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.
Software architect responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software architect resumes:
- Lead research and implementation of microservices, AngularJS, and other cutting edgetechnologies.
- Design and implement ASP.NET web site for support to manage and maintain customer and product information.
- Manage entire QA process from requirements documentation to final release testing.
- Convert python scripts written by Quants into C++ and c #code base.
- Support application engineers for various projects; architecture, but also debugging support for complex issues.
- Work remotely with offshore Motorola H.264 Decoder team to guide their API development and integrate into player architecture.
- Implement technical and business requirements for a gui-base Java application and associate web services.
- Develop AutoCoder java web services that provide appropriate occupation codes base on the occupation description enter by the claimants.
- Used JIRA to keep track of bugs and issues.
- Document and report all defects using JIRA.
- Core engine can take XML input and produce XML output.
- Define a corporate VPN solution to support hundreds of AWS accounts.
- Design and implement the build/deployment solution to migrate AEM code packages to AWS.
- Develop a library OS layer isolating user mode application into a virtual box.
- Implement advanced jQuery concepts like on, delegate, selectors, plugins etc.
Software architect skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Software Architects are proficient in Java, Architecture, and Cloud. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.
We break down the percentage of Software Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Java, 8%
Designed, developed and deployed online survey engine leveraging Java technologies including Tomcat, Hibernate and using Amazon cloud-computing platform.
- Architecture, 8%
Developed alternatives to the encryption/decryption process which included a proprietary implementation of the AES standard that is compatible with GPU architecture.
- Cloud, 7%
Provided technical expertise necessary to develop and implement applications and systems in the Pivotal Cloud Foundry environment.
- Software Development, 6%
Assisted in SSAE16 audit compliance which involved creating processes and requirements around software development and data security/access.
- Python, 5%
Helped develop a Python based hardware-module simulator using OO methodology to improve offline software testing.
- API, 5%
Developed the website using the Microsoft MVC 4 and Web API development technologies, hosted on the Azure hosting platform.
Common skills that a software architect uses to do their job include "java," "architecture," and "cloud." You can find details on the most important software architect responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a software 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 architect resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "developed java swing applications to support data migrations into siemens financial applications. "
Communication skills. Many software architect duties rely on communication skills. "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project," so a software architect will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software architect responsibilities rely on communication skills: "utilized java jmx (java management extensions) to enable client/server communications. "
Creativity. This is an important skill for software architects to perform their duties. For an example of how software 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 architect: "led a four person team to design/build/ship in java a skills inventory system for resource planning. ".
Detail oriented. For certain software architect responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a software architect rely on this skill, as "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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what software architects do: "architected and developed an n-tier application, using object oriented methodologies and java technologies. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a software architect to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what software architects relies on this skill, since "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." How this skill relates to software architect duties can be seen in an example from a software architect resume snippet: "expanded the company's product offering to include a cross platform java solution deployed standalone or via the web. "
The three companies that hire the most software architects are:
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Compare different software architects
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.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, software architect responsibilities require skills like "architecture," "cloud," "aws," and "javascript." Meanwhile a typical senior software development engineer has skills in areas such as "test automation," "test cases," "development environment," and "tdd." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Senior software development engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the automotive industry, with an average yearly salary of $134,736. On the other hand, software architects are paid more in the health care industry with an average salary of $119,142.The education levels that senior software development engineers earn slightly differ from software architects. In particular, senior software development engineers are 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a software architect. Additionally, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, software architect responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cloud," "aws," "javascript," and "saas." Meanwhile, a senior systems software engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "software design," "matlab," "dod," and "system design." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Senior systems software engineers earn a higher average salary than software architects. But senior systems software engineers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $125,048. Additionally, software architects earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $119,142 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior systems software engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than software architects. In fact, they're 6.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for software architects in the next 3-5 years?
Frank McCown Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Harding University
Software 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a software architect is likely to be skilled in "architecture," "cloud," "software development," and "python," while a typical architect and developer is skilled in "c #," "application architecture," "mvc," and "digital marketing."
Architects and developer earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $125,314. Comparatively, software architects have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $119,142.architects and developer typically earn similar educational levels compared to software architects. Specifically, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software architect vs. Principal software engineer
A Principal Software Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of an organization's projects. They diagnose, document, and troubleshoot systems to resolve problems identified through testing, as well as implement strategies to improve integration and efficiency.
Types of software architect
Updated January 8, 2025
