Become A Software Architect

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Working As A Software Architect

Interacting With Computers
Thinking Creatively
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Getting Information
Analyzing Data or Information

Mostly Sitting
$100,118
Average Salary

What Does A Software Architect Do

A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.

How To Become A Software Architect

Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science and strong computer programming skills.

Education

Software developers usually have a bachelor’s degree, typically in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. A degree in mathematics is also acceptable. Computer science degree programs are the most common, because they tend to cover a broad range of topics. Students should focus on classes related to building software in order to better prepare themselves for work in the occupation. For some positions, employers may prefer a master’s degree.

Although writing code is not their first priority, developers must have a strong background in computer programming. They usually gain this experience in school. Throughout their career, developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages.

Software developers also need skills related to the industry in which they work. Developers working in a bank, for example, should have knowledge of finance so that they can understand a bank’s computing needs.

Other Experience

Many students gain experience in software development by completing an internship at a software company while in college.

Some software developers first work as computer programmers and then are given more responsibility as they gain experience. Eventually, they become developers.

Advancement

Software developers can advance to become information technology (IT) project managers, also called computer and information systems managers, a position in which they oversee the software development process.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs.

Communication skills. Developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project. They must also explain to their customers how the software works and answer any questions that arise.

Computer skills. Developers must understand computer capabilities and programming languages in order to design effective software.

Creativity. Developers are the creative minds behind new computer software.

Detail oriented. 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.

Interpersonal skills. Software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software.

Problem-solving skills. Because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process.

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Software Architect jobs

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Software Architect Career Paths

Software Architect

Architect Solutions Architect Program Manager

Chief Information Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Architect And Developer Solutions Architect Program Manager

Chief Technology Officer

11 Yearsyrs

Systems Architect Information Technology Manager Senior Manager

Director Of Enterprise Architecture

14 Yearsyrs

Solutions Architect Program Manager Senior Manager

Director Of Information

10 Yearsyrs

Senior Architect Senior Manager Development Director

Director Of Software Development

12 Yearsyrs

Enterprise Architect Director Of Enterprise Architecture Chief Technology Officer

President & Chief Technology Officer

13 Yearsyrs

Software Development Manager Program Manager Senior Product Manager

Principal Product Manager

10 Yearsyrs

Chief Technology Officer Senior Project Manager Senior Product Manager

Product Management Director

12 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Product Manager

Product Manager, Mobile

10 Yearsyrs

Director Of Software Development Director Of Information Business Analyst/Project Manager

Product Owner

9 Yearsyrs

Systems Architect Systems Administrator Software Engineer

Senior .NET Developer

6 Yearsyrs

Director Of Software Development Engineering Director

Senior Director Of Engineering

15 Yearsyrs

Project Manager Consultant Senior Software Engineer

Senior Java Developer

6 Yearsyrs

Chief Technology Officer Chief Information Officer

Senior Project Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Architect Project Manager Consultant

Senior Software Engineer

6 Yearsyrs

Solutions Architect Senior Project Manager

Senior Technical Program Manager

12 Yearsyrs

Architect And Developer Project Manager Senior Manager

Vice President Of Information Technology

12 Yearsyrs

Software Development Manager Director Of Software Development

Vice President, Software Development

11 Yearsyrs

Enterprise Architect Senior Architect Senior Project Manager

Vice President, Technology

11 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Principal Software Engineer 5.0 years
Senior Software Development Engineer 4.0 years
Chief Software Architect 4.0 years
Senior Software Engineer 3.9 years
Software Engineer/Technical Lead 3.9 years
Software Engineer/Architect 3.9 years
Advanced Software Engineer 3.8 years
Senior Software Engineer/Architect 3.7 years
Software Engineer-Team Lead 3.6 years
Senior Software Architect 3.6 years
Software Engineer Lead 3.4 years
Senior Software Engineer Lead 3.4 years
Lead Software Developer 3.3 years
Software Engineer 3.2 years
Lead Software Architect 3.0 years
Software Architect 3.0 years
Software Designer 3.0 years
Senior Web Application Developer 2.9 years
Software Consultant 2.8 years
Software Engineer-Consultant 2.8 years
Software Developer 2.7 years
Contract Software Developer 2.7 years
Contract Software Engineer 2.6 years
Web Architect 2.4 years
Junior Software Developer 1.3 years
Software Engineering Internship 0.5 years
Software Developer Internship 0.5 years

