Senior Associate, Lighting Design

Legence; New York (NY); On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Health & Welfare Benefits

Life and Disability Insurance

Time Off

Job summary

Legence seeks a Senior Associate, Lighting Design for its ALD Lighting business unit in Midtown Manhattan. The candidate will lead lighting design projects, manage scope, schedule, and budget, and serve as primary client contact, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

The role requires 10+ years in lighting design, proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and AGI, and familiarity with NYC regulations. Opportunity to mentor staff and shape a growing NYC lighting practice within Legence.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in lighting design with project management responsibility.
• Proven experience managing project scope, schedule, fees, and budgets from concept through construction administration.
• Strong client interfacing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and AGI for lighting design and documentation.
• Familiarity with NYC market and regulatory requirements.
• Portfolio demonstrating a diverse range of lighting design projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple lighting design projects from concept through construction administration.
• Develop and maintain project scopes, fees, schedules, and staffing plans; track budgets and hours.
• Serve as primary client contact; lead meetings, set expectations, manage deliverables and approvals.
• Coordinate with architects, interior designers, engineers, and contractors to resolve conflicts.
• Review design deliverables for quality, accuracy, and consistency before release.
• Manage construction administration activities: submittals, RFIs, shop drawings, mock-ups, site visits, punch lists.
• Develop and present creative lighting concepts tailored to client needs.
• Use AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, and AGI for documentation and photometric modeling.
• Conduct on-site evaluations and recommend improvements.
• Support proposal development and growth of NY lighting practice.
• Mentor and allocate work to junior team members; help build the NY lighting team.
• Stay updated on industry trends and sustainable lighting practices.

Skills

Lighting design

Project management

Client interfacing

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Lighting Design or Architectural Design

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

AGI

Job description

CMTA (formerly AMA Group), a Legence company
CMTA is one of the fastest-growing engineering firms in the U.S., known for sustainable, high-performance building systems and complex MEP/FP delivery. Through AMA’s design expertise in media, broadcast, and production facilities—and CMTA’s national portfolio in education, healthcare, and zero-energy projects,we pair deep technical craft with an innovative, collaborative culture that accelerates careers.

Position Overview:

ALD Lighting, a Business Unit of AMA Group, seeks a highly skilled and experienced Senior Associate, Lighting Design to join our team. The ideal candidate will have 10+ years of professional experience in lighting design, with a strong background in project management, client interfacing, AutoCAD, Revit, and AGI. You will be based out of our Mid-Town Manhattan Office.

This position is for a senior-level project manager who will own project delivery from concept through construction. You will be working alongside the New York Principal in a unique opportunity. You will be at the ground level and help build out our New York lighting team. This role is a key part of our new NYC story.

Who We Are?

ALD Lighting (ALD), a business unit of AMA Group, ALD Lighting is a unique firm offering integrated design services beyond aesthetics and engineering. Our lighting design experience encompasses expertise in hospitality, creative offices, higher education, media, campuses, entertainment, gaming, private, and multi-family residential homes, as well as theme park attractions. We are nationally recognized with offices located in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, and New Jersey.

Role Responsibilities:

As a Senior Associate, you will serve as a project manager and day-to-day lead on a portfolio of lighting design projects. Your responsibilities will include managing project scope, schedule, and budget, serving as a primary client contact, advancing project design, and guiding the project team. In your role, you will:

• Lead and manage multiple concurrent lighting design projects from concept through construction administration, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on scope, and within budget
• Develop and maintain project scopes, fees, schedules, and staffing plans; track budgets and hours, and proactively manage changes in scope and additional services
• Serve as a primary client contact: lead client and design team meetings, set expectations, and manage communication, deliverables, and approvals
• Coordinate with architects, interior designers, engineers, and contractors to resolve conflicts and keep projects moving across disciplines
• Review project deliverables for design quality, technical accuracy, and consistency before release
• Manage construction administration activities, including submittals, RFIs, shop drawing review, mock-ups, site visits, and punch lists
• Develop and present creative and innovative lighting concepts and designs tailored to client requirements
• Guide the use of AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite to present ideas and produce detailed lighting plans and documentation, and AGI to photometrically model and test designs
• Conduct on-site evaluations to assess existing lighting conditions and make recommendations for improvement
• Support proposal development and business development efforts to help grow the New York lighting practice
• Mentor, supervise, and allocate work among junior members of the design team, and help build out the New York lighting team
• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and sustainable lighting practices

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Lighting Design or Architectural Design required

Experience

• 10+ years of hands‑on experience in lighting design, including project management responsibility on multiple concurrent projects
• Demonstrated experience managing project scope, schedule, fees, and budgets from concept through construction administration
• Proven client interfacing experience, showcasing effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience leading and mentoring junior designers and collaborating within multidisciplinary teams
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and AGI software for lighting design and documentation
• Strong portfolio demonstrating a diverse range of successful lighting design projects
• Familiarity with the New York City market and regulatory requirements
• Exceptional organization, problem‑solving skills, and attention to detail
• Knowledge of sustainable lighting practices and emerging technologies

Salary

$125,000. This role is also eligible for an annual performance‑based bonus. Bonus eligibility and payout are determined by role, individual performance, and company performance, and are not guaranteed.

The Employee Experience

People are at the heart of what we do. We’re committed to a diverse, inclusive culture where employees thrive—individually and as a team—with development, wellness, and day‑to‑day experience front and center. We offer competitive benefits and a collaborative, fun work environment. Our team was named “Best Engineering Firm to Work” for by Best Companies Group for 2024, 2025, and 2026—a people‑first standard AMA continues as they integrate with CMTA.

About Legence

Legence (Nasdaq: LGN) is a leading provider of engineering, consulting, installation, and maintenance services for mission‑critical systems in buildings. The company specializes in designing, fabricating, and installing complex HVAC, process piping, and other mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems—enhancing energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in new and existing facilities. Legence also delivers long‑term performance through strategic upgrades and holistic solutions. Serving some of the world’s most technically demanding sectors, Legence counts over 60% of the Nasdaq‑100 Index among its clients.

Benefits Overview

401(k) Plan with Company Match: Currently match contributions dollar‑for‑dollar up to 4% of eligible pay; immediate vesting.
Health & Welfare Benefits: Employer provided medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, Employee Assistance Program and accident & illness coverage.
Life and Disability Insurance: Employer provided basic life insurance and AD&D valued at 50K coverage amount with the option for voluntary buy up for additional coverage.
Time Off: Flexible non‑accrual vacation; company holidays per policy. (For California employees, this is separate from California paid sick leave, if applicable.)
Expenses: Business travel and related expenses reimbursed per company policy.

Reasonable Accommodations

If you need assistance or accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail] or your dedicated recruiter with the job title and requisition number.

Employment Eligibility

Candidates must have current work authorization in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Pay Disclosure & Considerations

Where pay ranges are indicated, please note that a successful candidate’s exact pay will be determined based relevant job‑related factors, including any of the following: candidate’s experience, skills, and qualifications, as well as geographic and market considerations. We are committed to ensuring fair and competitive compensation for all employees and comply with all applicable salary transparency laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Legence and its affiliate companies are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital or familial status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, other non‑merit‑based factors, and any other characteristic protected under applicable local, state or federal laws and regulations.
EEO is the Law