Principal Lighting Designer

Principal Lighting Designer (Maternity Cover – 1 Year)
Location: Oxford / London / Cambridge

We are an ambitious building services consultancy with more than 60 staff across multiple UK offices, delivering high-quality solutions in specialist lighting design, MEP, sustainability, building physics and Passivhaus. Our vision is to be a leading consultancy delivering excellence in design and engineering for better buildings that benefit both occupants and the environment.

We work across diverse sectors including Heritage and Conservation, Hospitality, Education, Commercial, Private Developments, Rail and Transport Infrastructure, Healthcare, and Public/Community spaces, collaborating with architects, developers, private clients, major contractors, project managers and cost consultants.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Principal Lighting Designer to join our specialist lighting team on a 12-month maternity cover contract, with potential for a permanent role due to ongoing team and company growth.

You will have significant experience leading project teams, managing resources efficiently, and delivering high-quality technical lighting projects across multiple sectors. You will confidently attend meetings—both in person and remotely—with clients, architects, engineers and contractors, working on projects across the UK and occasionally overseas. Experience within the heritage sector is particularly advantageous.

What You’ll Do

You will lead and deliver lighting projects from initial concept to handover, working collaboratively with colleagues across all disciplines. Responsibilities include:

• Leading team resource planning and commercial reviews

• Conducting surveys and establishing clear client briefs

• Producing feasibility studies and concept design reports

• Preparing detailed project design documentation and technical specifications

• Undertaking on-site inspections and supporting contract administration

• Overseeing and witnessing commissioning activities

• Managing client handover meetings

What We’re Looking For

Essential Requirements:

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in professional lighting design

• Knowledge of historic buildings and associated working practices

• Strong track record collaborating with clients, architects, surveyors and contractors

• Ability to deliver mixed-scale projects semi-autonomously

• Excellent understanding of SLL Guidelines and common lighting standards

• A collaborative, inquisitive mindset with strong initiative and communication skills

• Excellent attention to detail

• Strong technical proficiency with lighting design software, Microsoft Office and AutoCAD

• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (beneficial due to remote project locations)

Desirable:

• Experience with Revit

• Experience completing lighting impact assessments

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Career growth, training and development opportunities

• A range of staff perks, including:

  • Paid social events (summer parties, Christmas parties, team lunches, activity days)

  • Private healthcare

  • Employee reward platforms

  • Additional holiday purchase scheme

  • Cycle to work scheme

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to fostering diversity and inclusion across our organisation.