The software architect is not just another technological worker, but the one who builds the infrastructure for any complicated project.
For smaller companies, especially ones that are outdated or monolithic, the senior developer can often take on the architect role since he or she might understand the ins and outs of the business.
But for larger companies with several projects in the making, this is a position that’s extremely important in designing the complete system to function as a powerful unit. In fact, a research from CodeScene showed that companies waste approximately 23-42% of their development time on technical debt and an effective software architecture can significantly mitigate these productivity losses.
Currently, there are over 176,000 software architects in the US, with 300,000 job openings yet to be filled. This field is expected to grow by 21% in the next four years, highlighting the high demand and the challenge of finding qualified professionals.
Despite this demand, the role of a software architect is often obscured by technical jargon and mistakenly perceived as just an advanced programming position.
This guide will help you clarify the role of a software architect, whether you’re looking to hire one or aspiring to become one. It will provide a comprehensive understanding of what the role entails, the skills required, and the potential career path. Let’s begin by defining what a software architect is.
What is a Software Architect?
A software architect is a professional who designs and plans the structure of software systems. They choose technologies, create blueprints, and set coding standards to ensure that all parts work together efficiently and that the final system meets business needs.
Software architects are usually software developers or software engineers first (but not all developers and engineers aspire or become architects). They need to bag around seven to nine years of experience in these fields to climb the software architect post.
It’s a leadership role, so it means that they’re highly experienced. They must be specialized in designing, creating, and developing applications. Of course, they must also be knowledgeable about project management and team handling.
Given the nature of the role, certain skills and qualifications are necessary for the ideal candidate.
Skills and Qualifications To Have
When assessing a software architect’s skills, consider you’re evaluating a candidate for a role similar to how you’d assess someone with deep Git expertise—someone who not only knows the commands but understands why version control matters for team collaboration and project success.
In 2025, the ideal software architect should have advanced up-to-date technological skills and plenty of business experience.. Here’s what you should looking for:
Technical Expertise:
- Cloud Architecture & Infrastructure:
They must have hands-on experience with major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud). Think of it as knowing how to choose the right tools for managing a complex Git repository—ensuring that the foundation is solid and scalable. - Microservices & Containerization:
Proficiency with designing microservices-based systems using container tools (Docker, Kubernetes) is key. This is similar to how Git handles branching and merging—breaking down a large project into smaller, manageable pieces that can evolve independently yet integrate seamlessly. - Modern Development Practices:
They should be well-versed in agile methodologies, continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), and automated testing. Just like a skilled Git user leverages pull requests and code reviews to maintain code quality, the architect ensures that best practices are baked into every development phase. - Security & Scalability:
In today’s environment, designing systems that are secure and can handle rapid growth is essential. They should know how to integrate security measures early (think Git’s role in safeguarding code history and integrity) and plan for scaling the architecture as the company grows.
Soft Skills & Leadership:
With the integration of AI, the importance of soft skills is only set to increase. A survey of 58% of HR managers indicates a growing consensus that soft skills will become even more crucial in the future. This trend underscores the need for software architects to develop and hone these skills to stay effective and relevant in their roles:
- Effective Communication:
They need to translate complex technical details into clear business language—just as you’d explain the importance of a proper Git workflow to non-technical stakeholders. - Strategic Vision:
The candidate must align technology decisions with overall business goals, ensuring that every architectural decision supports long-term growth. - Team Collaboration & Mentorship:
Like a Git repository that serves as a central hub for a team’s work, the software architect should be able to collaborate with and mentor developers, guiding the team through technical challenges and maintaining consistency across projects.
Qualifications:
- Educational Background:
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field is typical. - Extensive Industry Experience:
Ideally, 8–10+ years in software development, with proven experience in designing, building, and maintaining large-scale systems. - Relevant Certifications:
Certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, TOGAF, or similar credentials can be a strong plus, much like having advanced Git training to ensure best practices in version control. - Proven Track Record:
A portfolio or examples of past projects where they improved system performance, reduced technical debt, or scaled systems effectively.
What is the role of a software architect?
The software architect does almost everything in a company, from planning to coding to coordinating.
System Blueprint & Design
Creates detailed architecture blueprints to ensure all system components fit together seamlessly—like a master plan for a building.
Technology Evaluation & Integration
Selects the best modern tools and platforms (cloud, microservices, containerization) to build a scalable, efficient system.
