We don't have a resident lighting designer, but we do have a resident scenic designer. Our resident scenic designer does 3 shows per season for us, and does some outside work. When not designing, the resident scene designer is the properties master. On the
LX side, I am the ME, and I wish I had an assistant. I hire all my crew overhire, and when I need an assistant I just bring in one of my long time overhire people to help. Management finds this less expensive and less cumbersome than hiring me an assistant.