Lighting Designer

Join Buro Happold’s global lighting team and help shape exceptional, sustainable environments that leave a lasting impact. You’ll lead projects that blend creativity, science, and storytelling - pushing the boundaries of what light can do.

This is your chance to take ownership, influence design at every stage, and bring bold ideas to life in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.

We're looking for a talented and experienced Lighting Designer to join our growing Shanghai office and play a leading role on a landmark higher-education project in Eastern China. This is a rare opportunity to lead a unique project collaborating with global teams including a signature, international architect. Beyond this, there could also be scope to help shape and expand Buro Happold's lighting presence in China, leading the growth of our local capability in collaboration with a global network of lighting specialists across Europe, the UK, and North America.

The position is offered on a 12-month fixed term contract with the option for a permanent position should both sides wish to pursue.

The Role

• Lead from the front - driving lighting design from early concept through to final delivery
• Be a trusted voice for clients, representing Buro Happold with confidence in meetings, workshops, and reviews
• Take charge of project delivery, coordination, site visits, and commissioning stages
• Collaborate with lighting teams and other disciplines around globe, including in the US, UK, and Europe.
• Contribute to the growth, reputation, and creative culture of the global lighting community.

Your skills and experience

• Degree in Lighting, Architecture, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Significant experience delivering exceptional lighting design projects
• Outstanding conceptual skills and a strong design sensibility paired with solid technical expertise and confidence in specification.
• Excellent knowledge of local lighting products.
• Proficiency in Revit and photometric modelling software is required.
• Proficiency in Rhino and 3DS Max is highly advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of relevant standards, regulations, and best practice in the China market.
• Fluency in Mandarin and English (written and verbal) is essential.

Please be prepared to present your portfolio if you move to interview stage.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [email protected] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.

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