Job DescriptionThe 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.
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. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary range: $85,000-$115,000.
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.
- Posses 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 InformationAs 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.
