Theme Lighting Designer Sr - Project Hire
The Walt Disney Company, Glendale, CA, United States
Theme Lighting Designer Senior – Project Hire
Job ID
10149447
Location
Glendale, California, United States
Business
Walt Disney Imagineering
Date posted
Apr. 23, 2026
Job Summary Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.
Theme Lighting brings the Disney difference to our Parks and Resorts. We design, document, and facilitate the production of specialty Theme Lighting fixtures for various projects including theme park attractions, restaurants, shops, area development, and resorts. Our fixtures help to evoke the emotional resonance that transforms a space from merely functional into something memorable—shaping atmosphere, guiding perception, and creating a deeper connection between our guests and the environment.
The
Theme Lighting Designer Senior
researches and identifies readily available items or fixtures, as well as crafts uniquely original custom pieces to meet specific project requirements. The Theme Lighting Designer Senior develops and works within budgets and schedules to meet the project needs, leads the design work of junior designers, and develops teams of designers to complete fabrication drawings.
What You Will Do
Work with project teams to develop fixture designs that support the story and illumination needs.
Identify, research, and specify specialty items to meet creative intent.
Lead a team of other specialty designers to detail and achieve the design goals of a project within code and maintenance accessibility requirements.
Consult with the Department Manager for the allocation of staff resources.
Work with WDI Theme Lighting Production team to adapt designs to meet creative and budget requirements.
Track scope through design and provide budgetary estimates to project leadership in support of project needs.
Work within the project schedule and provide phased inputs for design development and facility integration.
Provide fabrication design support for WDI Theme Lighting Production team.
Travel to project sites to supervise and survey vendor production if needed and direct field installation on a project construction site.
Assign and manage design and drawing work to team members aligned with the project.
Share responsibilities for quality, timeliness, and efficiency of the project team in the execution of design documentation.
Assist Junior Designers to understand fabrication methods, materiality, code requirements, etc.
Required Qualifications & Skills
Minimum 6 years experience in practice in the design and production of specialty items.
A minimum of two years leading a team of designers and the creation of contract documents.
Excellent team participation skills.
Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate optimally in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
Ability to clearly present research and designs to Creative Directors.
Ability to draft/draw by hand.
Experience in specialty item or fixture design.
Software proficiency: REVIT, AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks or other 3D modeling programs, and Adobe Creative Suite.
Technical Skills
Knowledge and direct use of computer systems and software used by WDI for drafting, design, project tracking systems, and business communications.
Understanding how to build or fabricate various specialty items.
Understanding materials, fabrication techniques, maintenance access needs, and compliance with specific regional codes.
Reading and understanding architectural drawings and interfaces.
Collaborating with Project Show Managers and Studio Manager to status design progress.
Strong familiarity with reading and using architectural documents.
Participating and directing oversight of installation on site with Project Teams if needed.
Education Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program preferred.
Benefits and Perks Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
Compensation The hiring range for this position in Lake Buena Vista, FL is $100,100.00 to $134,200.00 per year and in Glendale, CA is $105,100.00 to $140,900.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Equal Employment Opportunity Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications The Walt Disney Company and its affiliated companies welcome all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
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10149447
Location
Glendale, California, United States
Business
Walt Disney Imagineering
Date posted
Apr. 23, 2026
Job Summary Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs, and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions, and cruise ships worldwide. Working across a spectrum of disciplines that range from creative and conceptual to scientific and technical, Imagineers blend an innovative mixture of storytelling, art, science, and technology to create immersive experiences, memorable destinations, and innovative entertainment for families around the globe.
Theme Lighting brings the Disney difference to our Parks and Resorts. We design, document, and facilitate the production of specialty Theme Lighting fixtures for various projects including theme park attractions, restaurants, shops, area development, and resorts. Our fixtures help to evoke the emotional resonance that transforms a space from merely functional into something memorable—shaping atmosphere, guiding perception, and creating a deeper connection between our guests and the environment.
The
Theme Lighting Designer Senior
researches and identifies readily available items or fixtures, as well as crafts uniquely original custom pieces to meet specific project requirements. The Theme Lighting Designer Senior develops and works within budgets and schedules to meet the project needs, leads the design work of junior designers, and develops teams of designers to complete fabrication drawings.
What You Will Do
Work with project teams to develop fixture designs that support the story and illumination needs.
Identify, research, and specify specialty items to meet creative intent.
Lead a team of other specialty designers to detail and achieve the design goals of a project within code and maintenance accessibility requirements.
Consult with the Department Manager for the allocation of staff resources.
Work with WDI Theme Lighting Production team to adapt designs to meet creative and budget requirements.
Track scope through design and provide budgetary estimates to project leadership in support of project needs.
Work within the project schedule and provide phased inputs for design development and facility integration.
Provide fabrication design support for WDI Theme Lighting Production team.
Travel to project sites to supervise and survey vendor production if needed and direct field installation on a project construction site.
Assign and manage design and drawing work to team members aligned with the project.
Share responsibilities for quality, timeliness, and efficiency of the project team in the execution of design documentation.
Assist Junior Designers to understand fabrication methods, materiality, code requirements, etc.
Required Qualifications & Skills
Minimum 6 years experience in practice in the design and production of specialty items.
A minimum of two years leading a team of designers and the creation of contract documents.
Excellent team participation skills.
Good communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate optimally in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
Ability to clearly present research and designs to Creative Directors.
Ability to draft/draw by hand.
Experience in specialty item or fixture design.
Software proficiency: REVIT, AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks or other 3D modeling programs, and Adobe Creative Suite.
Technical Skills
Knowledge and direct use of computer systems and software used by WDI for drafting, design, project tracking systems, and business communications.
Understanding how to build or fabricate various specialty items.
Understanding materials, fabrication techniques, maintenance access needs, and compliance with specific regional codes.
Reading and understanding architectural drawings and interfaces.
Collaborating with Project Show Managers and Studio Manager to status design progress.
Strong familiarity with reading and using architectural documents.
Participating and directing oversight of installation on site with Project Teams if needed.
Education Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program preferred.
Benefits and Perks Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.
Compensation The hiring range for this position in Lake Buena Vista, FL is $100,100.00 to $134,200.00 per year and in Glendale, CA is $105,100.00 to $140,900.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Equal Employment Opportunity Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is an equal‑opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.
Disability Accommodation for Employment Applications The Walt Disney Company and its affiliated companies welcome all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr