What does a software applications architect do?
Software applications architect responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software applications architect resumes:
- Lead vendor evaluation and selection for cloud storage, CMS, analytics, and infrastructure.
- Contribute to implementing microservices used to manage entities and maintain a synchronize state between supplier and distributor.
- Create marketing/mailing module using MySQL, PHP, and JS.
- Work on computer-assist design and imaging applications software in C++, Java, and Jython.
- Develop LINUX clustering software to handle the expected performance loads on the overall cluster systems.
- Architect solution for persisting XML feeds (from Morningstar) using Castor, thus saving company around 100K in upfront cost.
- Participate in full SDLC utilizing RUP methodology.
- Implement enhancements to a custom JavaScript presentation layer.
- Develop vendor quality notifications and audit management using java Webdynpro.
- Develop Linux device drivers, and user level application software for line-speed encryption/decryption and firewall products.
- Introduce S/W engineering personal empowerment, rapid prototyping, design & code reviews, automate regression testing and continuous process improvement.
- Create PL/SQL triggers for the customer sign-on and login pages to pass information to the LDAP authentication server.
- Perform internal QA to ensure the new changes have no defects and verify that the new functionality works as it should.
- Create ETL interfaces for ongoing data integration with SalesForce.com.
- Perform extensive QA validation at the application level and post-production review and validation.
Software applications architect skills and personality traits
We calculated that 40% of Software Applications Architects are proficient in Java, API, and Application Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Software Applications Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 40%
Modified Java Swing template to extend or change the original functionality of the GUI design as written.
- API, 7%
Project included development on a prototype distributed network management package, API's and additional enhancements to network management software packages.
- Application Development, 6%
Research and development into the emerging trends, protocols, and technologies in the realm of web- based data-driven application development.
- Web Application, 5%
Extended content service portal to provide API for the third party mobile web applications facilitating managed interactions with internal infrastructure.
- Web Services, 5%
Designed and implemented web services to make MFDS Data available to other applications.
- GIT, 3%
Introduced source code management GIT, GITLAB.
"java," "api," and "application development" are among the most common skills that software applications architects use at work. You can find even more software applications architect responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software applications architect to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." Additionally, a software applications architect resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "led business analytics requirement analysis, working with key stakeholders to analyze their analytic requirements of kpis and datamart definitions. "
Communication skills. Many software applications architect duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a software applications architect will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software applications architect responsibilities rely on communication skills: "used .net web services for direct ui communication and to allow separation of the database from the user interface. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for software applications architects to perform their duties. For an example of how software applications architect responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a software applications architect: "invented a disa stig interpreter tool that auto generates nessus audit html files for running compliance hardening on a network. ".
Detail oriented. A big part of what software applications architects do relies on "detail oriented." You can see how essential it is to software applications architect responsibilities 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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical software applications architect tasks: "published 3 separate architecture policy white papers covering soa component architecture, component re-use and services oriented architecture. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in software applications architect job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what software applications architects do. Software applications architect responsibilities rely on this skill 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." You can also see how software applications architect duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "resolved complex java jre related integration issues between ciscowork lms and hp openview network node manager, network management solutions. "
The three companies that hire the most software applications architects are:
Compare different software applications architects
Software applications architect vs. Lead developer
A lead developer is responsible for creating software programs and applications, following the client and the business's software quality standards and design specifications. Lead developers assist a team of developers in implementing strategic procedures, managing system codes, debugging applications, running diagnostic tests, and troubleshooting defects to ensure its smooth performance. They also respond to clients' inquiries and concerns, performing feature adjustments as needed. A lead developer must have strong knowledge of the technology industry and command on programming languages and software design processes.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a software applications architect are more likely to require skills like "peer review," "component architecture," "ldap," and "business stakeholders." On the other hand, a job as a lead developer requires skills like "javascript," "c++," "digital transformation," and "code reviews." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Lead developers earn the highest salaries when working in the retail industry, with an average yearly salary of $119,501. On the other hand, software applications architects are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $152,691.On average, lead developers reach higher levels of education than software applications architects. Lead developers are 5.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Software applications architect vs. Architect and developer
An Architect And Developer is focused on the technical design, architecture, and development of products. They generally work as a part of the development team.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real software applications architect resumes. While software applications architect responsibilities can utilize skills like "git," "scrum," "peer review," and "component architecture," architects and developer use skills like "c++," "c #," "javascript," and "azure."
On average, architects and developer earn a lower salary than software applications architects. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, architects and developer earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $125,314. Whereas software applications architects have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $152,691.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Architects and developer tend to reach higher levels of education than software applications architects. In fact, they're 7.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software applications architects in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Software applications 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, software applications architects are more likely to have skills like "application development," "web application," "git," and "peer review." But a senior systems software engineer is more likely to have skills like "python," "software development," "c," and "c++."
Senior systems software engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $125,048. Software applications architects earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $152,691.Most senior systems software engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to software applications architects. For example, they're 2.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software applications 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between software applications architects and senior software development engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software applications architect might have more use for skills like "application development," "peer review," "component architecture," and "ldap." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior software development engineers require skills like "software development," "python," "object oriented programming," and "amazon web services. "
In general, senior software development engineers earn the most working in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $134,736. The highest-paying industry for a software applications architect is the health care industry.The average resume of senior software development engineers showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to software applications architects. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 7.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.6%.Types of software applications architect
Updated January 8, 2025
