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What does a chief software architect do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Frank McCown Ph.D.
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Chief software architect responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real chief software architect resumes:

  • Design the API and lead multiple programming teams that write the game software suites.
  • Lead the organization through the change process to shift from self-host architectures to next generation SaaS architectures.
  • Lead large-scale agile and lean software development including engineering, testing, program management, DevOps and live site operations.
  • Cloud stores self update system.
  • Used Ansible for automate deployments of instances on AWS.
  • Cloud service develop based on modify stripped down version of FreeBSD.
  • Develop PalletBuilder/ChainBuilder to Lawson integration software using the J2EE/ Java programming language and XML.
  • Code HTML /CSS / PHP in design of web user interfaces to persistent storage objs.
  • Replace static and global with thread local storage and also replace thread safe version of system API.
  • Provide code and design review, as well as implemented a Java applet for accepting bids and coordinating on-air display.
  • Design service-oriented-architecture and data modeling in PHP for content management and delivery.
  • Introduce S/W engineering personal empowerment, rapid prototyping, design & code reviews, automate regression testing and continuous process improvement.
  • Introduce S/W engineering personal empowerment, rapid prototyping, design & code reviews, automate regression testing and continuous process improvement.

Chief software architect skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Chief Software Architects are proficient in Java, Cloud, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Chief Software Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Java, 14%

    Re-implemented the Simulator based on Java Technology.

  • Cloud, 8%

    Designed and implemented the company's Cloud, Web Services and Adapter strategies as well as product offerings.

  • Software Development, 7%

    Designed, documented and established software development processes for analysis, design, implementation and testing of software projects.

  • Python, 7%

    Helped develop a Python based hardware-module simulator using OO methodology to improve offline software testing.

  • Web Services, 4%

    Transitioned company's core identity verification business practice to a modern SOA/web services.

  • API, 4%

    Led engagements with Microsoft, and ISV's with Marketing, to enable API s and optimize support.

"java," "cloud," and "software development" are among the most common skills that chief software architects use at work. You can find even more chief software architect responsibilities below, including:

Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a chief software architect to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Additionally, a chief software architect resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "c-based systems software engineering and development team management invented algorithms and generated 3 patents"

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling chief software architect duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail." According to a chief software architect resume, here's how chief software architects can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "designed and implemented very detailed database design and object oriented development standards. "

Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for chief software architects to perform their duties. For an example of how chief software architect responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a chief software architect: "core skills: exceptional interpersonal communication, program/product management. ".

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what chief software architects do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to chief software architect responsibilities because "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical chief software architect tasks: "developed workflow and document imaging based solutions and products; using java servlets, jsp, ejb and content manager apis. "

Analytical skills. A commonly-found skill in chief software architect job descriptions, "analytical skills" is essential to what chief software architects do. Chief software architect responsibilities rely on this skill because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." You can also see how chief software architect duties rely on analytical skills in this resume example: "created processes to bulk load xml data from large content feeds such as newspaper archives and encyclopedias. "

Communication skills. Another skill commonly found on chief software architect job descriptions is "communication skills." It can come up quite often in chief software architect duties, since "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day chief software architect responsibilities: "created a platform for iot device communication, security, analytics and management. "

See the full list of chief software architect skills

The three companies that hire the most chief software architects are:

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Compare different chief software architects

Chief software architect vs. Software development manager

A software development manager is an individual who manages teams of software developers that design and create software applications and web services for clients. Software development managers should delegate duties and establish development standards for the development team as well as create a budget and timeline for the project. They must meet with management to discuss how software applications can achieve business objectives. Once the software has been developed, software development managers must train technical and non-technical end-users. They must also be skilled in different programming languages such as HTML, SQL, and JavaScript.

We looked at the average chief software architect salary and compared it with the wages of a software development manager. Generally speaking, software development managers are paid $14,384 lower than chief software architects per year.Even though chief software architects and software development managers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require java, c #, and software development in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a chief software architect are more likely to require skills like "cloud," "python," "git," and "microsoft sql server." On the other hand, a job as a software development manager requires skills like "architecture," "project management," "database," and "amazon web services." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Software development managers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $159,811. In contrast, chief software architects make the biggest average salary, $155,821, in the start-up industry.software development managers tend to reach similar levels of education than chief software architects. In fact, software development managers are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Chief software architect vs. Senior software development engineer

A senior software development engineer specializes in leading the efforts in designing and developing software and information systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around installing and repairing existing computer systems, conducting regular maintenance checks, troubleshooting, testing new designs, and performing research and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of operations, improving them to achieve optimal performance. Furthermore, as a senior software development engineer, it is essential to monitor and encourage the team, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average, senior software development engineers earn a $32,205 lower salary than chief software architects a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both chief software architects and senior software development engineers have skills such as "java," "software development," and "python. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that chief software architect responsibilities requires skills like "c #," "cloud," "javascript," and "aws." But a senior software development engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "scrum," "database," "object oriented programming," and "amazon web services."

Senior software development engineers may earn a lower salary than chief software architects, but senior software development engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $134,736. On the other hand, chief software architects receive higher pay in the start-up industry, where they earn an average salary of $155,821.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior software development engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than chief software architects. In fact, they're 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for chief software architects in the next 3-5 years?

Frank McCown Ph.D.Frank McCown Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Harding University

Software continues to move to mobile devices and the web and away from desktop applications. The pandemic has encouraged growth in applications that make in-person transactions go away, and that trend will likely continue. Obviously AI-enabled or assisted applications will continue to grow.

Chief software architect vs. Software engineering manager

A software engineering manager oversees the team involved in computer and software development. Typically, it is their responsibility to design and create software applications in collaboration with fellow skilled engineers in the group. Their duties revolve around devising strategies and designs, producing progress reports, monitoring the documentation processes, preparing presentations, and assessing workforce performance. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the engineering team to meet goals and standards while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

On average scale, software engineering managers bring in lower salaries than chief software architects. In fact, they earn a $8,202 lower salary per year.By looking over several chief software architects and software engineering managers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "java," "c #," and "cloud." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a chief software architect is likely to be skilled in "aws," "git," "microsoft sql server," and "tdd," while a typical software engineering manager is skilled in "software engineering," "object oriented programming," "spring boot," and "project management."

Software engineering managers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $153,920. On the other hand, chief software architects are paid the highest salary in the start-up industry, with average annual pay of $155,821.software engineering managers typically earn similar educational levels compared to chief software architects. Specifically, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Chief software architect vs. Senior systems software engineer

A senior systems software engineer is an individual responsible for managing a firm's computer network systems. The professional's roles include resolving complex application and network issues through the development of new solutions, overseeing systems developers and other information technology (IT) personnel, and integrating new technology. The job requires proficiency in the MySQL, Python, and Linux programming languages and excellent skills in organizational and time management and communication. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.

Senior systems software engineers typically earn lower pay than chief software architects. On average, senior systems software engineers earn a $26,856 lower salary per year.According to resumes from chief software architects and senior systems software engineers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "java," "software development," and "python. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between chief software architects and senior systems software engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a chief software architect might have more use for skills like "c #," "cloud," "javascript," and "aws." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior systems software engineers require skills like "architecture," "scrum," "code reviews," and "software design. "

Senior systems software engineers enjoy the best pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $125,048. For comparison, chief software architects earn the highest salary in the start-up industry.The average resume of senior systems software engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to chief software architects. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 4.1%.

Types of chief software architect

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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