How to hire an information systems architect

How to hire an information systems architect, step by step

Here's a step-by-step information systems architect hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an information systems architect job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new information systems architect
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an information systems architect do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your information systems architect job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an information systems architect for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an information systems architect to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an information systems architect that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of information systems architects and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Information Systems Architect	Description	Hourly rate
   Information Systems Architect		$43-71
   Security Engineer	Security engineers are responsible for developing and overseeing data and security software to help prevent data breaches, leaks, and taps related to cybercrime. Other duties and responsibilities include developing new systems to help protect computer networks and assets, configuring firewalls, and conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities... Show more	$37-67
   SAP Security Consultant	An SAP security consultant is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of network and applications within the database management systems. SAP security consultants analyze the stability and efficiency of the user interface, authorize data access, and perform audits and quality checks... Show more	$34-60

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • C++
   • SQL Server
   • XML
   • Windows Server
   • Cloud
   • Project Management
   • Linux
   • ITIL
   • Java
   • Enterprise Architecture
   • AWS
   • Virtualization
   • DOD
   • DR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Install and manage cloud technologies for student learning management systems (LMS).
   • Manage the clean-up and migration of multiple fail SharePoint deployments into a single, fully functional current farm.
   • Manage application development teams both domestic and international that focus on developing applications using corporate partner API's.
   • Provide guidance for Tru64 Unix to HP-UX migrations.
   • Define architecture and implementation plans for data warehousing, MDM and cloud solutions and tools.
   • Create role-based security solution for privileged-access on UNIX systems using multiple single sign-on access infrastructures.

   More information systems architect duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your information systems architect job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An information systems architect can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, information systems architects' average salary in oklahoma is 33% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level information systems architects 40% less than senior-level information systems architects.
   • Certifications. An information systems architect with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an information systems architect's salary.

   Average information systems architect salary

   $116,490yearly

   $56.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level information systems architect salary

   $90,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average information systems architect salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$140,205	$67
   2	New Jersey	$130,839	$63
   3	Maryland	$128,519	$62
   4	New York	$122,844	$59
   5	Massachusetts	$122,051	$59
   6	Illinois	$116,164	$56
   7	Texas	$113,436	$55
   8	North Carolina	$108,439	$52
   9	Colorado	$108,310	$52
   10	Florida	$107,965	$52
   11	Michigan	$105,549	$51
   12	Ohio	$104,993	$50
   13	Georgia	$99,616	$48
   14	Tennessee	$98,155	$47
   15	New Mexico	$97,706	$47
   16	South Carolina	$96,357	$46
   17	Puerto Rico	$51,146	$25

   Average information systems architect salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Brocade Services Corporation	$138,692	$66.68
   2	ServiceNow	$134,209	$64.52	136
   3	Cisco	$134,169	$64.50	126
   4	L.L.Bean	$132,896	$63.89	1
   5	Amazon	$127,325	$61.21	768
   6	Nuveen Investments	$125,392	$60.28
   7	Sandia National Labs	$125,077	$60.13	7
   8	Amgen	$123,412	$59.33	20
   9	Selective Insurance	$120,215	$57.80	3
   10	Teradyne	$119,667	$57.53	10
   11	Jacobs Engineering Group	$119,623	$57.51
   12	HP	$119,392	$57.40	4
   13	3M Company	$117,098	$56.30	19
   14	Charles Schwab	$116,004	$55.77	50
   15	CVS Health	$115,566	$55.56	118
   16	The MetroHealth System	$115,411	$55.49
   17	Hewlett Packard Enterprise	$115,285	$55.43	100
   18	TeraRecon	$113,864	$54.74
   19	Jacobs Enterprises	$113,809	$54.72	146
   20	Artech Realtors	$113,796	$54.71

4. Writing an information systems architect job description

   A good information systems architect job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an information systems architect job description:

   Information systems architect job description example

   CoSolutions is looking to hire an Information Systems Architect- Sr in Quantico, VA.
   
   Responsibilities:

   • Coordinate the design, development, implementation, and support of business and/or technical IT solutions encompassing multiple specializations, platforms, and technologies.
   • Define project scope, plans and deliverables including cost projections and proposed implementation dates.
   • Assist leadership in determining technical direction of the organization.
   • Research, analyze, recommend and implement new technologies, standard processes, tools, and techniques.
   • Create portions of IT plans based on an understanding of the customer's organizational strategic direction, technology context, and business needs.
   • Coach and provide technical support to others on the application of new technologies, project management, and system development methodologies.
   • Provide technical support for marketing initiatives through participation in proposals and marketing studies.
   • Review other system and programming designs to ensure selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources, and integration of multiple systems and technologies.
   • Identify, develop, update, and enforce standards and procedures.
   • Monitor and ensure resolutions of performance issues.
   • Interface with support groups on production problems, technical concerns, and financial issues.
   • Research, evaluate, and stay current on emerging tools, techniques, and technologies.

   
   
   Requirements:
   Experience : 10 years in IT field

   Experience in Information Technology (IT) projects in a complex environment.

   Specialized experience in disciplines such as, but not limited to, information security, privacy, and information assurance, assembly/integration,

   cross-discipline functions, data engineering, industry expertise, knowledge engineering, legacy evolution, or system infrastructure

   
   

   Degree : Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, or related discipline from an accredited college or university

   Certifications : IAT Level II

   
   

   CoSolutions is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right information systems architect for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with information systems architects they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit information systems architects who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your information systems architect job on Zippia to find and recruit information systems architect candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting information systems architects requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   If your interviews with information systems architect applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new information systems architect

   Once you've decided on a perfect information systems architect candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an information systems architect?