Graduate Lighting Designer

This entry-level built environment consultancy graduate scheme trains architecture and engineering graduates at Ridge to assist with concept development, perform lighting calculations, and create technical design specifications for public and private sector property developments.

Your opportunity

Do you want to help create better places for people to live, learn and work?

At Ridge, that’s what we do every day. As a built environment consultancy, we work across public and private sectors on everything from new developments to regeneration and refurbishment projects—helping our clients achieve meaningful, lasting impact through technical expertise and collaborative support.

Are you a creative and curious graduate looking to kickstart your career in lighting design? Our Manchester-based Lighting Design team is growing, and we’re looking for an enthusiastic Graduate Lighting Designer to join us. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a supportive, collaborative team where you’ll gain hands-on experience across a wide range of exciting projects.

From day one, you’ll be involved in real project work—supporting the development of innovative lighting solutions while building your technical and professional skills with guidance from experienced colleagues.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting the delivery of lighting design projects across a variety of sectors

• Assisting with concept development, design proposals, drawings and specifications

• Contributing to lighting calculations and technical analysis

• Supporting site visits and surveys

• Collaborating with architects, engineers and other consultants

• Attending project and design meetings, gaining exposure to client interactions

• Helping to develop creative solutions that enhance spaces for people and the environment

About you

• You have a relevant degree (e.g. Lighting Design, Architecture, Engineering or similar)

• You have a genuine interest in lighting design and the built environment

• You’re eager to learn, proactive, and enjoy working as part of a team

• You have good communication skills and are confident sharing ideas

• You may have some familiarity with design software (not essential — we’ll support your development)

About us

We are Ridge, a Built Environment Consultancy. We help our clients transform the quality and sustainability of the built environment.

Our 1,400+ people bring a vast range of skills, delivering a professional mindset, gritty discipline and a genuine passion to every one of the thousands of projects they undertake each year. They’re the foundation of our success - they drive our vision, embody our values and separate us from the competition.

Come and join us if you’re hungry to be part of an exceptional team - if you put quality first - if you’re motivated by ingenuity and if you’re always aspiring to be the very best.