A Lighting Technician sets up, maintains, and dismantles light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions. May focus or operate light fixtures, attach color filters or other lighting accessories.
Rooted in the intersection of fashion, photography, art, and media, Milk Studios has spent nearly three decades establishing itself as one of the most influential forces in the studio and production landscape. What began as a single studio space in Manhattan's Meatpacking District has grown into a full-service creative ecosystem, supporting thousands of productions each year for the world's leading brands, agencies, and independent artists. The Los Angeles facility at 855 N. Cahuenga Boulevard houses seven professionally appointed stages alongside dedicated equipment prep, storage, and logistics spaces. Milk Studios' clients range from top-tier commercial photographers and directors to major advertising agencies and global fashion houses — its reputation is built on a standard of execution that clients trust production after production. Working at Milk means more than filling a role — it means joining a company where creative excellence is the standard, where you'll handle some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the industry, and where your daily work directly supports productions seen around the world.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a skilled Grip & Lighting Technician to join our Equipment Operations team. In this role, you will be responsible for the preparation, maintenance, and logistics of professional grip and lighting equipment at studio facility and our locations department, which services productions throughout Los Angeles and beyond. This position is on our closing shift (3:00 PM - midnight or later), a critical operational role that ensures all studio stages and location orders are fully prepped and staged for the following day's productions. The closing team plays a vital role in Milk's daily operations, and every member of the equipment department has worked this shift for a minimum of one year before growing into other roles within the company.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Prepare and wrap equipment for all seven studio stages, ensuring each is correctly configured for upcoming productions Build, verify, and stage location equipment orders for client pickup and delivery Receive, inspect, clean, test, and inventory all returning equipment to maintain quality standards Fulfill in-studio client additions and equipment requests via the equipment room Organize and maintain equipment inventory across multiple facilities Load and unload cargo vans, sprinter vans, and box trucks with equipment orders Execute equipment deliveries and pickups as needed Coordinate sub-rental pickups and returns with third-party vendors
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum one (1) year of hands-on experience with professional grip and lighting equipment Working knowledge of strobe systems, specifically Profoto and Broncolor platforms Proficiency with standard grip equipment Ability to differentiate and properly handle continuous lighting systems including tungsten, HMI, and LED fixtures Strong written communication skills, including the ability to draft and respond to professional correspondence Valid California driver's license Self-motivated with a strong work ethic and the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Prior experience in a rental house or studio equipment environment Familiarity with equipment management and inventory systems Demonstrated commitment to detail-oriented work under time pressure Experience operating cargo vans, sprinter vans, or box trucks
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Hourly rate: $23.00 - $30.00, commensurate with experience Full-time position: 40 hours per week, five consecutive days with two consecutive days off Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Mandatory overtime during peak production seasons (compensated at applicable overtime rates) Clear path for advancement within the Equipment Department
SCHEDULE & WORK ENVIRONMENT
The standard shift is 3:00 PM to midnight, five consecutive days per week, with mandatory overtime during high-volume production periods. Milk Studios operates seven days a week, so your schedule may include weekends; however, all team members receive two consecutive days off each week regardless of their assigned rotation. Schedules are set in advance and any changes are communicated with appropriate notice.
HOW TO APPLY
Qualified candidates are invited to submit a resume and brief cover letter through Indeed. Please include a summary of your relevant grip and lighting experience. No phone inquiries, please. Milk Studios is an equal opportunity employer.
