Solutions Architect
On this page
- What's it like to be a Solutions Architect?
- How to become a Solutions Architect
- Latest Solutions Architect jobs
- Top skills and experience for Solutions Architects
What's it like to be a Solutions Architect?
A Solutions Architect defines, describes, and designs engineering solutions for a company’s technical problems. They are advanced Software Architects who are assigned to the business’s financial and organizational infrastructure. In a company’s team of Software Architects, their role is to propose detailed building blocks for redesigning computer systems that further company goals. By doing this, they connect the strategic focus of the Enterprise Architect and the engineering focus of the Technical Architect. You will find them working in any industry that uses software, including corporate offices, tech companies, and IT consulting firms.
Tasks and duties
- Defining and analyzing problems in technical architecture.
- Designing and redesigning technical architecture to adapt to company needs.
- Presenting technical solutions to stakeholders.
- Leading IT departments to brainstorm and develop strategies.
- Researching new technologies and industry best practices.
- Interpreting client briefs and business needs.
- Testing and resolving software issues.
- Supervising development teams throughout project duration.
Solutions Architects typically come from strong project management backgrounds, with a track record in software engineering and architecture design. They are proficient in various programming languages, operating systems and databases. Apart from technical skills, they also need excellent presentation and communication skills to work with clients and management skills for dealing with development teams.
How to become a Solutions Architect
Solutions Architect is a senior position that requires around 5-10 years of experience.
Graduate with a bachelor degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or another related field.
Complete an internship in the IT department of a recognized company, tech startup, or IT consultancy.
Gain experience by joining coding events, working on the tech team of your school organization, volunteering, and taking online courses and workshops.
Consider getting certifications such TOGAF, SCRUM Master, or AWS Certified Solution Architect, Google Professional Cloud Architect, or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, which are required by many employers for the role.
Get an entry-level job in software development, such as front-end developer, back-end developer, mobile developer, or full-stack developer.
Get promoted to higher positions such as project manager or technical architect to reach the position of solutions architect.
Consider postgraduate education such as an MBA in Information Systems, and aim to get promoted from a Solutions Architect to executive positions, such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
