
Show Lighting Designer II
NBCUniversal · Universal City, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $115,000 / year
- Universal City, CA
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Show Lighting Designer II
NBCUniversal · Universal City, CA
Sam Bennett
Hiring Manager · h•••••@jobs.smartrecruiters.com
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Job highlights
- Design and manage show lighting projects.
- Develop creative and technical lighting designs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Research new lighting technologies.
- Ensure budget and schedule adherence.
About the role
About NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information. Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.Job Description
The Universal Studios Hollywood Entertainment Lighting & Electrics team serves as the lighting project management and design group for Entertainment projects. This team supports and interfaces with other Entertainment groups, including Creative, Production Design, Technical Design, Special Effects, Audio & Video, Show Control, and more to ensure successful creative and technical execution of all lighting and show power elements throughout the year. It is the overall goal of this team to develop and create both creative and technical designs and processes throughout show lighting development and execution that leave a lasting impression on our guests and team members. The Lighting Designer 2 focuses on multiple projects throughout the year and may be assigned a variety of types of projects based on departmental needs. This includes, but is not limited to seasonal events, special events, infrastructure improvement projects, and research and development projects. The level of involvement in these projects varies on the magnitude of the project assigned.Key Responsibilities
- Serve as a resource during the early project creative development process, providing input, research, and feedback as required for lighting project startup.
- Lead the design development, production, operation, strike, and closeout of all show lighting and show power elements, including being able to communicate design intent to other groups.
- Interface with the creative and design teams to generate show lighting documentation
- Research lighting technologies (fixtures, data distribution, tools, etc.) and installation methodologies to determine which implementation is best for a given project.
- Research and provide feedback to the production design and technical design teams to ensure proper integration of all elements throughout the design development process.
- Generate or facilitate the creation of lighting plots, including multiple iterations as required.
- Generate required show lighting documentation, including fixtures schedules, equipment lists, and power / load schedules.
- Ensure design information is submitted to any required engineering group for inclusion in engineering or permit drawings, including placement of jurisdictionally required egress lighting and exit signage, if such systems are required. This may include load schedules required for electrical engineering and permitting.
- Support any research and development or mock-ups of lighting concepts.
- Lead and support the in-field installation of planned designs, including documenting and communicating any adjustments to the original intent and communicating these changes to multiple disciplines.
- Coordinate the selection, placement and installation of practical lighting fixtures.
- Support show lighting programming, including both lighting systems / consoles and interfacing with external show control equipment.
- Coordinate the installation, focus, maintenance, and strike of all lighting elements in-field, including coordinating directly or working with the lighting project manager on the logistics of equipment.
- Work with lighting and department project management to establish and maintain a lighting project budget and schedule, including providing requested financial information in a timely fashion for approval, properly estimating and providing technician labor forecasts, and iterating on design to align with all project requirements.
- Generate, collect, and execute any show lighting notes as required.
- Fulfill any required administrative functions of the show lighting role including collaboration with other Show Lighting Designers and Lighting Technicians.
Qualifications
- BA in technical theatre, architecture, design or similar field, and/or a minimum of 6 years equivalent experience in theatrical, themed entertainment, touring, or similar environment applying the practices of lighting design or master electrician work.
- Thoroughly understands the concepts of lighting design practices, including the properties and application of light as a tool to serve the overall creative and storytelling process.
- Proficiency with lighting and show power distribution systems, including both facility wide and temporary/touring-based systems.
- Ability to read and properly interpret a variety of types of drawings, including engineering documentation, code plans, and architectural plans.
- Advanced proficiency in programs including AutoCAD and Vectorworks.
- Advanced proficiency in Lightwright or generating required lighting documentation in Vectorworks.
- Ability to generate comprehensive show lighting documentation, including plots, fixture schedules, focus charts, equipment lists, power schedules, and practical schedules from scratch.
- Ability to establish and follow show lighting documentation CAD standards.
- Ability to properly adhere to lighting project deliverable timeline, including delegation of specific deliverables to other show lighting team members to keep project on track.
- Experience with office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Possess effective and concise communication skills required to interact with other design and technical groups.
- This position requires flexible availability. Based on project needs, work will require on-site presence on weekends and will include overnight work.
Desired Characteristics
- Understands low-voltage LED lighting and power/dimming systems.
- Understands how to interface and program with ETC control systems, including both theatrical and architectural systems, such as EOS, Mosaic & Paradigm.
Additional Information
As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.Key skills/competency
- Show Lighting Design
- Lighting Project Management
- Theatrical Lighting
- Entertainment Lighting
- Lighting Documentation
- AutoCAD
- Vectorworks
- Lightwright
- Show Power Distribution
- ETC Control Systems
Skills & topics
- Show Lighting Designer
- Lighting Design
- Theatrical Lighting
- Entertainment Lighting
- Lighting Project Management
- AutoCAD
- Vectorworks
- Lightwright
- Show Power
- Media and Entertainment
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in theatrical, themed entertainment, or touring lighting design, emphasizing AutoCAD, Vectorworks, and Lightwright proficiency.
- Showcase technical skills: Detail your understanding of lighting design principles, power distribution, and control systems like ETC EOS or Mosaic.
- Demonstrate project management: Provide examples of leading projects from concept to closeout, including budget and schedule management.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your design process, problem-solving approach, and ability to collaborate with diverse teams.
- Research NBCUniversal: Understand their creative projects and values to articulate your fit for the Show Lighting Designer role.
Technical preparation
Master AutoCAD and Vectorworks.,Practice creating lighting plots and schedules.,Study ETC control systems (EOS, Mosaic, Paradigm).,Review lighting power distribution principles.
Behavioral questions
Describe a challenging lighting project.,How do you handle design changes?,How do you collaborate with technical teams?,How do you manage project timelines and budgets?
Prefer to apply the usual way?
Not recommended alone — most applicants never hear back. Email the hiring manager first.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Show Lighting Designer II position at NBCUniversal?
- The salary range for the Show Lighting Designer II position at NBCUniversal is $85,000 to $115,000 annually. This range reflects NBCUniversal's commitment to competitive compensation for its employees.
- What is the required educational background or experience for the Show Lighting Designer II role at NBCUniversal?
- A Bachelor of Arts degree in technical theatre, architecture, design, or a similar field is preferred, along with a minimum of 6 years of equivalent experience in theatrical, themed entertainment, touring, or a similar environment. This experience should involve applying lighting design practices or master electrician work.
- What software proficiency is essential for the Show Lighting Designer II position at NBCUniversal?
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD and Vectorworks is required. Additionally, advanced proficiency in Lightwright or generating required lighting documentation within Vectorworks is essential for creating comprehensive show lighting documentation.
- Does NBCUniversal offer benefits for the Show Lighting Designer II role?
- Yes, this position is eligible for company-sponsored benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.
- What kind of flexibility is required for the Show Lighting Designer II at NBCUniversal?
- Flexible availability is required for this position. Work may necessitate on-site presence on weekends and include overnight work, based on project needs.
- What are the key responsibilities of a Show Lighting Designer II at NBCUniversal?
- Key responsibilities include serving as a resource during creative development, leading design and execution of lighting elements, interfacing with creative teams, researching lighting technologies, generating documentation, coordinating installations, and managing project budgets and schedules.
- What is the primary function of the Entertainment Lighting & Electrics team at Universal Studios Hollywood?
- The Universal Studios Hollywood Entertainment Lighting & Electrics team serves as the lighting project management and design group for Entertainment projects, ensuring the successful creative and technical execution of all lighting and show power elements.
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