How to Become an Application Architect

Key takeaways

Earning a degree, gaining software development experience, and building architectural skills can prepare you to work as an application architect.

• An application architect plans, designs, develops, and troubleshoots the structural components and blueprints of applications.

• Key technical skills to develop to become an application architect include knowledge of programming languages, secure coding practices, cloud platforms, and data management systems.

• You can earn a degree in computer science, information technology, business, or computer engineering before working as an application architect.

Discover more about the role of application architect, the job duties and responsibilities, and the steps to take if you want to pursue this career. If you’re ready to prepare for a career in the field, consider enrolling in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate. In as little as three months, you’ll have the opportunity to develop a strong IT foundation in such topics as cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, databases, and more. By the end, you’ll have earned a career credential to share with potential employers.

What does an application architect do?

An application architect is an information technology (IT) professional responsible for planning, designing, developing, and troubleshooting applications. In this role, you’ll build the structural components and blueprints of applications. You’ll also manage how groups of applications interact with each other to meet the needs of a client’s software strategy and ensure software scalability. 

You’ll most likely manage a team of developers, take on staff training, develop best-practice strategies, and be responsible for paperwork and documentation.

Application architect job description

The role of application architect is generally a senior position, but it does vary, with some positions requiring less experience and fewer qualifications than others. However, in general, you can expect your duties and responsibilities to include the following: 

• Designing blueprints and maps for software applications and their interactions with other applications

• Managing and troubleshooting applications 

• Working with clients to understand business needs

• Providing client support in developing strategy and customization of applications.

• Researching tools and technologies, as well as industry developments, for each project

• Developing best practice models and standards for application architecture

• Maintaining important documentation and reports

• Adhering to data security, preparing risk evaluations, and meeting industry regulations

• Training staff and developers on software application development

Application architect salary and job outlook

Data for software developers, in general, shows job prospects are expected to grow by 15 percent between now and 2034 [1]. The demand for application architects continues to grow as the need for software, automation, and AI technology increases.

As an application architect, you can expect to earn high salaries, especially as you develop your skills and gain experience. An application architect's median total salary is $207,000 [2]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Read more: Application Architect Salary: Your Guide

How to become an application architect

Application architects are experienced senior software development professionals with a solid educational background, years of experience, and a range of relevant technical skills. To make a start in this technically challenging career path, you’ll need to hone your technical and workplace skills, study to a degree level, and gain experience in software development. 

First step: Obtain a relevant degree

The first step toward a career as an application architect is studying for a relevant degree. Consider computer science, information technology, business, or computer engineering majors. You may also consider an advanced degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

Seventy-seven percent of application architects have a bachelor’s degree, with 16 percent completing a master’s degree [3]. An advanced degree, such as a master’s or PhD, can increase your salary prospects [4].

Second step: Gain experience in software development

Experience is essential in the field of application architecture. Many employers ask for around five years of experience and up to 10 years of experience for a management-level position. This may include a combination of entry-level roles in software development, internships, software architecture experience, and on-the-job training.

Consider working in roles that help you gain the structural skills necessary for this position, both technical and business. Perhaps take on software development projects as a hobby or in a voluntary capacity, such as building applications and coding projects, to add to your portfolio.

Entry-level IT and software development roles can help you build industry and leadership experience. Also, consider roles that allow you to cultivate your communication, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. 

Third step: Develop architectural skills

As an applications architect, you’ll need a range of skills you can learn through your degree, personal projects, and entry-level roles. Building your architectural skills is also important, including designing secure systems, network security, and cloud platforms such as Azure, Google Cloud, and AWS.

To further develop these skills, you might consider certifications. Certifications and professional certificates help you build on your academic studies with a practical approach or focus on a technical capability in more detail. Examples include:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert 

• AWS Cloud Solutions Architect Professional Certificate 

Essential skills for an application architect

To work as an application architect, you need to demonstrate a mix of technical abilities and workplace skills. While this career is highly technical, it also involves working with people, problem-solving, and sometimes leading others. 

Technical skills

Technical skills are of high importance in this role. You’ll need to learn a range of skills necessary for software development, as well as skills in architecture. Examples include:

• Coding languages like AJAX, C#, C++, CSS, Java, PHP

• Secure coding practices

• Architecture frameworks like .NET, Java Enterprise

• Cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud

• Application programming interface (API)

• Application development

• User interface (UI)

• Project management 

• Scrum

• Data management systems like SQL Server 

Workplace skills

Workplace skills are an important aspect of your role as an application architect. The ability to work with others, understand clients’ requirements, and troubleshoot is vital to your success. Find some examples of essential workplace skills below:

• Leading teams

• Training and teaching

• Verbal and written communication

• Teamwork

• Problem-solving

Application architect career path

To meet the requirements for a role as an application architect, consider building your technical and architecture experience. A good place to start is through internships while you study or entry-level jobs. Examples include software developer and programmer before you move to the senior developer position over time.

Once you have solid experience in application architecture, you may have the opportunity to move to more senior positions or leadership roles. Examples you might work toward with experience include software architect, director of software architecture, lead software architect, or chief technical officer (CTO).

Explore free resources for your IT career

Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn, where you can explore emerging industry trends. You can also check out the following free resources as you prepare for a career in IT:

• Learn your vocabulary: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary 

• Build your skills: Azure Learning Roadmap: From Beginner to Expert

• Watch on YouTube: Your Quick Guide to Cloud Computing 

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