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Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are!
We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration. Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world.
We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of:
Collaborative Creativity: We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities.
Provocative Playfulness: We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.
Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong.
Authentic Compassion: We are “kind punks” - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in.
Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art.
If this all sounds like YOU, read on….
Job Description:
Job Disclosures:
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Compensation: The base salary for this position starts at $83,584. Compensation may vary based on location and experience.
Job Summary:
At Meow Wolf, lighting is more than illumination — it’s storytelling. The Lighting Developer helps bring our immersive worlds to life by blending creative lighting design with technical systems engineering and interactive programming. This role sits at the intersection of art and technology, building innovative light-based experiences that integrate with sound, video, sensors, and electromechanical elements. As a member of the Creative Technology team, this role collaborates with Lighting Designers, Tech Fabricators, Technical Systems Designers, Creative Engineers, and Show Systems Programmers to transform creative intent into fully realized lighting experiences. From hand-held interactive installations, to world sized pixel mapped LED arrays and theatrical rigs, this role pushes the expressive power of light as a storytelling medium.
Key Responsibilities:
Work collaboratively with key stakeholders to design innovative lighting solutions that support project lighting designs and the project creative intent.
Research and prototype experimental lighting approaches, exploring emerging lighting, interactive, and control technologies to drive creative innovation
Translate creative lighting concepts into precise technical requirements and execution plans, ensuring compatibility with technical infrastructure.
Oversee and/or lead the integration of custom lighting fixtures and/or systems into larger architectural, environmental, and electromechanical systems, reviewing wiring, documentation, and low-voltage power distribution design for code compliance.
Coordinate cue lists, sequences, triggers, and monitoring to ensure synchronization with audio, video, and interactives.
Create thorough documentation for installation, operation, and long-term maintenance.
Required Qualifications
5+ years of experience in theatrical, live event, or themed entertainment lighting design and control systems.
Proficiency with electrical circuits, low-voltage systems, and electromechanical integration.
Proficiency with lighting control software and protocols (e.g., ETC EOS, Mosaic, DMX-512/Art-Net/sACN).
Proficiency with lighting design software (AutoCAD, Vectorworks).
Proficiency in scripting (eg. Lua, JavaScript, Node.JS, SQL, C/C++, C#, etc.)
Experience with physical computing, programming microcontrollers (Arduino or similar), and interactive environments (TouchDesigner, Max/MSP, Python).
Familiarity with photometric performance and thermal management.
Familiarity with networking management, configuration, deployment, and operation including VLANs, routing, QoS, IGMP, PTP
Familiarity with 3D modeling and BIM (Revit)
Familiarity with show control and network protocols (OSC, MIDI, TCP/UDP, timecode).
Strong documentation skills and the ability to translate creative ideas into precise technical requirements.
Detail-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about pushing what light can do in immersive art.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Lighting Design, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
Certifications such as ETC Authorized Service Provider, APT Systems & Networking Training, and Q-SYS / Dante certifications
Familiarity with animatronics, kinetic sculptures, or IoT devices.
Familiarity with Pre-Viz tools and environments (eg. GDTF, MVR, OpenGL, etc.).
Work Environment and Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. This position also works in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines and small and/ or enclosed spaces.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs/slides/elevators, and navigate the elements during the day and night. Employee may be required to remain in a sitting or standing position for prolonged periods, and repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Schedule:
This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
This position does not require supervisory responsibility.
Travel
This position will require moderate travel (25%-30%)
During the design phases, this position will require some business travel (10%-25%). During the production and installation phases, this position will require extensive travel (30%+) unless already located near to site.)
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
IMPACT: Meow Wolf is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.
INCLUSION: Meow Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions at Meow Wolf are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
BENEFITS:
The choices we make concerning our benefits during enrollment periods are among the most important we select for ourselves and our families. As part of the total compensation package for full-time employees, Meow Wolf offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.
Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP*
Dental and Vision Insurance*
HSA, HRA, and FSA options*
401k Retirement Plan
Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)*
Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies*
Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes
Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests
*Regular or Project Based Full-time positions
Please visit www.meowwolf.com/careers for more information.