What is a systems architect and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Frank McCown Ph.D.,

Christian Hansen Ph.D.

A systems architect designs and oversees computer systems. They develop and implement technology solutions that meet business needs. Systems architects analyze requirements, identify potential issues, and recommend solutions. They aim to create scalable, secure, and maintainable systems. A systems architect also works with stakeholders to ensure that the system aligns with business objectives. They may oversee the work of software developers and network engineers, and collaborate with business leaders to support organizational goals.

What general advice would you give to a systems architect?

Frank McCown Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Harding University

The market is stable for software developers, despite the economic challenges created by the pandemic. Before accepting a job offer, talk to the company's employees through online meetings or email, and see what they think of the company. Do they enjoy their work? Are there opportunities to learn new technologies? How does the company treat their employees? There's a good chance you will be working remotely in your first job, so you will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline, be punctual for online meetings, do the work you've been assigned, and know when to ask questions when you get stuck. Expect a steeper-than-normal learning curve if you are working remotely instead of in an office.

ScoreSystems ArchitectUS Average

Salary

7.7

Avg. Salary $103,764

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.9

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 9.76%

male 90.24%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a systems architect?

Pros

High demand for skilled professionals
High salary potential
Possibility for remote work or flexible schedule
Potential for leadership and management roles
Contributing to the success of an organization

Cons

Long hours and tight deadlines can be stressful
Potential for tight budgets or limited resources
May require significant travel or relocation for projects
May require working outside of traditional business hours to avoid system downtime
Limited work-life balance due to on-call responsibilities or emergencies

Key steps to become a systems architect

Explore systems architect education requirements

Most common systems architect degrees

Bachelor's

66.7 %

Master's

21.3 %

Associate

6.9 %

Start to develop specific systems architect skills

Skills	Percentages
Cloud	10.10%
Java	8.00%
Python	6.45%
C++	6.14%
System Architecture	5.85%

Complete relevant systems architect training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New systems architects learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a systems architect based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real systems architect resumes.

Gain additional systems architect certifications

Systems architect certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific systems architect certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for systems architects include Certified System Architect (CSA) and Certified Senior System Architect (CSSA).

More About Certifications

Research systems architect duties and responsibilities

Lead the customization of an open-source CRM platform to meet the demands of a leading EMEA pharmaceutical company.
Lead evaluation and sourcing effort for CRM implementation and implement internal tools to supplement CRM capabilities in the interim.
Manage the security and performance optimization for EJB containers and web applications in IBM websphere, IBMIHS web server.
Manage in-house and offshore consultants along with engineering team working on multiple product deployment and implementation in DEV and QA space.

Get systems architect experience

Prepare your systems architect resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your systems architect resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a systems architect resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable systems architect resume templates

Build a professional systems architect resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your systems architect resume.