Career Opportunities

Do you want to join a very young and progressive company that peruses the creative collaboration in designing the most cutting edge built environment? Our vision is to set lighting trends, utilizing the most cutting edge technology and sustainable techniques, and to constantly raise the bar in what can be done with light, both electric and natural!

As an employee with BLD, you will be expected to constantly grow and learn professionally, for architectural lighting is not a “job” you can check-in and check- out of, it is a career that is ever evolving!

BLD approaches lighting far differently than a typical lighting consultant, understanding that truly successful lighting design does more than provide an effective visual environment for a space's occupants. A BLD lighting design is integrated with the fabric of the architecture, instead of simply being attached to it. This is possible because BLD understands interior design and architecture, allowing us to create seamlessly integrated design.

Because our lighting staff has the knowledge and creativity needed to employ light as an artistic tool as well as a scientific one, BLD 's lighting designs bring architecture to life through added aesthetic dimension. Combined with our proven ability to create lit environments that promote visual comfort while saving natural resources, our methodology consistently exceed client expectations, delight occupants and visitors, fulfill architects' visions and make projects memorable for everyone involved.

BLD is known for service, support and great enthusiasm. As an employee, you will be expected to understand the critical nature of maintaining the integrity of relationships, schedules and budgets.

BLD OFFERS:

• Competitive Salary based on your experience

• Health Care

• 401K Profit Sharing

• Every other Friday off (workflow permitting)

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

If interested in pursuing any of these positions, please submit your resume and cover letter as one document in PDF format, attaching a portfolio of no more than 6MB. BLD is an equal Opportunity Employer. BLD utilizes E-verify by the USCIS to verify that new hires are authorized to work in the United States.

<

>

• Lighting Intern Position

   

  BLD is always looking to find emerging talent and set the stepping stones to your career. Please contact us to see the availability of such a position within our company. Please provide the dates you anticipate your internship as well as a recommendation (s) from your professor(s).

• Junior Lighting Designer

   

  Junior Designer Tasks

  With the belief that you have the experience, creativity and professional poise to succeed on demanding projects, BLD’s expectation is for you come into this position within 1-2 years after completion of your Interior design, architecture or lighting degree.

   

  The essential tasks of a Junior Level Lighting Designer is to assist the Principal and/ or other designers in performing their tasks. You will be assisting in the development of architectural lighting strategies, and helping to perform the tasks necessary to provide a lighting package for cutting edge and high-performance projects.

   

  The main goal of this position is for you to quickly acquire the necessary skills in becoming a self-sufficient lighting designer with little oversight from your seniors. It is imperative at this stage of your career to further develop professionally by attending IESNA courses, manufacturer presentations, factory visits, lighting convention trips, etc., often on your own time.

   

  You are expected to have and further develop the following skills:

  • PC based programs such as Auto CAD, Revit, AGI, Illum  and Visual lighting software knowledge as well as Excel, Word, outlook and most other Microsoft programs (We do not use Apple related programs and do not allow any MAC based programs to be stored on our server)

  • High level of proficiency in math and geometry skills (such as figuring out watts per foot)

  • Ability to research Code and LEED

  • Excellent organizational and communication skills

  • Creativity and practicality

  • Experience & education

  • Independent yet collaborative

  • Grasp details and understand architecture and interiors

  • Good communicator and excellent listener

  • A strong sense of detail

  • Highly developed organizational skills

  • Great enthusiasm

  • A strong creative backbone

  • Outgoing and friendly personality lending to the team you are working with

  • Ability to think on your feet

  • Ability to visualize and quickly understand complex architectural spaces.

  • Self-direction and area a quick learner who swiftly grasps the essence of the task at hand and are eager to solve problems.

  • Ability to change directions and projects quickly and happily is critical

  • Strong motivation

  • Professional initiative

  • Take ownership of assignments

  • Work both independently and part of project team

  • Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and

  • Meet deadlines consistently.

  • Well organized, taking notes.

  • Ability to oversee a lighting equipment budget of approximately $50k.

  • Can be left with a task and can figure out next steps.

   

  The position offers you the unique opportunity of working with the highest respected designers of the industry, while seeing all stages of the project. You will participate and gain a full understanding of:

   

  • All design phases from conceptual design through Construction administration

  • You may occasionally attend meetings, site visits, construction oversight and focusing / programming.

  • You will become proficient in:

  • Setting up and working with product samples,

  • Constructing project detail mock-ups,

  • Collaborating with the entire design and construction team,

  • Participating in the closeout of a project by focusing and programming lighting controls

   

  “Nice to have” skills

  Hand drawing skills, lighting calculation (AGI32 and Visual), Sketch up, 3-D Max, Bluebeam and Adobe CS5 (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator), Lighting equipment knowledge, Title 24, and LEED knowledge.

   

  Compensation:

  A Junior Designer’s Annual Salary ranges from $40,000-$50,000 USD. Any pay above this threshold would be subject to the employee gaining the responsibilities and skill sets listed below as Intermediate Lighting Designer. BLD encourages Junior Lighting Designers to strive to progress to the next level, and encourages discussions on how to obtain the next platform.