Security & Scalability Planning
Designs systems with strong security measures and the ability to grow, ensuring that the digital infrastructure is safe and future-proof.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship
Guides development teams, setting coding standards and best practices, much like a seasoned coach who makes sure every player understands the game.
Stakeholder Communication
Translates complex technical details into simple, business-friendly language—helping non-tech leaders understand the system’s value and needs.
Technical Debt Management
Identifies and reduces inefficiencies in the system (technical debt) to keep development teams productive and ensure long-term quality.
Their main roles and responsibilities include the following:
1. Identify And Define A Business Problem
Their job as a software architect is to look at the bigger picture compared to their previous role as a developer or engineers. Now, they plan future system and app releases for the company.
They need to have a better grasp of the business goals. They must understand their requirements and the business drivers for the solutions.
They also have to ensure that the development aligns with the company’s goals–it has to solve a business problem.
2. Develop Software Designs
Once a software architect has nailed down the needs, the next stop is providing design concepts and technical blueprints. They need to plan the system’s features, keeping in mind that they need to be functional.
They must also test the software design feasibility. This includes identifying what might go wrong and assessing if the design meets project requirements.
3. Select Technology And Tools For Development
As a software architect, they must choose the best technology and appropriate tools to develop an application. They’re in charge of various aspects: security, for example, defining which multi-factor authentication solution to pick. This is a must for delivering high-quality output.
They come up with a tech stack that best fits the development’s requirements. They must also ensure that the dev team has access to essential resources.
4. Work With Various Business Stakeholders
In this role, they’re not boxed in one place–they also work with other stakeholders. They include the development team, management, marketing department, end-users, and customers.
A software architect helps build the codes and assigns specific development tasks to the developers. They review their code and find a way to make it work better. They have to ensure that they can actually implement the solution–it must work!
The role also entails keeping the project within the budget and time frame.
5. Monitor Long-Term Performance And Scalability
Their job as a software architect doesn’t end when the system has been developed. They also need to monitor the long-term performance of software applications.
In some cases, changes are necessary. So, they must work with the development team to implement them as needed for optimal software performance and user experience.
A software architect also looks into ways to scale the program. So, they need to evaluate the software’s architecture and see if there are areas they can improve to scale it.
How can the software handle large amounts of data or traffic? How can it meet the growing needs of the business?
They must ensure the software can handle future changes, including security updates.
Now that we have discussed the roles and responsibilities of a software architect, you might be wondering–how is it different from a software engineer or developer. Let’s get into that.
What Is the Average Salary of a Software Architect?
How much you earn as a software architect depends on your education, experience, and location. In the US, your payment may range from $130,000 to $220,000 per year.
On average, you can earn around $176,000 a year. The more experienced you are, the higher your salary could be.
Software Architect vs. Software Engineer vs. Developer: A Comparison
Maybe you already have a software engineer or a software developer in your team. And so you wonder—do you actually need to add a software architect?
Their roles may sound just the same, especially for non-technical people, but they’re also different in terms of focus, responsibilities, and skills.
| Software Architect | Software Engineer | Developer | |
| Focus | handles system-level design and architecture | creates system designsimplementing the entire system or subsystems | code implementation of specific features and functionalities, problem-solving within the system |
| Responsibilities | -creates systems -implementing the entire system or subsystems | -designing and implementing software components; – integrating the system – doing some project management tasks | – mainly writes code for specific features – debugging and testing -may be involved in system design minimally |
| Skills | – broader technical knowledge compared to the engineer and developer. – strong architectural and design skills – leadership skills – communication skills | -strong programming skills -knowledge of software design principles -problem-solving -project management | -proficient in programming languages and coding – best practices – problem-solving – analytical skills |
Their roles tend to overlap at some point. You can think of the developers as the first-level role and the engineers as the second-level. Then, the software architect is above them, being responsible for the overall system development and project management.
Find the Right Software Architect
Hiring a software architect can be a valuable addition to your tech team. They can provide technical solutions to business problems, and their leadership skills can help guide your development team toward success.
Kickstart your hiring journey with confidence by partnering with us at DistantJob. Our expertise lies in seamlessly connecting companies with top-tier global developers possessing the precise skills you need. From initial headhunting to continued support, we are dedicated to ensuring our clients navigate the hiring process effortlessly. Let’s start a conversation!