Top Careers Before Software Architect

Top Careers After Software Architect

Software Architect Demographics

Gender

Male
87.9%
Female
7.8%
Unknown
4.3%

Ethnicity

White
66.8%
Asian
21.1%
Hispanic or Latino
7.4%
Unknown
3.7%
Black or African American
0.9%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
22.7%
Chinese
11.4%
Russian
11.4%
Japanese
9.1%
French
9.1%
Mandarin
9.1%
Carrier
6.8%
German
4.5%
Portuguese
2.3%
Dakota
2.3%
Hebrew
2.3%
Latvian
2.3%
Korean
2.3%
Thai
2.3%
Italian
2.3%

Software Architect

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Software Architect Education

Schools

University of Texas at Austin
6.5%
University of Phoenix
6.5%
New York University
6.0%
George Mason University
6.0%
San Jose State University
6.0%
Harvard University
6.0%
Stanford University
5.0%
Carnegie Mellon University
5.0%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
5.0%
Boston University
5.0%
Johns Hopkins University
5.0%
Pennsylvania State University
4.5%
University of Florida
4.5%
Georgia Institute of Technology -
4.5%
Brigham Young University
4.0%
Illinois Institute of Technology
4.0%
Arizona State University
4.0%
University of Southern California
4.0%
University of Utah
4.0%
Southern Methodist University
4.0%

Majors

Degrees

Masters
39.0%
Bachelors
37.7%
Other
12.7%
Doctorate
6.0%
Associate
2.3%
Certificate
1.6%
Diploma
0.7%

Software Architect

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Real Software Architect Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Software Architect	Continuum Analytics, Inc.	New York, NY	Aug 01, 2015	$300,000
Software Architect	Continuum Analytics, Inc.	New York, NY	Aug 15, 2015	$300,000
Technical Director-Software Architect	Continuum Analytics	New York, NY	Aug 21, 2015	$300,000
Software Architect	Lendingclub Corporation	San Francisco, CA	Feb 16, 2016	$250,000
Principal Software Architect, Ambulatory Practice Solutions	GE Healthcare IITS USA Corp.	Seattle, WA	Oct 19, 2015	$235,000 - $255,000
Software Architect	Lendingclub Corporation	San Francisco, CA	Aug 02, 2016	$225,000
Director, Software Architect	Upwork, Inc.	Mountain View, CA	Feb 09, 2016	$220,000
Software Architect	Faraday & Future Inc.	Gardena, CA	Jul 18, 2016	$210,000
Software Architect, Database Internals	Salesforce.Com, Inc.	San Francisco, CA	Aug 15, 2015	$210,000
Software Architect	Faraday & Future Inc.	Santa Clara, CA	Jul 25, 2016	$210,000
Software Architect	Philips Electronics North America Corporation	Foster City, CA	Aug 12, 2015	$203,500
Software Architect	Wikia, Inc.	San Francisco, CA	Jan 05, 2015	$200,000
Associate Director, Engineering and Software Architect	SONY DADC New Media Solutions, Inc.	Marina del Rey, CA	Jun 22, 2015	$114,837 - $126,500
Manager/Application Software Architect	Capgemini U.S. LLC	Raleigh, NC	Jun 15, 2015	$114,837 - $183,000
Manager/Software Architect Lead	Capgemini U.S. LLC	Burbank, CA	May 18, 2015	$114,837 - $178,000
Manager/Application Software Architect	Capgemini U.S. LLC	Burbank, CA	Jun 15, 2015	$114,837 - $183,000
Manager, Engineering and Software Architect	SONY Music Holdings Inc.	Marina del Rey, CA	Feb 19, 2015	$114,837 - $119,250
Software Architect	Cerner Corporation	North Kansas City, MO	Sep 30, 2016	$114,500
Software Architect	Cerner Corporation	North Kansas City, MO	Sep 30, 2016	$114,400
Software Architect	Itech Us, Inc.	Millington, MD	Oct 21, 2015	$114,338
Software Architect	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	Boxborough, MA	Aug 25, 2016	$93,517
Software Architect	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	Boxborough, MA	Sep 14, 2016	$93,517
Software Architect	Tech Mahindra (Americas), Inc.	Boxborough, MA	Sep 19, 2016	$93,517
Software Architect	ACI Worldwide Corp.	NE	Apr 01, 2015	$93,122
Architect-Software	SLK America Inc.	Memphis, TN	Jul 28, 2016	$93,019

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Top Skills for A Software Architect

Top Software Architect Skills

Web Application
System Architecture
Pl/Sql

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Discovered system requirements for Task Manager web application, reviewed use cases and translated them to technical specification.
Created unified system architecture for the different but interdependent systems.
Implemented the software for the Compliance Data Mart using ORACLE PL/SQL.
Performed various system and database administrative tasks on development and production servers.
Key role in implementing a Catalyst integration platform.