Lead Design Architect

American Housing
Los Angeles +1 more
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to senior-level architects with hands-on experience in residential design and material curation, working in a vertically integrated housing production setting.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 10+ years of architecture experience and a proven ability to lead complex projects from concept to construction.
    — “Minimum 10 years of professional experience in architecture, or industrial design.
  • Individuals who have managed material selections and finish specifications across large-scale residential projects.
    — “Proven track record of managing material selection and finish specifications across complex projects.
  • Architects with a background in traditional building practices and a willingness to explore modular construction methods.
    — “Strong working knowledge of construction methods, trade coordination, and traditional building practices.

Things to consider

  • The role requires full-time relocation to Austin, TX, which may not be feasible for some candidates.
    — “Candidates must be based in or ready to relocate to Austin, TX full-time.
  • The position involves managing a team over time, which implies leadership and growth responsibilities.
    — “the potential to grow a team over time.

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in leading residential design projects through to construction in your portfolio.
    — “drive the design from concept to construction.
  • Emphasize any prior work in material sourcing and vendor coordination for residential products.
    — “Partner with the Product Engineering and Supply Chain teams to identify suppliers.
  • Showcase your ability to balance design vision with cost optimization and construction feasibility.
    — “Experience in value engineering or cost optimization in a design-driven context.
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Lead

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • proven track record of taking designs from concept to construction
  • proven track record of managing material selection and finish specifications across complex projects
Typical background
Relevant training in Architecture, Interior DesignMinimum 10 years of professional experience in architecture, or industrial design

Skills & requirements

Required

ArchitectureDesign Software (e.g., Rhino, Revit, Enscape, Solidworks, Autocad)Construction MethodsMaterial SelectionFinish SpecificationsValue Engineering

Preferred

Modular Or Off-site Construction Methods

Stack & domain

RhinoRevitEnscapeSolidworksAutocadCommunicationCross-functional CollaborationArchitectureIndustrial Design

About the role

Original posting from American Housing via Ashby

The Role: Lead Design Architect

As The Lead Design Architect, you will define the look and feel of the new generation of the American Rowhome. You will drive the design from concept to construction. You will lead the design of a new residential catalogue, bespoke style across every scale: from the facades to every corner of our homes. The role would require both creativity and meticulous attention to detail.

The role is based full-time in Austin, TX and would be ideal for an experienced designer who prefers to work hands-on, with a potential to grow a team over time.

About The Company

The American Housing Corporation http://americanhousing.co is on a mission to solve the America’s housing crisis through all-out housing production. We believe that America’s affordability crisis is fundamentally a production crisis, and that solving it requires a vertically integrated development approach: We buy land, design and manufacture, install, and sell our homes directly to customers — all by ourselves.

The American Dream is built, not inherited. We're hiring the best engineers, designers, and builders to solve the hardest problem in America. We’re based in Austin, TX and build across the country.

What You’ll Be Working On

  • Lead architectural exploration of our rowhome product catalogue, including new interior layouts, facades, and styles.
  • Lead the curation of interior and exterior finishes, fixtures, and appliances across our product lineup.
  • Partner with the Product Engineering and Supply Chain teams to identify suppliers capable of delivering intended quality at competitive price points and reliable timelines.
  • Partner with Product and Brand team on defining the unique architectural identity of our products.
  • Art direct visualizations.
  • Assist with value engineering in protecting a holistic design vision.
  • Oversee projects through construction and iterate the designs based on learnings from realized projects.

Qualifications

  • Relevant training in Architecture, Interior Design.
  • Minimum 10 years of professional experience in architecture, or industrial design.
  • Proven track record of taking designs from concept to construction.
  • Proven track record of managing material selection and finish specifications across complex projects.
  • Strong working knowledge of construction methods, trade coordination, and traditional building practices. Familiarity with modular or off-site construction methods is preferable.
  • Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills; comfortable presenting to senior stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in design software (e.g., Rhino, Revit, Enscape, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, etc).
  • Experience in value engineering or cost optimization in a design-driven context.

Additional Information

  • Candidates must be based in or ready to relocate to Austin, TX full-time.
  • The company provides comprehensive benefits, PTO, and participation in company equity programs.

Source: American Housing careers (Ashby)

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