Chief Lighting Technician Jobs
Chief Lighting Technician jobs are open across film, television, theater, and live events production, from crew-level gaffer roles to department-head positions, with specializations in LED and DMX programming, practical effects lighting, and concert touring rigs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Job Overview
As a Seasonal Holiday Lighting Technician, you’ll install, inspect, troubleshoot, and remove seasonal lighting and related displays at residential and commercial properties. You’ll use electrical diagnostics, mechanical knowledge, and technical drawings to complete work safely and neatly. Your impact: Reliable installations help customers enjoy festive displays while keeping their properties safe and accessible.
Responsibilities
- Install, connect, and test lighting, wiring, timers, and display components according to project plans and safety procedures.
- Diagnose electrical issues using critical rhinking and other appropriate tools; repair or replace faulty components.
- Interpret schematics and technical drawings to plan installations and identify connection points.
- Inspect, maintain, and organize tools, equipment, and materials; document repairs and report equipment concerns.
- Remove displays after the season, protect reusable materials, and leave work areas clean.
Requirements
- Comfortable working at heights. Able to safely set up, climb, and work from ladders along rooflines and other elevated areas while following crew safety procedures.
- Able to handle physical outdoor work. The job involves carrying ladders and bins, working overhead, and spending much of the day on your feet in cold weather.
- Dependable and punctual. Show up on time, have reliable transportation to the designated meeting location, and communicate promptly about scheduling issues.
- Available during the holiday season. Be available for fall installations, in-season service calls, and January takedowns. Some shifts may move due to weather.
- Detail-oriented and respectful of customers’ property. Keep bulb spacing consistent, secure cords neatly, and leave each job site clean.
- Works well on a crew. Follow directions, communicate clearly, and help load, unload, and organize equipment.
Pay: $21.00 - $28.65 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 – 65.0 per week
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- On-the-job training
- Referral program
- Tools provided
Work Location: In person
Chief Lighting Technician Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsChief Lighting Technician Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Lowe's Home Improvement17
- Rogers12
- Stones River Electric12
- Signify10
- Leaf Home9
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Education
- Automotive
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in chief lighting technician jobs.
- Minimum five years of experience as a gaffer or lighting technician on professional productions
- Proficiency with DMX consoles, moving lights, and LED fixture systems
- ETCP certification in Entertainment Electrical or Rigging
- Experience reading and executing lighting plots and electrical distribution drawings
- Ability to supervise and coordinate a lighting crew on set or in a venue
- Knowledge of power distribution, load calculations, and generator operation
Tips for Your Chief Lighting Technician Job Search
List your gear credits by project
Hiring department heads and production managers want to see the specific fixtures, consoles, and rigs you've operated, not just job titles. Name the boards, moving lights, and dimmer systems you've run on actual productions in your resume's experience section.
Get your ETCP certification current
Many union and larger-budget productions require an Entertainment Technician Certification Program credential before an offer clears. If yours has lapsed or you haven't tested yet, prioritize it before applying to studio, arena, or touring roles.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists chief lighting technician openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Tailor your reel to the production type
A reel cut for narrative film won't land the same way at a live-event or broadcast employer. Restructure your sample work to front-load footage that matches the production format in the job listing before you apply.
Prep for the technical walkthrough interview
Many gaffer and chief lighting technician interviews include a scenario question where you're asked to design a lighting plan for a specific scene or stage configuration on the spot. Practice talking through fixture selection, power load calculations, and fallback options out loud before your interview.
Negotiate your kit rental rate separately
Many production offers separate your day rate from equipment rental fees for your personal gear. Treat these as two distinct line items in any negotiation and confirm kit rental terms in writing before accepting, since they're often left off initial offers.
Chief Lighting Technician Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most chief lighting technicians?
The companies hiring the most chief lighting technicians right now include Lowe's Home Improvement, Rogers, and Stones River Electric, with the largest share of openings in California, Florida, and Michigan, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Production volume in film, television, and live events drives most of the demand at these employers.
How many chief lighting technician jobs are remote?
About 33% of chief lighting technician openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most of the role requires hands-on work on set, on stage, or in a venue. Pre-production planning, lighting design drafting, and production coordination tasks are the sub-areas most likely to allow remote or hybrid arrangements.
How do you become a chief lighting technician?
Start by working as a production assistant or lamp operator on film, television, or live event crews to learn fixture types, power distribution, and on-set protocol. Progress through electrician and best boy electric roles to build crew leadership experience. Earning an ETCP certification strengthens your credentials for department-head positions, and union membership through IATSE opens access to larger-budget productions.
Can you get hired as a chief lighting technician with little experience?
Entry into the chief lighting technician role itself is competitive, but breaking in through lower-rung crew positions is a realistic path. Working as a lamp operator or electrician on student films, local theater, or small live events builds the hands-on reel and professional references that production companies look for when promoting or hiring into the chief role.
What does the chief lighting technician interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a production coordinator or department head reviewing your resume and reel, followed by a phone or video call covering your production history and crew management experience. Final interviews often include a scenario-based technical discussion where you walk through how you'd approach the lighting design and power plan for a specific production type, and sometimes a brief in-person or on-site walkthrough.
Where can I find and apply to chief lighting technician jobs?
You can find and apply to chief lighting technician jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and production background, then apply directly to each one that fits.
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