Software architects are information technology professionals who play a major role in designing software. The software architect is one of the primary sources of ideas in designing software. Software architects must understand computer programming languages, which consist of a system of letters, numbers, and code and require specialized training to read.
The software architect often functions as the leader of a team of information technology professionals, including those who implement the ideas the software architect gives them in building software. Software architects generally report to a director of information technology. The work setting for software architects is an office building where they usually have their own office and may spend a great deal of time in conference rooms with their team members. Working hours are usual business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Software architects' tools for work are computers, software, telephones, pens and paper, and other typical office supplies. The primary function of the software architect is to lead the development team in creating and building software. Software architects are the primary source of ideas for creating software, but they must also take the ideas of their team into consideration and put them together in an organized and useful fashion. Software architects must always be current in regard to software technology, as it is always changing.
Software architects usually must possess a bachelor's degree in information technology, computer programming, or computer science. Some positions require a master's degree in one of these fields. Software architects must have several years of successful experience in designing software and leadership abilities to be promoted to software architect.
The software architect must create innovative and useful ideas that are completely new or an improvement over existing software. Software architects must also be able to lead a team, collect the ideas of the team, and formulate these ideas into one very useful idea to use in building software.
Software Architect Tasks
- Conceive, experiment with, and present architectural approaches for software applications, including web, client, server, and others.
- Ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product.
- Design new software applications.
- Design new operating system components.
- Conceive, experiment with, and present architectural approaches for operating system components.