   

  Goals:

  To advance within this position, you should be striving to perfect all of the skills listed above, as well as developing your lighting design, detailing, and fixture / source application knowledge. Your main goal will be to start implementing the tasks of the Intermediate Lighting design position to a point that you are performing those tasks efficiently in order to move to that position.

• Intermediate Lighting Designer / Project Manager

   

  Intermediate Lighting Designer / Project Manager Tasks

  With the belief that you have the experience, creativity and professional poise to succeed on demanding projects, BLD’s expectation is for you come into this position after a minimum of 2-5 years after completion of your Interior design, architecture or lighting degree.

   

  The essential tasks of an Intermediate Lighting Designer is to perform the day to day activities of a lighting project, alleviating the need for supervision on a daily basis.  You will have practical experience with fixtures and sources in order to give stronger input into the development of architectural lighting strategies. You know the steps necessary to provide a lighting package for cutting edge and high-performance projects.

   

  The main goal of this position is for you to run projects as a self-sufficient lighting designer with little direction or oversight from your seniors. It is imperative at this stage of your career to further develop professionally by attending IESNA courses, manufacturer presentations, factory visits, lighting convention trips, etc., often on your own time.

   

  You will have all the Junior Lighting Design skills mastered as well as the following skills:

   

  • Excellent communication skills as well as listener, ability to communicate effectively and understand everything discussed at a project meeting,

  • Excellent written skills including grammar, spelling, punctuation and the English language. Your emails are well thought out and fluent.

  • Ability to think on your feet, resolving various issues as they arise (Ability to answer most phone calls for a project),

  • Good organizational, time management and project management skills with the ability to set your own, as well as your teams’ tasks per the project requirements and schedule,

  • Ability to visualize and quickly understand complex architectural spaces and initiate lighting details, coming up with your own.

  • Ability to discuss Code and LEED at project meetings,

  • Ability to design creatively and yet practical;

  • Experienced & educated to direct a Junior Designer,

  • Outgoing & friendly personality starting to develop team leadership,

  • Ability to independently handle multiple small to medium sized projects simultaneously and meet deadlines consistently.

  • Ability to change directions on individual projects based on client changes, and understands the repercussions of those changes and knows what is essential tasks are to move forward,

  • Ability to hand sketch lighting details on the spot in meetings,

  • Professional initiative to learn more than what is just expected by reading books, trade magazines, attending professional events, classes, etc. on your own time,

  • Ability to read client contracts and understand time allotments for each task,

  • Keen knowledge of the IESNA standards, Title 24, and LEED,

  • Ability to know when and where calculations or mockups are necessary, and understands the results comparatively to the project needs, code requirements, and IESNA standards

  • Ability to hand draw details or redline drawings in a neat and professional manner, Setting up and working with product samples,

  • Ability to direct the constructing project detail mock-ups,

  • Ability to collaborate with the entire design and construction team,

  • Ability to oversee a lighting equipment budget of approximately $500k.

  • You will attend meetings, site visits, construction oversight and focusing / programming. Some of these meetings you will attend on your own.

   

  The position offers you the opportunity to develop and use your project management skills by working more directly with the architects and designers, while overseeing all stages of small to medium scale projects.

   

  You will become proficient in:

  • Project Management for small to mid-sized projects

  • Collaborating with the entire design and construction team,

  • Running the closeout of a projects by focusing and programming lighting controls

  • Writing contracts and preparing hourly spreadsheets

  • Ability to run all design phases from conceptual design through Construction administration

  • Ability to assist in designing projects, direct the lighting team,  and run medium scale projects

   

  “Nice to have” skills:
  Project Management / Time management / Leadership training. Knowledge of appropriate programs and spreadsheets. Knowledge of Sketch up and Adobe CS (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator).

   

  Compensation:

  An Intermediate Lighting Designer’s Annual Salary ranges from $45,000-$68,000 USD. Any pay above this threshold would be subject to the employee gaining the responsibilities and skill sets listed below as Senior-Level Lighting Designer. BLD encourages all designers to strive to progress to the next level, and encourages open discussions on how to obtain the next platform.

• Senior Lighting Designer / Project Manager

   

  Senior Lighting Designer / Project Manager Tasks

  With the belief that you have the experience, creativity and professional poise to succeed on demanding projects, BLD’s  expectation is for you come into this position at a minimum of 5 years after completion of your Interior design, architecture or lighting degree.

   

  The essential tasks of a Project Manager / Senior Lighting Designer is to be experienced in the design and management of medium to large scale projects. You come into this position when you display excellent client care skills, you are well organized and can manage others. You will have extensive experience with fixtures, sources and methods in order to conceive and produce realistic architectural lighting strategies that suit all aspects of the project budget and design criteria. You seamlessly integrate your knowledge to provide a lighting package for cutting edge and high-performance projects.

   

  It is critical at this stage of your career to further develop professionally by keeping up with the design trends and codes in lighting, architecture and interior design. In addition, this position requires you to start developing new business for the company by maintaining relationships and ultimately, receiving more contracts from a client. As a Senior Level Designer you should be developing strategic relationships, connecting and sometimes socializing with others in the industry, such as architects and Interior designers, often on your own time. As senior Lighting Designer you should be focusing on new clients and projects, ultimately providing company growth.

