Lighting Design Intern | Chicago, IL

IMEG Corp; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Mentor program

Path to full-time opportunities

Job summary

IMEG Corp in Chicago, IL is offering a Summer 2027 Architectural Lighting Intern role. Over 10-12 weeks, you will assist in design, documentation, and client presentations, supporting cross-functional teams and staying mindful of project budgets and client expectations.

The internship provides hands-on project work under experienced lighting designers, with mentorship and a clear path to full-time opportunities; the team operates across hospitality, mixed-use, education, and related environments.

Qualifications

• Completed at least 2 years toward a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Architectural Engineering, or Theatrical Lighting Design, Interior Design or equivalent required
• Strong interest in architectural lighting design consulting
• Previous exposure to CAD and/or BIM software
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to clearly communicate in both oral and written communication to individuals or groups

Responsibilities

• Assist with design portions of projects related to discipline systems according to code and IMEG standards
• Research commercially available equipment and support luminaire selections, lighting layouts, illuminance targets, and design documentation
• Help maintain client relations, project design notebooks, and permanent record documentation
• Coordinate design and schedule activities with architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, technology, clerical, and equipment-supplier teams
• Document design decisions, meetings, and client instructions while monitoring project design progress
• Review project documents for accuracy and completeness prior to final check
• Prepare and issue addendum information
• Conduct periodic job site observations and provide other services required by the contract services agreement
• Support project goals and client expectations while working within project monetary budgets
• Create client presentations and document design selections in Revit or less frequently AutoCAD

Skills

CAD

BIM

MS Office

Education

Bachelor of Science or BA in Architectural Engineering or Theatrical Lighting Design or equivalent

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

100% Employee-Owned · Big-firm resources, local-team relationships, ONE IMEG culture This posting is for Summer 2027 Internship opportunities. IMEG is hiring an Architectural Lighting Intern in Chicago, IL. Over 10-12 weeks, you’ll assist in the analysis, design, and implementation oversight of architectural lighting systems for a variety of building types. This paid, mentored internship offers hands-on involvement in real project work alongside experienced architectural lighting designers. In this role, you’ll support design and documentation tasks, help create client presentations, and contribute to project work while collaborating with cross-functional teams and staying mindful of project budgets and client expectations. You’ll be part of a team whose work spans hospitality, mixed use, education, and related building environments, with a specialty focus on architectural lighting design and coordination.

At a Glance

Location: Chicago, IL

Discipline: Architectural Lighting

Markets: Hospitality; Mixed Use; Education; MEP

Ownership: 100% employee-owned (ESOP)

Work Schedule: Full-time in office

Program Length: 10-12 week summer program

Sponsorship: Not available

What You’ll Do

• Assist with design portions of projects related to discipline systems according to code and IMEG standards
• Research commercially available equipment and support luminaire selections, lighting layouts, illuminance targets, and design documentation
• Help maintain client relations, project design notebooks, and permanent record documentation
• Coordinate design and schedule activities with architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, technology, clerical, and equipment-supplier teams
• Document design decisions, meetings, and client instructions while monitoring project design progress
• Review project documents for accuracy and completeness prior to final check
• Prepare and issue addendum information
• Conduct periodic job site observations and provide other services required by the contract services agreement
• Support project goals and client expectations while working within project monetary budgets
• Create client presentations and document design selections in Revit or less frequently AutoCAD

What You’ll Bring

Required

• Completed at least 2 years towards a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Architectural Engineering, or Theatrical Lighting Design, Interior Design or equivalent required
• Strong interest in architectural lighting design consulting
• Previous exposure to CAD and/or BIM software
• Proficient with MS Office Suite including but not limited to Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Ability to clearly communicate in both oral and written communication to individuals or groups

Preferred

• Prior internship experience in the building design consulting industry preferred

About the Team

If you are a visionary designer who balances creative artistry with technical precision, we want you to join our dynamic team in New York City. We operate as a collaborative, national practice composed of studios in NYC, Detroit, Chicago, and Denver. In this role, you will collaborate on high-visibility, award-winning architectural lighting projects from initial concept to successful completion. You will work across a diverse range of vibrant sectors—including corporate workplace, hospitality, gaming, healthcare, multifamily, and sports and recreation. If you are ready to design alongside talented, lighting and multi-disciplinary colleagues and partner with an impressive roster of clients, we want to hear from you.

Why IMEG

• A paid internship with real, hands-on project work, not busywork
• A structured program with an assigned mentor and a cohort of fellow interns
• A clear path to full-time: many interns and co-ops convert to full-time roles at IMEG
• IDEA Program: a firm-wide innovation accelerator where employees across every discipline develop and scale new tools, from VR and AI to carbon-reduction technology
• Real impact from day one: at IMEG, an intern once became our Virtual Reality leader
• Exposure across disciplines and offices at a 100+ office, employee-owned firm
• MEG, our in-house AI platform, helps employees find information and build agents that streamline project workflows and calculations

State of Illinois Salary Range: $22.00/hr–$24.00/hr The range listed above represents the base pay IMEG reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this position in the work location identified above at the time of posting. Individual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, abilities, and licensure and certifications. Other rewards may include annual bonuses and stock ownership options. In addition, IMEG provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). This information is being provided in compliance with local laws. Additional information regarding employee benefits may be found on our company website at www.imegcorp.com.

IMEM, an employee-owned corporation, is committed to investing in employees’ futures through professional development programs and opportunities for career advancement. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including generous PTO, flexible schedule, and assistance with tuition reimbursement. Additionally, employees are eligible to enroll in health, dental, vision, and life insurance on their first day of employment.

IMEM is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), gender, national origin, disability, age, genetic information (including family medical history), parental status (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation), ethnic origin, hair type (including hairstyle or hair texture), citizenship status, marital status, military service, veteran’s status, political affiliation, non-merit-based factors, or any other characteristic protected by law. In accordance with antidiscrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to put into effect these principles and mandates. IMEM prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. IMEM conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations. All applicants have the right to request access, correction, and deletion of their personal information from our system. In order to make a request, please email [e-mail].

As a people-centered engineering firm we know IMEM’s brand is centered around the technical skills of our people. We are 100% employee-owned and we value the collective abilities, expertise, and continuity of our team members. We understand the importance of an engaged culture and the power of teamwork. We believe in investing in our people and their professional futures through continuous training, community involvement, and the ability to develop a niche specialty. We also believe in committing to the same sustainability ideals we encourage for our clients – a practice of reduce, reuse, and recycle. We are IMEM.