What Does a Solutions Architect Do?

A solution architect is a professional responsible for designing, planning, and implementing solutions within an organization. In general, the solutions architect’s role is to explain the business requirements to the development team and lead them in building a product that can solve real business issues effectively. The position is very responsible and requires wide-ranging IT skills and knowledge. With companies increasingly relying on software and emerging technologies, the role of this expert will continue to gain weight.

what do solution architects do

However, it’s the proven approach to become an IT solution architect, increase and acquire credibility. As for the business owners, it allows them to assess candidates’ tech knowledge mariadb developers and to define if they’re experienced enough to be involved in your project. Solutions architect skills include technical knowledge, communication, and leadership skills.

Careers Related to Software Engineering

A solution architect is sometimes confused with enterprise architect and software architect. This is because their positions sound similar and the responsibilities overlap partially. Yet, each role is essential for a project’s success and cannot be substituted by another position. The implementation stage covers the entire process of software development, including writing specifications and quality assurance. At first, a software architect works with the tech team to elaborate on all possible options of how the idea can be made a reality. It’s also worth mentioning that the role of a solution architect is not limited just to ideation.

The average salary for a solutions architect can range between $91,000 to $172,000 annually, depending on the experience the candidate has. The average technical architecture salary in the United States is currently around $124,960. Solutions architecture requires both technical and interpersonal skills to design, describe, and manage solutions. They evaluate the existing environment and examine how different elements of business, information, and technology can be applied to solve a specific problem.

How do Career Paths Differ for Azure Solutions Architect and Technical Architect?

If you want to learn more about solutions architects and their importance to your organization, reach out to a skilled development partner for additional information and context. However, this role is critical to organizations that want to utilize technology. There are several different certifications that can illustrate the technical expertise of an experienced solution architect. Depending on your organization’s existing environment, certain certifications will be more important to your organization than others.

  • A domain architect defines the standards, policies, and patterns for the domain, as well as the interfaces and dependencies with other domains.
  • By identifying potential areas of improvement, they can recommend modifications or enhancements that increase efficiency and productivity.
  • We now anticipate that you have answers to all the pertinent questions regarding – What is a solutions architect and more.
  • In addition, some employers require the completion of some certification programs.
  • Leading projects, coordinating teams, and overseeing the implementation of solutions require exceptional leadership and project management skills.

After that, they cooperate with a business analyst to help the latter properly translate stakeholders’ requirements into functional and non-functional requirements for a product. The solution architect must be able to describe the solution in a language understandable to all. Take our free career test to find out if solution architect is one of your top career matches. The Solution Architect salary fluctuates widely, influenced by factors such as geographic location, industry, years of experience, and the complexity of the projects they undertake. A Cloud Solution Architect specializes in devising and implementing solutions on cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure.

Technical background and experience

Lead consultants tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $103,411. In contrast, solutions architects make the biggest average salary, $122,080, in the retail industry. Most solutions architects earn a bachelor’s degree in information technology, information systems, software engineering, or computer science. A master’s degree is usually needed for specialization in systems architecture, and some employers may prefer applicants to have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in information systems. A solutions architect not only has to have enough technical knowledge to work with the development team, but they also must have the communication skills to work in a managerial capacity in many cases. The role of a solution architect is to ensure the product meets business requirements and requirements from other stakeholders.

what do solution architects do

A solutions architect needs to possess a broad set of technical and soft skills. This is an upper-level, highly skilled position, so the market for these candidates will be competitive, and there won’t be an abundance of them available. A solutions architect can deliver the technical leadership your organization needs to choose the right software systems and hardware. However, having a solution architect in your organization is vital to the long-term success of your organization and corporate strategy.

Software Development Sources

As more and more companies depend on emerging technologies, the future for solution architects looks bright. However, a technical architect is responsible for overseeing technical engineering and implementation. A solution architect should be working and collaborating with leaders across every segment of your organization. In addition, a solutions architect must also work closely with clients and key stakeholders. Although each of our cases is unique, we adapt to the client’s business needs and financial capabilities.

Of course, all architect roles are crossed with other architect roles, but network SA should concentrate more on networking areas such as LAN, WAN, internet, intranet, VPN, IDS, IPS, Firewall, etc. First, SAs look closely at how the different elements of business, information, and technology can be applied to solve a specific problem. So be confident in understanding OS and what it is, how people use it, and all the different OS out there, and then learn to program — Python, YAML, etc. When you understand all this you can now jump into simple code; you can now automate whatever, and deploy applications. We are not selling the product, we are providing them the best solutions they can use to solve their problems. For me, I come in there, understand their problem, and have those big conversations.

Solutions Architect Related Careers

A solution architect’s role differs from enterprise architects and technical architects. This page will explain the roles and responsibilities of a solutions architect, their career path, and how they differentiate from other IT roles. Being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders, project managers, developers, and software vendors involved in the software development process is essential for a solutions architect. As an architect has a central role in any project and leads every team on it, ineffective communication can lead to big bottlenecks.

what do solution architects do

Architects are also responsible for the project context from the very beginning to the current moment. They need to remember all the details of the projects and ideas to validate and approve them on time. Although solutions architects are not directly involved in project development, they still need to ensure that project resources are being used efficiently and impactfully. They should be business-minded and capable of identifying the most effective solution at every turn for every part of the architecture.

Ensuring Technological Scalability and Compliance with Security Standards

They are typically hired by organizations to provide technical expertise and guidance in the development of software applications, systems, and other IT infrastructure. A solution architect must be knowledgeable in both technical and business aspects, and work closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and constraints. They are responsible for defining the scope, identifying potential opportunities, and selecting appropriate technologies and platforms to achieve the desired outcomes.

Azure Solutions Architect or Technical Architect: Roles and Responsibilities

The primary role of a solution architect is to ensure the product meets business requirements and requirements from other stakeholders. It’s like hiring a super-senior developer but with deep expertise in a specific field — healthcare, education, traveling, or any other. For solution architects, the business side of the product matters as much as the technical side.

Solutions Architect

A solutions architect designs and implements technology solutions for businesses. They work with clients to understand their needs and then develop technical solutions that meet those needs. This includes designing software architectures, developing project plans, and overseeing the implementation of technology solutions.