Software architect jobs can be divided into three primary categories: design, implementation and project management. A software architect is someone with advanced training in computer science, system design and software programming. Employment opportunities can be found in software companies, large organizations and consulting companies. People who are successful as a software architect typically are detail-oriented, enjoy solving problems and are able to think strategically. Managing conflicting priorities and balancing a demanding workload are skills that are required in software architect jobs.
In order to qualify for software architect jobs, formal post-secondary training is absolutely mandatory. All candidates must have graduated from a recognized college or university with a minimum undergraduate degree in computer science or software design. An increasing number of employers are looking for candidates with a graduate-level education in computer science.
The primary task of a software architect is to design the structure of a computer system or software solution. This includes the individual components or modules and graphical user interface, as well as the internal relationships and dependencies within the system. There are several different industry-standard methodologies used to complete these tasks. In most cases, the software architect also is responsible for creating system documentation that will be used by programmers and developers.
Software architect jobs are high-pressure positions, and they usually require a significant amount of overtime, including working evenings and weekends. The work that the architect completes is used by project managers, programmers, developers and others to create new software or modify an existing program for custom installation. As a key member of the development or implementation team, software architects usually are expected to have excellent leadership and communication skills.
There are many software architects jobs that are exclusively dedicated to the implementation of a specific software program. These programs typically are enterprise-level systems that require significant customization to be successfully implemented. In many situations, the software architect develops expertise in a specific module of this type of system and becomes a recognized expert on the subject matter.
Project management is a huge part of any large system design or implementation. Although most projects will have a dedicated manager, the software architect is expected to create project time lines, forecast budgets and develop a team with the skills necessary to complete the job or assignment. Many software architects work on project management tasks for 40 percent to 50 percent of their time. Additional training in project management is quite common, usually through a certification from the global Project Management Institute® as a Project Management Professional® (PMP&Reg;).