Job Description

Entry-Level Lighting Designer

Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future. LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as "a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you'll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table and all input is valued.

We're currently seeking an Entry-Level Lighting Designer to join our MEP+L Systems team. You'll be part of a culture that values deep collaboration, technical excellence, and continual growth. In this role, you'll work alongside fellow lighting designers, architects, engineers, and project managers on a variety of projects across California and Texas, to bring high-performance, community-first design to life.

What You'll Do:

• Collaborate with architects, designers, and engineers to create impactful lighting solutions.
• Research and apply local lighting and energy code requirements.
• Incorporate district and campus standards where applicable.
• Use the IES Handbook to establish appropriate light levels for a variety of space types.
• Select lighting fixtures that meet project design goals, performance requirements, and budget constraints.
• Prepare fixture schedules that include detailed product descriptions, manufacturers, model numbers, finishes, and approved alternatives.
• Perform lighting calculations to validate design concepts and verify lighting performance throughout all project phases.
• Develop lighting layouts and document design intent in project drawings.
• Understand basic Title 24 lighting calculations and documentation to ensure compliance.
• Review and manage construction administration documents to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Attend site visits and punch walks to verify that the installed lighting matches the design intent.

What We Offer:

• Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.
• Career development support, including licensure incentives, professional development grants, and in-house training.
• Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.
• 8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.
• Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.
• Access to our Professional Development Grants program, created to encourage professional development and further LPA's collective knowledge as a firm. Over the life of the grant program, we have invested $1,196,890 and impacted 848 LPA employees.

What We're Looking For:

Required:

• A passion for architectural lighting design.
• Interest in working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary design environment.
• Curiosity, initiative, and a desire to learn.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality work.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in lighting design, architecture, engineering or a related field.
• 0-5 years of experience in designing building lighting systems.

Preferred:

• Experience with AutoCAD and Revit.
• Familiarity with lighting calculation and visualization software.

LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs.

This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.

Notice to Recruitment Agencies and Recruiters: Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA's request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.

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