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Staff architect vs staff software engineer

The differences between staff architects and staff software engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a staff architect and a staff software engineer. Additionally, a staff software engineer has an average salary of $136,653, which is higher than the $74,065 average annual salary of a staff architect.

The top three skills for a staff architect include java, revit and conceptual development. The most important skills for a staff software engineer are java, python, and software development.

Staff architect vs staff software engineer overview

Staff ArchitectStaff Software Engineer
Yearly salary$74,065$136,653
Hourly rate$35.61$65.70
Growth rate3%21%
Number of jobs144,134371,213
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4539
Years of experience44

What does a staff architect do?

A Staff Architect is responsible for developing conceptual designs, preparing construction documents, and providing assistance and consultation to clients on architectural problems. They also help senior architects with various tasks.

What does a staff software engineer do?

A Staff Software Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and repairing company software for maximum efficiency and usability. They instruct and mentor their team members in software development techniques and cloud development.

Staff architect vs staff software engineer salary

Staff architects and staff software engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Staff ArchitectStaff Software Engineer
Average salary$74,065$136,653
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $114,000Between $100,000 And $186,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyNVIDIAAirbnb
Best paying industryTechnologyRetail

Differences between staff architect and staff software engineer education

There are a few differences between a staff architect and a staff software engineer in terms of educational background:

Staff ArchitectStaff Software Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorArchitectureComputer Science
Most common collegeCornell UniversityHarvard University

Staff architect vs staff software engineer demographics

Here are the differences between staff architects' and staff software engineers' demographics:

Staff ArchitectStaff Software Engineer
Average age4539
Gender ratioMale, 77.1% Female, 22.9%Male, 83.0% Female, 17.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 16.1% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 4.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 33.5% White, 48.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage15%8%

Differences between staff architect and staff software engineer duties and responsibilities

Staff architect example responsibilities.

  • Manage a training communications program and oversee the implementation of a web-base LMS.
  • Manage technical architects for development and support of existing and new terminal platforms to support Walmart mobile and batch application infrastructure.
  • Respond to RFI's and submittals, while maintaining logs and records.
  • Configure boot-from-SAN volumes for the C7000 blades through FCoE and converge network adapters.
  • Include the development and launch of a customize LMS pathway complete with a blend of e-learning and classroom sessions.
  • Assist in the contract administration of a hotel, answering RFI's and coordinating with consultants to provide workable solutions.
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Staff software engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage source code and integration for team with git, svn and Jenkins.
  • Utilize JavaScript, AJAX and HTML markup to create, edit and manage filters.
  • Lead the functional verification test team for the security component of IBM z/OS WebSphere.
  • Lead the development of QDSS windows driver and tool chain to use QDSS features for windows platform.
  • Lead a 5-person development team for the BCRS customer recovery solution system in Maximo 7.1 and J2EE.
  • Work with QA for different eBay modules to review and automate tests for testing new functionality on site.
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Staff architect vs staff software engineer skills

Common staff architect skills
  • Java, 28%
  • Revit, 18%
  • Conceptual Development, 7%
  • MEP, 7%
  • Visualization, 6%
  • Client Presentations, 5%
Common staff software engineer skills
  • Java, 18%
  • Python, 8%
  • Software Development, 7%
  • Architecture, 6%
  • Object Oriented Programming, 3%
  • Linux, 3%

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