistance with tuition reimbursement. Additionally, employees are eligible to enroll in health, dental, vision, and life insurance on their first day of employment.

Want to learn more about IMEG and our other amazing career opportunities?  Please visit https://www.imegcorp.com/careers/.

IMEG is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), gender, national origin, disability, age, genetic information (including family medical history), parental status (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation), ethnic origin, hair type (including hairstyle or hair texture), citizenship status, marital status, military service, veteran’s status, political affiliation, non-merit-based factors, or any other characteristic protected by law. In accordance with antidiscrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to put into effect these principles and mandates. IMEG prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. IMEG conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

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