What does a systems architect do?

A systems architect specializes in designing and developing computer networks and systems for company operations. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around conducting research and analysis to identify a company's needs, devising strategies to reach particular goals, improving existing systems, and implementing solutions for optimal processes. A systems architect must also monitor the progress of all implementations, prepare progress reports and presentations, provide technical support as needed, and train new workforce members, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, including vision and mission.
Systems architect responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real systems architect resumes:
- 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.
- Manage Linux dedicate hosting servers.
- Manage SDLC for major enterprise-level system.
- Propose a Java EJB/Oracle base system architecture and develop a framework for application development.
- Research and demonstrate opportunities to use cloud computing for developing and hosting applications.
- Work on JSP tags and OOTB Pega API's.
- Involve in daily scrum and sprint meetings.
- Design many solutions for the clients using Hyperion applications.
- Track the progress using daily scrum and update in tasks/user stories.
- Used MFA for AWS authentication into unclassified portal for RBAC access.
- Work to configure WebSphere in order to configure for JMS listeners.
- Work on converting existing HTTP Connectors/Services to use HTTPS (SSL/TLS).
Systems architect skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Systems Architects are proficient in Cloud, Java, and Python. They’re also known for soft skills such as Organizational skills, Technical skills, and Visualization skills.
We break down the percentage of Systems Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cloud, 10%
Researched and demonstrated opportunities to use cloud computing for developing and hosting applications.
- Java, 8%
Authored Statements of Work and directed Java and Web software developers to deliver system to demanding medical customers
- Python, 6%
Developed Python KeyCron service to check for availability of customer encryption key files, and automatically download it for processing.
- C++, 6%
Led team of six developers and performed hands-on development using Lotus Domino, LotusScript, and C++ on NT.
- System Architecture, 6%
Deliver system architecture and engineering analysis for Air Force Air Operation Center modernization program, Mission Thread design and rework effort.
- Linux, 4%
Standardized Linux host deployment policy and procedure using standard configuration scripts and templates, ongoing monitoring and automatic replacement as needed.
Common skills that a systems architect uses to do their job include "cloud," "java," and "python." You can find details on the most important systems architect responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. A big part of what systems architects do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to systems architect responsibilities because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical systems architect tasks: "implemented prototype application in wpf for registration, data loading and analysis and data visualization. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for systems architect responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of systems architects all the time, as "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." An excerpt from a real systems architect resume shows how this skill is central to what a systems architect does: "directed, designed and implemented the first 3-tier intranet application for snyder communications' gte business processing. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill commonly found on systems architect job descriptions is "problem-solving skills." It can come up quite often in systems architect duties, since "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day systems architect responsibilities: "developed sharepoint full trust and sandbox solutions to meet business needs. "
The three companies that hire the most systems architects are:
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
342 systems architects jobs
- General Dynamics314 systems architects jobs
- Pegasystems183 systems architects jobs
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Systems architect vs. Senior infrastructure engineer
A senior infrastructure engineer specializes in designing and developing systems and infrastructures based on client preferences and industry standards. They have the duty to identify and understand the project's needs, streamline project requirements, produce drafts, create prototypes and models, and establish tests to identify potential issues and ensure the projects' quality. Additionally, a senior infrastructure engineer has the authority to make decisions, train and supervise junior engineers, establish goals and timelines, provide technical support, and implement policies and guidelines.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between systems architects and senior infrastructure engineer. For instance, systems architect responsibilities require skills such as "python," "c++," "c #," and "system architecture." Whereas a senior infrastructure engineer is skilled in "aws," "customer service," "powershell," and "troubleshoot." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Senior infrastructure engineers earn the highest salaries when working in the hospitality industry, with an average yearly salary of $123,360. On the other hand, systems architects are paid more in the automotive industry with an average salary of $116,386.senior infrastructure engineers tend to reach lower levels of education than systems architects. In fact, senior infrastructure engineers are 11.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Systems architect vs. Technical team lead
The responsibilities of a technical team lead revolve around overseeing the progress and performance of a technical team, ensuring they are functioning efficiently. They mostly delegate tasks, manage schedules, set goals, produce reports and presentations, respond to correspondence, and coordinate with staff, clients, and other department personnel to ensure accuracy and timeliness for all projects. As the leader, it is crucial to implement the policies and regulations of the company, all while leading and encouraging the staff to reach goals.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that systems architect responsibilities requires skills like "cloud," "python," "system architecture," and "azure." But a technical team lead might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "patients," "troubleshoot," and "architecture."
Technical team leads earn a lower average salary than systems architects. But technical team leads earn the highest pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $114,182. Additionally, systems architects earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $116,386 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Technical team leads tend to reach lower levels of education than systems architects. In fact, they're 10.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for systems architects in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Howard Rees
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Information Systems, Rider University
Meaning that the applications (and those "operating" them) do not understand what's happening inside. AI systems are often "designed, trained, and tested" by the provider and certified as generating the output most desired by the customer but only in a statistical sense. There is no "proof" that the AI black box is, with certainty, doing what the business customer (or the provider for that matter) thinks it is doing - it just does a good job when tested on data. There will be a significant need for tech-savvy people to design, train, monitor, and apply them so that they do not deviate from the desired goals. Such deviations can result in socially destructive business practices. As you can't properly manage what you don't understand, there is a risk in using AI too blindly. CS and IT graduates will need to help out.
Systems 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, systems architects are more likely to have skills like "cloud," "c #," "system architecture," and "project management." But a senior systems software engineer is more likely to have skills like "software development," "architecture," "c," and "scrum."
Senior systems software engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $125,048. On the other hand, systems architects are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $116,386.senior systems software engineers typically earn similar educational levels compared to systems architects. Specifically, they're 2.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Systems 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.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between systems architects and architects and developer, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a systems architect might have more use for skills like "cloud," "python," "system architecture," and "project management." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of architects and developer require skills like "design patterns," "application architecture," "html css," and "web application. "
Architects and developer enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $125,314. For comparison, systems architects earn the highest salary in the automotive industry.In general, architects and developer hold similar degree levels compared to systems architects. Architects and developer are 2.3% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of systems architect
Updated January 8, 2025











