Lighting Designer
Somewhere
Hirezar Summary for South African Applicants
This fully remote full time position at Somewhere explicitly welcomes applicants based in South Africa. As a remote position, you can work from anywhere in South Africa — whether you're based in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or a smaller town.
Job Description
Architectural Lighting Designer
Location:Fully remote (international design team)Employment type:Full-timeCollaboration hours:Meaningful daily overlap with European (CET) business hoursLanguage:Strong written and spoken English required · French or other languages a plus
About the Company
We are a fast-scaling European company building integrated, invisible home-technology systems — lighting, ventilation, power, and security — for the world's leading architects.
Since launching our first flagship product in 2021, we have grown into a fully integrated ecosystem, driven by a strong R&D focus and a targeted acquisition strategy. Our team spans Europe, North America, and the Middle East, and we are expanding quickly across all three regions.
About the Role
We are hiring an Architectural Lighting Designer to add design capacity as our project pipeline with architects and clients grows.
For us, lighting is more than illumination — it is storytelling. In this role you will help translate architectural and interior concepts into lighting schemes that are beautiful, technically precise, and buildable. You will work alongside our designers, sales team, and the architects themselves to take projects from first concept through to completion, making sure the lighting layer of every space lives up to the quality of our products.
Key Responsibilities
Lighting Concept & Design Development
* Develop lighting designs that elevate architecture and interiors.
* Translate architect and interior-designer concepts into clear lighting specifications.
Technical Documentation & Visualization
* Produce technical drawings and lighting calculations.
* Create 3D visualizations and renderings that bring concepts to life for clients and stakeholders.
Product Research & Specification
* Research and select the right fixtures, materials, and technologies for each project.
Collaboration & Delivery
* Partner with sales, design, and architecture stakeholders to ensure seamless execution from concept to completion in a fast-moving, international environment.
Innovation & Standards
* Stay ahead of trends, product innovation, and sustainability practices in lighting design.
Required Qualifications
* Degree in Lighting Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Illumination/Electrical Engineering, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience backed by a strong portfolio.
* 2–8 years of experience as a lighting designer or in a closely related design role
* Proficiency in AutoCAD and in lighting-calculation software (Dialux and/or Relux).
* Proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop.
* 3D visualization skills (3ds Max, Rhino, SketchUp, or similar).
* A portfolio demonstrating lighting and/or architectural design work.
* Strong written and spoken English for daily work in an international team.
* Strong organizational and communication skills.
* Comfortable operating remotely in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder, international context.
Preferred Qualifications
* Experience with architectural, residential, or high-end/luxury lighting projects.
* Familiarity with Revit or BIM workflows.
* Knowledge of energy-efficiency and sustainability standards in lighting.
* Experience collaborating directly with architects and interior designers.
* French or additional languages.
Ideal Candidate Profile
You are genuinely passionate about lighting and its impact on how a space feels. You have a keen eye for aesthetics paired with real technical precision, and you care about the details. You are self-directed and dependable in a remote setting, collaborative with cross-border teams, and naturally curious about new products, techniques, and trends.
Why Join Us
* A fast-scaling international company with the ambition to lead its market.
* A warm, family-driven culture where you will feel at home quickly.
* An inspiring team where ambition and collaboration go hand in hand.
* A genuinely challenging scope with room to learn and grow.
* A competitive salary package tailored to your experience and skills.
* Fully remote work as part of an international lighting design team.
Assessment
Because this role is portfolio-driven, candidates should be prepared to walk through past lighting projects — including technical drawings, calculations, and renderings — and may be asked to complete a short design exercise so we can calibrate on both aesthetic sensibility and technical execution.
Tips for South African Applicants
Timezone Advantage
South Africa (SAST, UTC+2) overlaps well with European business hours and has a few hours of overlap with US East Coast. Mention your timezone flexibility in your application.
Salary in Context
Even without a listed salary, international remote roles typically pay 2-3x more than equivalent local positions in South Africa due to the exchange rate advantage.
Application Tips
Tailor your CV to international standards — use a clean format, highlight remote work experience, and include your English proficiency. Many SA applicants succeed by emphasising their strong work ethic and cultural adaptability.
Load Shedding Preparedness
If you're applying for a remote role, having a backup power solution (UPS, inverter, or generator) and mobile data as a backup internet connection shows employers you're prepared for South Africa's infrastructure challenges.
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About Somewhere
Somewhere is a company in the Recruitment & Staffing industry that hires remote workers from South Africa. They currently have 1644 open positions on Hirezar. View all Somewhere jobs →