Principal Architect - Project Leader, Residential Design and Planning in the US

As a Principal Architect and Project Leader at zHeight, you will be responsible for leading 35 concurrent residential projects from initiation to permit-ready delivery. You will oversee small teams, review drawings, mentor junior architects, manage client feedback, ensure quality assurance, and take charge of timely and high-quality project execution. This role is ideal for individuals with strong technical acumen, a sense of accountability, and a drive to quickly progress into higher leadership roles. Your primary responsibilities will include owning the complete project execution process, from schematic designs to construction-ready plans, with minimal supervision. You will be tasked with supervising junior team members on your projects, providing guidance on scope, and coordinating necessary changes. Additionally, you will ensure compliance with U.S. building codes, including California/IRC/Title-24 standards, through training support, conduct internal quality assurance reviews, collaborate with senior reviewers and clients on updates, corrections, and timelines, and identify and propose enhancements to delivery processes for scalability. The ideal candidate for this role will have at least 3-6 years of practical experience in architecture, particularly in the residential, interior, or construction sectors. A degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering from a reputable institution such as NIT, IIT, CEPT, or SPA is preferred. You should possess strong problemsolving skills, even when faced with unfamiliar U.S. codes, have prior experience managing deliverables or teams, be comfortable with reviewing and correcting conceptual and technical plans, and be eager to learn, work diligently, and evolve within a rapidly expanding startup. If you are someone who thrives in ambiguity, takes full ownership of delivery, and enjoys leading projects that result in tangible outcomes, zHeight offers a unique opportunity to be part of a design-led planning and permitting studio catering to the U.S. residential market. By joining our team, you will gain exposure to real projects, mentorship from seasoned architects in India and the U.S., a collaborative and driven team environment, and a clear growth trajectory towards senior leadership roles. At zHeight, we emphasize real projects, real learning, real ownership, and a culture of high trust and high expectations. To apply for this position, please email aditya@zheight.com with your CV in PDF format and a brief statement outlining why you are enthusiastic about this role. Additionally, sharing an example where you have engaged with building codes (in India or elsewhere) and applied them to overcome a specific design challenge would be appreciated. Please include the word "archdriven" in your subject line to signify your thorough consideration of the job description and requirements.,