Job
Description
Job Title: Principal Architect – Project Leader, Residential Design and Planning in the US Location: Bangalore, India (Hybrid / office 2–3 days a week) Company: zHeight – The Infosys of Architecture & Design for American Homes Read Time: ~10 minutes. If you read to the end and apply thoughtfully, your chances of moving ahead go up 10x. We’re looking for the real ones. Read This First This isn’t your regular job post. If you’re skimming this, we’re not for you. But if you’re here to do the best work of your career — keep reading. We’re looking for a Principal Architect who thrives in ambiguity, takes full ownership of delivery, and is hungry to lead projects that actually ship. You won’t just be drafting. You’ll be managing — people, plans, deadlines, quality, and the evolving design needs of real U.S. homeowners and contractors. This is a high-trust, high-agency role with a fast-growing U.S.-based startup. Let’s build something that lasts. What is zHeight? zHeight is a design-led planning and permitting studio serving the U.S. residential market. We help homeowners and contractors get affordable, high-quality designs — faster than traditional firms — by pairing Silicon Valley efficiency with deep architectural talent in India. We’ve delivered over 100 permitted projects across California. We’re growing fast (5x revenue YoY) and building a world-class India design team with graduates from IIT, NIT, CEPT, and SCI-Arc. But this isn’t easy work. It requires judgment, precision, and a willingness to learn U.S. codes and client standards from scratch. About the Role: Principal Architect – Project Leader As a Principal Architect at zHeight, you will lead 3–5 concurrent residential projects from kickoff to permit-ready delivery. You will manage small teams (1–3 members), review drawings, coach junior architects, handle client feedback, ensure QA/QC, and take ownership of on-time, on-quality project execution. This role is perfect for someone who’s technically strong, confident with responsibility, and looking to grow into higher leadership fast. What You’ll Do Own end-to-end project execution — schematic to construction-ready plans — with minimal hand-holding. Manage junior team members on your projects: review their drawings, guide them on scope, coordinate changes. Ensure U.S. building code compliance (with training support) and accurate application of California/IRC/Title-24 standards. Conduct internal QA reviews to catch errors before delivery. Collaborate with senior reviewers and clients on updates, markups, corrections, and timelines. Improve systems: Identify process gaps and propose better ways to manage delivery at scale. Who This Role Is For 3–6 years of hands-on architecture experience — preferably in residential, interior, or construction projects. Bachelor’s (or Master’s) in Architecture or Civil Engineering from a recognized institute (NIT, IIT, CEPT, SPA, etc.). A natural problem solver who figures things out — even if it’s your first time with U.S. codes. Has managed deliverables or people before, even if informally. Comfortable reviewing and correcting both conceptual plans and technical drafting. Wants to learn fast, work hard, and grow with a startup that’s scaling across borders. This is NOT for you if: You’re just looking to draft what you’re told. You shy away from responsibility. You think residential design is simple and repetitive. You’re unwilling to go deep into U.S. building codes or new construction methods. You’re seeking a “balanced” 9-to-5 with predictability and zero pressure. Why Join zHeight Real projects, real learning, and real ownership from Day 1 . Mentorship from top-tier architects across India and the U.S. A collaborative and ambitious team that actually values good work. Exposure to high-quality U.S. residential design and permit systems. Include the word “archdriven” in your subject line — we’ll know you made it to the end. Clear growth path into senior leadership. No micromanagement. High trust. High expectations. How to Apply Email aditya@zheight.com with the following: Your CV (PDF only) A short note on why this role excites you (Optional but appreciated): Share an example where you’ve worked on or learned building codes (India or abroad), and how you applied them to a specific design challenge. Show more Show less
