What is Software Architect
Companies across different industries require software architects who can help them deliver better products and services. Software architects may choose from various industries, such as finance, retail, manufacturing, and software development. Let us explore what a software architect is, the roles and responsibilities, how to become a software architect and more.
What is a Software Architect?
A Software Architect is an IT professional or a computer programmer with expertise in Software Development. Software architects ascertain the processes and technologies that the development team should use. They also troubleshoot coding problems and collaborate with various teams to effectively execute processes and develop high-performance software systems and solutions.
Types of Software Architects
Software architects design software systems. Their role may vary from organization to organization and depending on the type of software solution they design. Below are a few job titles related to software architects:
- System Architect
- Solution Architect
- Enterprise Architect
- Application Architect
- Data Architect
- Information Architect
- Security Architect
- Cloud Architect
Roles and Responsibilities of a Software Architect
Typically, a software architect is responsible for the following roles and responsibilities:
- Communicating with clients to understand their business goals, identify software requirements, and design solutions to meet their needs.
- Developing high-level product specifications and design documents.
- Leading teams to design and develop applications.
- Creating architectural blueprints for the development team.
- Determining technical standards, processes, and tools for projects.
- Collaborating with other teams for designing quality software solutions.
- Troubleshooting coding or design issues.
- Setting goals and presenting progress reports.
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Qualifications & Eligibility to Become a Software Architect
To become a software architect, you need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a related domain. Knowledge of various software development concepts and proficiency in coding will also be required. You will also need to be familiar with new-age concepts, such as DevOps, Agile framework, and system design.
Skills Required to Become a Software Architect
Software architects need a combination of hard skills and soft skills to excel in their roles. Some of the key skill skills required by software architects include:
Technical Skills
- Experience in software development
- Experience in project management
- Knowledge of one or more programming languages, such as Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Rust, and C
- Knowledge of different development platforms
- Understanding of web applications, cybersecurity, and open-source technologies
- Proficiency in analyzing code for issues and errors
Soft Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Leadership abilities
- Analytical mindset
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Prioritizing
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
How to Become a Software Architect?
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Usually, software architects have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. It takes around four years of full-time study. So, the first step to becoming a software architect is to enroll yourself in a relevant study program.
You can pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related fields to strengthen your basics and become eligible for exciting career opportunities in top tech companies.
2. Gain Programming Knowledge
Software architects need to have a good knowledge of programming languages and frameworks. You can take up an online programming course to learn different in-demand programming languages, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, and Go.
Using your programming knowledge, you can build projects and can participate in coding challenges to get hands-on experience.
3. Work as a Software Developer
Software Architect is not an entry-level role. You can reach this role after years of experience, advanced education, and increased responsibility. To reach the software architect position, you can start with a software developer role to build technical knowledge, soft skills, and gain hands-on experience. Working as a software developer will help you to understand the development domain and make it easier for you to get into the software architect role.
4. Get Relevant Certifications
There are many online certifications for software architects. These certifications help validate your skills and enable you to gain some practical exposure.
Here is the list of some of the top software architect courses and certifications:
- The Software Architect Code: Building the Digital World on edX
- Software Architecture for the Internet of Things on Coursera
- Big Data Architect Master's Program on Simplilearn
- Become an Enterprise Architect with TOGAF 9 dot 1 Part 1 on Udemy
- Microservices Certification Training on Edureka
5. Work on Soft Skills
To become a successful software architect, soft skills are as important as hard skills. As a software architect, you will need good communication skills to collaborate with clients, developers, peers, and other team members. You will also need other skills, such as problem-solving skills, and time management. Once you determine what soft skills you need to work on, you can take up online courses to build and improve them.
6. Gain Industry Experience
After this, you can start looking for job opportunities. You can start as a computer programmer or software developer and move up the career ladder to become a software architect. Working as a computer programmer or software developer will help you develop skills in key areas, such as coding, DevOps, and system design.
Which Profiles Can go For a Software Architect Profile?
