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Director Principal Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northern Impact

Principal Architect

Fresno, CA · On-site

Organize and direct the architectural and/or consulting teams to execute the work in an orderly, timely, and coordinated manner. The Principal Architect shall be familiar with all aspects and roles ...

Soni Resources

Principal Architect

New York, NY · On-site

$210K/yr

Principal Architect (Hands-On Technical Leader / Individual Contributor) Our client is seeking ... Provide technical leadership across multiple engineering teams without direct people-management ...

New

Northern Impact

Principal Architect

Houston, TX · On-site

Essential Duties & Responsibilities The Principal Architect will serve as a top-level manager in a ... Continuous 5-min Meetings with Production Director & Project Managers Education and Work Experience ...

Northern Impact

Principal Architect

San Antonio, TX · On-site

... a Principal Architect to join their San Antonio office. The award-winning architecture + design ... This leader will play a vital role in all facets of directing an operation. Responsibilities • ...

Northern Impact

Principal Architect

Austin, TX · On-site

... Principal Architect to join their Austin office. The award-winning architecture + design firm ... This leader will play a vital role in all facets of directing an operation. Responsibilities ...

MedPro Systems

Principal Architect

Mount Arlington, NJ · On-site

The Principal Architect is expected to design, prototype, and help deliver critical reference ... Ability to influence without direct management authority and align technical leads, engineers ...

New

Stratus Team LLC

Principal Architect

Miami, FL · On-site

The Principal Architect plays a hands-on role in day-to-day operations, including oversight of ... Prior experience with profit center or market P&L responsibility (direct or support role)

SCALIS

Principal Architect

Seattle, WA · On-site

$236 - $275/hr

We're hiring a Principal Architect Hybrid Seattle preferred / Remote OK. Full-Time. Boundless is a ... Mentor engineers on architectural thinking by doing the work visibly and giving direct feedback on ...

HCA Healthcare

Senior Principal Architect

Franklin, TN · On-site

Job Summary and Qualifications This position is a senior principal level architect position who will report directly to the Director of Software Architecture, Clinical Development & Innovation. This ...

HCA Healthcare

Senior Principal Architect

Lebanon, TN · On-site

Job Summary and Qualifications This position is a senior principal level architect position who will report directly to the Director of Software Architecture, Clinical Development & Innovation. This ...

HCA Healthcare

Senior Principal Architect

Nashville, TN · On-site

Job Summary and Qualifications This position is a senior principal level architect position who will report directly to the Director of Software Architecture, Clinical Development & Innovation. This ...

Actalent

Principal Architect

Seattle, WA · Hybrid

$120K - $160K/yr

Principal Architect We are seeking a licensed Principal Architect to join a woman-owned architecture firm in Seattle and take on a key leadership role with a direct path to ownership. This position ...

Veryon

Principal Architect

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Principal Architect -- Veryon India (GCC) Bangalore / Chennai | Hybrid At Veryon, we build the ... Guide multiple teams through complex design and problem-solving without direct authority over them.

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Director Principal Architect information

See salary details

$80.5K

$171.4K

$231K

How much do director principal architect jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director principal architect in the United States is $171,382.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $145,000.00 and $194,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Principal Architect vs Senior Architect?

AspectDirector Principal ArchitectSenior Architect
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., Master's), professional certifications (e.g., PMP, AWS), extensive experienceUsually requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree, relevant certifications, and several years of experience
Work EnvironmentLeads architectural teams, involved in strategic planning, client interactions, and high-level decision makingFocuses on designing and implementing projects, collaborating with teams, and technical problem-solving
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, consulting firms, and tech companiesFound across various industries including IT, construction, and engineering firms

The main difference is that the Director Principal Architect holds a leadership and strategic role overseeing teams and projects, while the Senior Architect primarily focuses on technical design and project execution. Both roles require strong technical skills and experience, but the Director Principal Architect also emphasizes management and strategic planning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Principal Architect, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Principal Architect, you need deep expertise in architectural design, project management, and building codes, usually supported by an accredited architecture degree and licensure (e.g., RA or RIBA). Familiarity with advanced design software (such as Revit, AutoCAD, and BIM tools), as well as experience with project management platforms, is typically required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and strong client communication skills set standout candidates apart. These competencies ensure successful delivery of complex projects, effective team leadership, and alignment of architectural vision with business goals.

What is a Director Principal Architect?

A Director Principal Architect is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing the architectural design and technical vision of large-scale projects within an organization. They combine executive leadership with deep technical expertise, setting long-term strategies and ensuring alignment with business goals. Typically, they lead teams of architects and engineers, mentor staff, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative and effective solutions. Their role often involves making high-impact decisions, guiding technology adoption, and representing the architectural function at the executive level.

