Multi-Unit Residential Architect

Multi-Unit Residential Architect
Systematic Housing Design | Nova Scotia

LICENSED ARCHITECTS ONLY - Requires NSAA license + multi-unit residential experience

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS - Must Have ALL:

✓ NSAA License (or eligible for immediate licensure)

✓ 3+ years multi-unit residential experience (4+ unit buildings, not single-family)

✓ Advanced Revit/BIM proficiency (parametric design capability)

✓ Fast-paced design experience (permit-ready drawings in weeks, not months)

✓ Systems thinking mindset (standardization over one-off custom design)

If you don't meet ALL five requirements, do not apply. We only consider qualified residential housing specialists.

MANDATORY SCREENING QUESTIONS

Your application MUST include detailed answers. Applications without complete answers will be automatically rejected.

1. What multi-unit residential projects have you designed? Include project names, unit counts, your specific role, and timeline from concept to permit.

2. Describe your Revit/BIM experience level. What parametric design tools have you used (Dynamo, Grasshopper, etc.)? Provide specific examples.

3. What's the fastest you've delivered permit-ready drawings? Describe the project type, scope, and how you achieved speed without sacrificing quality.

4. How do you approach design standardization vs. customization? Give an example of creating efficient design systems for repeated use.

5. Are you available for immediate start on contract basis?

COMPENSATION & OPPORTUNITY

CONTRACT PHASE:

• $5,000-$7,000 per project (6-month projects)
• 10-15 projects annually = $50,000-$105,000/year potential
• Prove your fit while earning competitive rates

FULL-TIME TRANSITION:

• Junior Architect: $100K base + 30% target bonus = $130K total
• Senior Architect: $140K base + 35% target bonus = $189K total
• Full benefits: Health/dental/vision, RRSP matching, $5K learning budget
• Stock options and latest tech/software included

This compensation is 20-50% above Nova Scotia market rates because one A-player architect delivers 3-5x the impact of average talent.

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

Every week of design delay costs a family another month waiting for housing. Traditional architecture treats each project as unique. We see patterns.

Your mission: Create design systems that deliver permit-ready drawings in 7-10 days instead of 7 weeks. Your templates will enable hundreds of units annually through systematic excellence.

You build what you design. Our vertical integration means your morning sketch becomes next month's foundation pour. When something could work better, you see it happen and fix it for the next project.

A WEEK IN YOUR LIFE

Monday: Review construction feedback from last month's design. Update your template. Better foundation detail saves 2 days per build.

Tuesday: New 8-unit project. Adapt your standard design to sloped lot using parametric constraints. Done by lunch.

Wednesday: Coordinate with engineer on ICF adaptation. Your structural understanding eliminates three revision cycles.

Thursday: Permit submission. Your package is so complete, municipal reviewers thank you.

Friday: Design sprint with team. Your modular mechanical room idea cuts costs 15%.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Essential Tools:

• Advanced Revit/BIM with parametric design capability
• Dynamo or Grasshopper experience preferred
• Construction documentation across all building systems
• Energy modeling coordination
• Cross-discipline understanding (structural, civil, MEP basics)

Performance Expectations:

• 7-10 day design delivery
• 90% first-pass permits
• Minimal design-related construction delays
• Continuous improvement mindset

WHO THRIVES HERE

Perfect fit:

• Pattern finders who see systems where others see one-offs
• Speed demons who deliver excellence on aggressive timelines
• Builders who want to see designs constructed immediately
• Mission-driven professionals who measure success in families housed

Not suitable for:

• Architects who need every project to be unique
• Those who love long contemplative design processes
• Candidates preferring corporate hierarchy over startup culture
• Commercial/institutional specialists without housing experience

ABOUT HELIO

We're a vertically integrated design-build firm solving housing through systematic excellence. We operate like a tech startup in a traditional industry—transparent, fast, obsessed with continuous improvement.

12 people delivering what traditionally takes firms 5x our size—through systems, not bureaucracy. Work directly with founders and construction team on 12 projects underway with rapid scaling ahead.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Submit in this order:

1. PDF portfolio showing multi-unit residential projects with timelines
2. Complete answers to the 5 mandatory screening questions
3. Two professional references from multi-unit residential projects
4. Cover letter explaining your approach to systematic design vs. custom architecture

We're interviewing for 2 architect positions this month. Fast process: Application → portfolio review → technical interview → offer.

Ready to revolutionize housing design? Apply today.

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