Lead Lighting Desiger

Join a team where design meets purpose. At RLF, our mission is to create high-performing environments that inspire and nurture the human spirit. For over 90 years, we have been a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, and interior design firm. With a focus on healthcare and federal projects, we deliver impactful, innovative spaces that shape communities and improve lives. We create exceptional places for extraordinary people.

We’re a passionate, collaborative team that values excellence, relationships, and fun. If you're looking to make a difference through meaningful work, let’s build something great together.

RLF is seeking a full-time Lead Lighting Designer / Lighting & Lighting Controls Systems Specialist to lead the firm’s lighting design discipline across all project types. This role will work closely with architectural, interior design, and engineering leadership and will be responsible for the overall vision, quality, and technical execution of lighting and lighting controls design firmwide. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in lighting and controls systems, strong design sensibility, and proven leadership experience managing a small team of lighting designers.

• Serve as the Lead Lighting Designer responsible for the lighting and lighting controls design on all assigned projects, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with project goals.
• Lead the conceptualization, design, and documentation of architectural lighting and lighting controls systems across a variety of building types, with emphasis on healthcare and federal projects.
• Manage and mentor a small team of lighting designers, providing technical guidance, design direction, workload planning, and professional development.
• Collaborate closely with architects, interior designers, electrical engineers, and clients throughout all phases of design delivery to ensure lighting solutions support architectural intent, user experience, sustainability goals, and regulatory requirements.
• Design and oversee the development of lighting systems, including fixture selection, layouts, photometric analysis, controls zoning, sequences of operation, and integration with building systems.
• Lead lighting controls system design, including selection of control strategies, coordination with electrical and IT systems, and compliance with energy codes and owner requirements.
• Review and approve lighting and controls drawings, specifications, calculations, and construction documents to maintain firmwide quality standards.
• Perform site visits, field observations, and existing conditions assessments to validate design assumptions and monitor construction progress and compliance.
• Identify and resolve complex design challenges, proposing innovative, cost-effective, and maintainable lighting solutions.
• Assist with Quality Control reviews of lighting and controls designs across projects.
• Perform construction administration tasks including responding to RFIs, reviewing shop drawings and product submittals, and supporting commissioning activities.
• Maintain strong working relationships with lighting manufacturers, representatives, and industry partners, leveraging industry knowledge to support project success.
• Stay informed on emerging lighting technologies, controls platforms, codes, and industry best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Lighting Design, Architectural Engineering, or related field strongly preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in architectural lighting and lighting controls design.
• Professional Engineer (PE license) and/or relevant lighting certifications (e.g., LC, CLD) a plus.
• Federal project and/or healthcare design experience strongly preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable codes and standards including IES, NFPA, FBS, UFC, NEV, ASHRAE, and energy codes.
• Excellent design judgement, technical rigor, and attention to detail
• Strong multitasking and organizational skills with the proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated leadership and emotional intelligence skills.
• Strong interpersonal, client…