It is best suited for:
- Software engineers
- Project managers
- Web developers
- IT consultants
- Lead systems engineers
- Technical leads
Qualifications & Eligibility to Become a Software Architect
To become a software architect, you will need a bachelor's degree in computer engineering or a related domain. Knowledge of various software development concepts and proficiency in coding will also be required. You will also need to be familiar with new-age concepts, such as DevOps, Agile framework, and system design.
Skills Required to Become a Software Architect
Software architects need a combination of hard skills and soft skills to excel in their roles. Some of the key skill skills required by software architects include:
Technical Skills
- Experience in software development
- Experience in project management
- Knowledge of one or more programming languages, such as Java, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Rust, and C
- Knowledge of different development platforms
- Understanding of web applications, cybersecurity, and open-source technologies
- Proficiency in analyzing code for issues and errors
Soft Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Leadership abilities
- Analytical mindset
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Prioritizing
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
How to Become a Software Architect?
1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Usually, software architects have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field. It takes around four years of full-time study. So, the first step to becoming a software architect is to enroll yourself in a relevant study program.
You can pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related fields to strengthen your basics and become eligible for exciting career opportunities in top tech companies.
2. Gain Programming Knowledge
Software architects need to have a good knowledge of programming languages and frameworks. You can take up an online programming course to learn different in-demand programming languages, such as Python, Java, JavaScript, and Go.
Using your programming knowledge, you can build projects and can participate in coding challenges to get hands-on experience.
3. Work as a Software Developer
Software Architect is not an entry-level role. You can reach this role after years of experience, advanced education, and increased responsibility. To reach the software architect position, you can start with a software developer role to build technical knowledge, soft skills, and gain hands-on experience. Working as a software developer will help you to understand the development domain and make it easier for you to get into the software architect role.
4. Get Relevant Certifications
There are many online certifications for software architects. These certifications help validate your skills and enable you to gain some practical exposure.
Here is the list of some of the top software architect courses and certifications:
- The Software Architect Code: Building the Digital World on edX
- Software Architecture for the Internet of Things on Coursera
- Big Data Architect Master's Program on Simplilearn
- Become an Enterprise Architect with TOGAF 9 dot 1 Part 1 on Udemy
- Microservices Certification Training on Edureka
5. Work on Soft Skills
To become a successful software architect, soft skills are as important as hard skills. As a software architect, you will need good communication skills to collaborate with clients, developers, peers, and other team members. You will also need other skills, such as problem-solving skills, and time management. Once you determine what soft skills you need to work on, you can take up online courses to build and improve them.
6. Gain Industry Experience
After this, you can start looking for job opportunities. You can start as a computer programmer or software developer and move up the career ladder to become a software architect. Working as a computer programmer or software developer will help you develop skills in key areas, such as coding, DevOps, and system design.
Which Profiles Can go For a Software Architect Profile?
It is best suited for:
- Software engineers
- Project managers
- Web developers
- IT consultants
- Lead systems engineers
- Technical leads
Software Architects – Job Outlook
Many organizations in every industry are now entirely reliant on digital channels. They need to meet rapidly evolving business needs and software. This has increased the demand for software architects around the world. Software architecture is becoming one of the most in-demand and rewarding careers worldwide.
The increasing rate of technology evolution and the adoption of agile methods have seen a profound change in the roles and responsibilities of a software architect. Software architect can be a profile-building career and learn a lot about the product, how customers use it, or what they need. It will help you strengthen some professional and technical areas like software coding standards, tools associated with the job, and the business side.
Top Companies Hiring Software Architects
Some top companies that hire software architects include Deloitte, Amazon, Microsoft, Dell, PwC, Philips, KPMG, and Cognizant.
Software Architect Salary
According to AmbitionBox, the salary of a software architect in India varies between Rs.11.7 Lakh to Rs. 46.8 Lakh per year. The average salary of software architects in India is Rs. 25.0 Lakh annually.
Conclusion
The software architect is a lucrative career option to explore. Software architects need to learn new skills, programming languages, and be aware of modern technological developments to accommodate the changing technological environment.
Enroll in an online software architect course today and start your journey in this exciting field.
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