Head Architect, Residential Design And Planning In US (Head Of India Office)

Job Title: Head Architect, Residential Design and Planning in US (Head of India Office)

Location: India (Bangalore / Remote with regular travel)

Company: zHeight

Function: Architecture & Operations Leadership

Experience Level: 58 Years

Reporting To: Co-Founder & CEO (San Francisco Bay Area)

About zHeight

zHeight is a fast-growing, design-led planning and permitting studio headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. We are revolutionizing the residential property design experience in the U.S. by offering affordable, high-quality architectural and permit-ready design services through a globally distributed team. Our model blends Silicon Valley innovation with top-tier design talent from premier institutions like IIT, NIT, and SCI-Arc, enabling us to deliver 100+ successful projects across the Bay Area and beyond.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Principal Architect (Head of India) to lead and scale our India-based delivery operations. In this high-impact leadership role, you will be responsible for managing our growing team of architectural designers, ensuring the on-time and high-quality delivery of projects, overseeing quality control, and owning the India P&L. You will start by leading a strong team of 6+ professionals from NIT and IIT backgrounds and build the foundation for our next phase of growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture Delivery Leadership: Own end-to-end project deliveryfrom conceptual design through permit-ready drawingsensuring quality, timeliness, and efficiency.
• Team Building: Lead, manage, and grow a high-performing team of architects and drafters in India.
• Hiring & Onboarding: Scale the team rapidly by recruiting top talent, primarily from leading institutes like NIT and IIT.
• Quality Control: Implement and oversee detailed QA/QC processes to uphold U.S. standards across all deliverables.
• P&L and Operations Management: Own the India P&L, optimize workflows, manage vendor relationships, and drive operational excellence.
• Cross-border Coordination: Act as the bridge between the India team and the U.S. business and design leadership to ensure aligned execution.
• Tooling & Systems: Drive adoption of best-in-class architectural and project management tools to streamline delivery.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Educational Background: Bachelors degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering from a top-tier institute (NIT, IIT, CEPT, etc.); Masters preferred.
• Experience: 58 years of experience, including 23 years in a leadership role managing architecture/design teams.

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Get Hired
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in residential design, construction documentation, and permitting processes (U.S. experience a plus).
• Start-up Experience: Prior exposure to a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment is strongly preferred.
• Leadership & Communication: Proven ability to lead teams, communicate clearly with global stakeholders, and take ownership of business outcomes.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in tools like AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and project management platforms.

Why Join Us

• Lead the India operations for a rapidly scaling U.S. startup disrupting the home design industry.
• Work with top design talent from Indias leading institutes.
• Take on broad responsibilities and make a direct impact on business outcomes.
• Be part of a global mission to bring smarter, more affordable architecture to U.S. homeowners.

To Apply:

• Please email your resume and a brief introduction to [HIDDEN TEXT]

Compensation Range: INR15,00,000 - INR20,00,000