How does a Director Principal Architect typically collaborate with other departments to drive project success?

A Director Principal Architect often works closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, engineers, and business leaders, to align architectural vision with organizational goals. They facilitate technical discussions, provide guidance on best practices, and ensure that solutions are scalable and meet business requirements. Regular meetings and design reviews are common, as these help maintain alignment and address challenges early in the development process. Effective communication and the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders are essential for success in this collaborative environment.
More about Director Principal Architect jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Principal Architect jobs? Cities with the most Director Principal Architect job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Architect jobs? The most popular types of Principal Architect jobs are:
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What job categories do people searching Director Principal Architect jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Principal Architect jobs are:
Director Principal Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Principal Architect job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $171,382 per year, or $82.4 per hour.
Principal Architect

Principal Architect

Northern Impact

Fresno, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Overview
National Award-Winning Studio & Winner of Design Firm of the Year is actively seeking a Principal Architect to join their Fresno office. With over 19 offices across the U.S., the award-winning architecture + design firm specializes in K-12 through college/university, healthcare, sports, and corporate business sectors across the U.S. The company has won over 500 design awards and is recognized for shaping learning environments for students and the community. It's well-established culture has also led the firm to be named to the list of "Best Places to Work." For over forty years, the multidisciplinary studio has created a client base of more than two hundred clients, a list that includes university systems, hospital systems, school districts, and Fortune 500 companies.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The Principal Architect will serve as a top-level manager in a successful, growing office. They will interact regularly with senior representatives of current and prospective clients. The Principal Architect will oversee all client relations for a particular Client or multiple Clients, including project team performance and overall client satisfaction. The successful candidate will have extremely strong interpersonal skills with an aggressive, yet personable, demeanor. It is essential that the candidate be very articulate with exceptional presentation and communication skills. The Principal will report to the Partner in Charge of the Client on tasks and deliverables and work directly with them to ensure the facilitation of a project's completion on time, on/under budget, and meeting the company's quality and client service standards.
Strategic:
  • The Principal Architect will be a key contributor to further defining and implementing the strategic plan and initiatives throughout the region including the growth of the Firm's consulting groups.
  • The company's corporate resources and management team will be made available to assist the Principal Architect in meeting these goals.

Operational:
  • The Principal Architect will ultimately be responsible for the delivery of services, maintaining/supporting the culture, and working as part of the management team to follow the established policies and procedures within the office.
  • The Principal Architect will oversee client relations, including project team performance and overall client satisfaction.
  • Ensure that the project conforms to a contractual agreement with the client; meeting the project program requirements, all set budgets, goals, and work assignments for their project team that clearly defines project expectations.
  • Supervise and manage the various staff assigned to their teams to produce quality sets of documents that comply with the deliverable requirements for all phases of the project.
  • Organize and direct the architectural and/or consulting teams to execute the work in an orderly, timely, and coordinated manner. The Principal Architect shall be familiar with all aspects and roles of the Consultants on a particular project.

Marketing/Business Development:
  • The ability to establish and develop relationships with potential clients is essential.
  • The Principal Architect will work closely with the firm's Marketing & BD departments to develop new opportunities and build relationships.
  • Responsible for maintaining positive client relationships throughout the project. Keeps client apprised of project progress on a regular basis. Initiates and maintains contact with other key project individuals for clarification, coordination, and negotiation of critical issues.

Management/Leadership:
  • The Principal Architect will promote a support structure to further develop the abilities of the staff.
  • The Principal Architect will also be responsible for overseeing the recruitment of new staff to supplement an already very talented team.
  • Ability to professionally communicate verbally and in writing to give assignments to office support staff, consultants, and vendors (always being respectful).
  • The Principal Architect will have experience in leading and facilitating meetings and presentations for the Client(s).
  • Willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgment; support and explain the reasoning for decisions; include appropriate people in the decision-making process; make timely decisions.
  • Directs, organizes, and mentors junior staff with responsibility oversight of their assignments.
  • The Principal Architect will be familiar with construction administration in the region and have a firm understanding of project costs, procurement/project delivery, and project phasing. They will be able to guide the project team and Client with regard to scheduling phased projects.
  • Provides leadership, resources, and technical advice for the generation of construction documents including detailing and finishing applications, ensuring adherence to design intent, client standards, and follow through.
  • Occasional travel is required.
  • The Principal Architect will participate in professional organizations that are important to their Clients.
  • The Principal Architect will be known as a leader in the field of Educational Architecture.

Education and Work Experience Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree in Architecture required, Master's degree preferred.
  • Must have a minimum of 15 years of experience in the architectural profession with no less than 10 years of experience managing project teams and processes.
  • LEED familiarity is strongly preferred.
  • Must have prior K12 and/or Higher Education experience to be considered.
  • Must be a Registered Architect.

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