Lighting Design Intern - Summer 2027

WSP in the U.S.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Lighting Design Intern for Summer 2027 to work from our Arlington, VA office with consideration also in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA. You will join a team of designers and engineers on real projects from concept through construction, gaining hands-on experience in lighting design and related technical disciplines.

This 12-week summer internship starts May 17, 2027, with a focus on developing technical, social, and ethical skills in architectural lighting.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in accredited Lighting Design or related program with Aug 2027 graduation or later.
• Authorized to work in the United States at internship start.
• Interest in architectural lighting, daylighting, lighting controls, sustainability, and emerging technologies.
• Ability to take direction from mentors and manage projects.

Responsibilities

• Support architectural lighting design tasks to develop technical, social, and ethical skills.
• Learn the fundamental principles of architectural lighting design.
• Support lighting designers on a variety of project types and market sectors.
• Perform lighting calculations and assist with lighting analysis using industry‑standard tools.
• Prepare materials for client presentations, design reviews, and project meetings.
• Assist with lighting mock‑ups, product evaluations, and design studies.
• Participate in project research, field investigations, and site observations.
• Help prepare design documentation, specifications, and technical deliverables.
• Support construction‑phase services, including responses to RFIs and shop drawing reviews.
• Assist in collecting, organizing, and maintaining project documentation.
• Participate in collaborative design discussions with architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors, and other project stakeholders.

Skills

Presentation skills

Graphic communication

Problem solving

Education

Lighting Design or related undergraduate program

Masters or PhD in Lighting Design or related

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

AGi32

Visual

Rhino

Grasshopper

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Description

At WSP, lighting is more than a building system. It is a powerful design tool that shapes human experience, supports wellbeing, enhances sustainability, and brings architecture to life. Our lighting designers combine creative ingenuity with deep technical expertise to deliver human-centered and environmentally conscious lighting solutions across the built environment. From workplaces and healthcare facilities to public spaces, cultural venues, transportation hubs, and urban environments, we help clients create remarkable places through the thoughtful application of light.

As a Lighting Design Intern, you will work alongside award-winning designers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams on real projects from concept through construction. You will gain hands‑on experience, technical knowledge, and exposure to the profession while helping create lighting solutions that improve how people experience the world around them.

Our Lighting Team is seeking a full‑time Lighting Design Intern – Summer 2027 to work out of our Arlington, VA office. The following locations will also be considered: Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA. This temporary position is seeking individuals currently enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate degree program focused on lighting design.

This internship will be part of the WSP Summer Internship Program. As a summer intern, you have the opportunity to participate in our 12‑week program scheduled to start on May 17th, 2027. The individual start date of the internship may be flexible.

Your Impact

• Support a variety of architectural lighting design tasks with the goal to develop technical, social, and ethical skills.
• Learn the fundamental principles of architectural lighting design.
• Support lighting designers on a variety of project types and market sectors.
• Perform lighting calculations and assist with lighting analysis using industry‑standard tools.
• Prepare materials for client presentations, design reviews, and project meetings.
• Assist with lighting mock‑ups, product evaluations, and design studies.
• Participate in project research, field investigations, and site observations.
• Help prepare design documentation, specifications, and technical deliverables.
• Support construction‑phase services, including responses to requests for information and shop drawing reviews.
• Assist in collecting, organizing, and maintaining project documentation.
• Participate in collaborative design discussions with architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors, and other project stakeholders.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
• Please note that there is no relocation or housing assistance associated with this internship.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in an accredited Lighting Design, Architectural Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, Electrical Engineering, or related, Undergraduate program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2027 or later.
• Must be 18 or older.
• Demonstrated interest in architectural lighting, daylighting, lighting controls, sustainability, and emerging technologies, or related field, and have a strong desire to advance skills related to WSP’s work and projects.
• Capable of taking direction from leadership, mentors, and managers to executive projects.
• Strong presentation, graphic communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with design and visualization software such as Revit, AutoCAD, AGi32, Visual, Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Authorization to work in the United States at the start of the internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Actively enrolled in an accredited Lighting Design, Architectural Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, Electrical Engineering, or related, Masters or PhD program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2027 or later.
• Experience using Revit, AutoCAD, AGi32, Visual, Rhino, Grasshopper, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Prior internship and leadership involvement on campus.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $23.03 - $32.22
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.