   

  You will have all the Intermediate Lighting Design skills mastered as well as the following skills:

   

  • Strong social etiquette  while attending professional meetings or events,

  • Ability to think on your feet, resolving high level issues as they arise (Ability to answer all phone calls for a project),

  • Excellent organizational, time management and project management skills with the ability to set your own, as well as your teams’ tasks per the project requirements and schedule,

  • Ability to visualize and quickly understand complex architectural spaces and have the ability to formulate multiple lighting solutions, presenting pros and cons of each solution,   and finally, “selling” the lighting ideas that you feel are most powerful,

  • Ability to hand sketch more elaborate architectural ideas on the spot in meetings,

  • Ability to re-formulate a design based on Code and LEED at project meetings,

  • Show leadership skills in an outgoing & friendly manner,

  • Ability to independently handle multiple large scale projects simultaneously and meet deadlines consistently.

  • Professional initiative to learn more than what is just expected by reading books, trade magazines, attending professional events, classes, etc. on your own time,

  • Ability to write client contracts and project time allotments for phases,

  • Ability to oversee a lighting equipment budget of approximately $1M.

  • Ability to track a large scale projects profitability,

  • Ability to teach others IESNA standards, Title 24, and LEED,

  • Ability to solely attend all meetings, site visits, construction oversight and focusing / programming.

  • Ability to seek, interview and suggest to hire new employees to the Principal.

   

  The position offers you the opportunity to develop your business skills, in preparation of becoming a Principal. You will become proficient in:

   

  • Contractual agreements and negotiation,

  • Collaborating with the entire upper level design and construction team,

  • Writing contracts and preparing hourly spreadsheets

  • Ability to run all design phases from conceptual design through Construction administration of a large scale project.

  • Ability to design projects on your own, direct the lighting team,  and run large scale projects

   

  “Nice to have” skills

  Knowledge of appropriate programs and spreadsheets to make your work easier. Knowledge of Sketch up and Adobe CS (InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator). Knowledge of key players at other design firms (architecture, Interior, landscape and engineering) that BLD is not currently working with. Ability to sell.

   

  Compensation:

  A Senior Level Lighting Designer / Project Manager’s Annual Salary ranges from $55,000-$80,000 USD. Any pay above this threshold would be subject to the employee gaining the responsibilities and skill sets listed below as Principal. BLD encourages all designers to strive to progress to the next level, and encourages open discussions on how to obtain the next platform.

• Associate Principal

   

  With the belief that you have the experience, creativity and professional poise to succeed on demanding projects, BLD’s anticipation and hopes are for you to acquire this position (from within the company) within 8-15 years after completion of your Interior design, architecture or lighting degree (or similar experience.

   

  The essential tasks of a Principal is to be experienced in all aspects of Lighting Design and running a business. You come into this position when you display excellent design and management skills, have your own client base,  and can run several teams of designers.

   

  In addition, this position requires that you develop new business from your own client base as well as maintain the relationships that BLD has developed. You have established strategic relationships, connecting and socializing with others in the industry, often on your own time. You should be continuously focused on new clients and projects, and providing company growth.

   

  It is critical for you to continually keep up with the design trends and codes in lighting, architecture and interior design, and inspire your subordinates to do so as well.  You should have the highest level of experience with fixtures, sources and methods and employees, associates and manufacturers come to you for input.

   

  Finally, this position requires you to have a strong business sense. You are tasked with helping to run the business and make critical decisions based on the good of the company and its employees’ welfare.

   

  You will have all the Senior Lighting Designer / Project Managers skills mastered as well as the following skills:

   

  • Developed client base

  • Ability to think on your feet with business decisions and the ability to answer all phone calls related to the day to day business,

  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to direct others  in performing their tasks, including administrative workers,

  • Ability to sell design ideas, and the company’s ability to receive projects,

  • Ability to inspire people even when you are not inspired,

  • Ability to deal with multiple personalities within the company,

  • Ability to mentor and teach all the skills within the lower positions’ outline, or direct the right avenue of learning for that employee to obtain that skill,

  • Show leadership skills in an outgoing & friendly manner,

  • Provide new avenues for marketing,

  • Ability to seek, interview and hire new employees.

  • QuickBooks and accounting knowledge

  • Labor Law and legal knowledge,

  • Benefit programs knowledge,

   

  • The position offers you the opportunity to utilize all of your experience combining design, marketing and business.

   

  • This position is not in any way limited to the tasks described above and sometimes includes projects or situations that are well beyond your realm of experience. It is required that you find the resources to resolve issues to the very best of your ability.

   

  Compensation:

  An Associate Principal’s Annual Salary ranges from $75,000+USD. Profit sharing. Company Car.

   

  Work Hours:
  The normal workweek for an Associate Principal is far in excess of a 40 hours. You are expected to be “on the clock” at all times, answering emails and calls on weekends and sometimes, while on vacations.