Who Is a Technical Architect? Role, Responsibilities, Skills & More

Technical Architect: An Overview

A Technical architect also referred to as an IT Systems Architect, is a systems logistics specialist who creates, maintains, and implements IT systems for a growing business or IT firm. You will need the right mix of IT knowledge and managerial skills to succeed in a technical architect career.

Technical architect roles typically involve:

• Designing the structure of technology systems
• Managing the implementation of programs
• Coordinating with the software development team to ensure the system runs smoothly

A technical architect manages IT projects right from inception to completion. Hence it’s imperative for them to understand all aspects of every system, from both business and technical points of view. They act as links between managers and designers or developers.  

Duties like identifying organizational needs, agreeing on plans with clients, reporting progress to managers, and advising clients on future IT developments are also part of technical architect responsibilities. 

If you are keen to take up a technical architect job, you can find opportunities almost everywhere. The technical architecture role is not just restricted to IT companies. Public service organizations, Government departments, financial companies, and utility companies are some of the areas you can choose to work in. However, to become a technical architect, you’ll need to work your way up an IT career path through the lines of promotion.

Employers look for a wide range of skills in technical architects, including good communication and problem-solving skills, ability to assimilate information, updated technical know-how, and ability to think ahead.

The salary you can earn as a technical architect will depend upon your experience. The average base salary in the US is $130,536 per year.

Technical Architect: Job Role

Technical Architect is a universal job title referring to a professional who oversees the technical work or IT architecture of an organization. However, there are more specialized job roles that fall under the technical architect category. Some such roles are:

• Applications architect who supervise individual parts of major IT projects and undertake technical duties  
• Solutions architect, who leads entire projects.
• Enterprise architect, IT technical architect who oversees an organization’s IT strategy
• Cloud technical architect who works on cloud computing architecture
• Infrastructure architect undertaking projects related to hardware and infrastructure equipment. 
• Besides, there are roles like an associate technical architect, lead technical architect

However, these job titles are not standardized across the IT industry. We recommend you check job adverts carefully to ascertain the details of a job position. Same job titles may vary significantly across businesses in terms of duties and level of seniority. 

Technical Architect: Role and Responsibilities

Technical architects play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between business needs and technological solutions within an organization. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from designing and planning IT systems to overseeing their implementation and ensuring their alignment with organizational objectives. Below are the key technical architect roles and responsibilities:

1. Designing Technology Systems

Technical architects are tasked with designing the architecture and structure of IT systems to meet the specific requirements of the organization. This involves:

• Conducting thorough analysis of business requirements and translating them into technical specifications.
• Creating comprehensive system blueprints and diagrams to visualize the architecture.
• Selecting appropriate technologies, platforms, and frameworks to support the desired functionalities and scalability of the system.

2. Managing Implementation

Once the design phase is complete, technical architects oversee the implementation of the planned IT systems. Their responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with software development teams to ensure the successful execution of the design.
• Providing guidance and direction to developers throughout the implementation process.
• Monitoring progress and addressing any issues or deviations from the design plan in a timely manner.

3. Coordinating with Stakeholders

Technical architects serve as the primary point of contact between technical teams and stakeholders across the organization. This involves:

• Communicating effectively with business leaders, project managers, and other stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Presenting technical proposals and solutions to stakeholders in a clear and understandable manner.
• Facilitating discussions and negotiations to resolve conflicts or discrepancies between different stakeholders' expectations.

4. Ensuring System Reliability and Performance

Technical architects are responsible for ensuring that IT systems meet performance, reliability, and security standards. This includes:

• Conducting thorough testing and quality assurance procedures to identify and address any issues or vulnerabilities.
• Implementing best practices for system optimization, scalability, and fault tolerance.
• Monitoring system performance metrics and implementing corrective actions as needed to maintain optimal performance.

5. Providing Technical Leadership

In addition to their hands-on technical responsibilities, technical architects provide leadership and guidance to technical teams. This involves:

• Mentoring and coaching team members to enhance their technical skills and capabilities.
• Setting technical standards and best practices for development and architecture.
• Serving as a subject matter expert on technology trends, emerging tools, and industry best practices.

6. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

Technical architects play a key role in driving innovation and continuous improvement within the organization's technology landscape. This includes:

• Staying abreast of latest technological advancements and evaluating their potential impact on the organization.
• Identifying opportunities for process optimization, automation, and efficiency gains.
• Leading initiatives to pilot new technologies or methodologies and assess their feasibility for adoption.

Technical Architect Job Description Template

A well-crafted job description is essential for attracting qualified candidates for the role of technical architect. Below is a comprehensive template outlining the key components of a technical architect job description:

Job Title:

Technical Architect

Summary:

The technical architect plays a crucial role in designing and implementing IT systems that align with the organization's strategic objectives. This position requires a combination of technical expertise, project management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across various levels of the organization.

Responsibilities:

• System Design and Architecture:
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
• Design and architect scalable, reliable, and secure IT systems that meet organizational needs.
• Develop comprehensive system blueprints, diagrams, and documentation to guide implementation.
• Project Management:
• Lead and oversee the implementation of IT projects from inception to completion.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including developers, engineers, and business analysts, to ensure project milestones are met.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure timely delivery.
• Stakeholder Communication:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technical discussions with stakeholders, including executives, project managers, and end-users.
• Present technical proposals, recommendations, and progress updates in a clear and concise manner.
• Collaborate with business leaders to align technical solutions with organizational goals and objectives.
• Technical Leadership:
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to team members, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
• Establish and enforce technical standards, best practices, and coding guidelines across projects.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, evaluating their potential impact on the organization.
• Quality Assurance and Performance Optimization:
• Conduct thorough testing and quality assurance activities to ensure the reliability, performance, and security of IT systems.
• Implement monitoring and performance tuning strategies to optimize system performance and scalability.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, working closely with support teams to minimize downtime.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• Proven experience as a technical architect or similar role, with a strong background in system design and architecture.
• Proficiency in software development methodologies, programming languages, and database technologies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, Prince2) is a plus.

Additional Information:

• This is a full-time position based at [Location].
• Competitive salary and benefits package offered.
• Opportunity for career growth and advancement within the organization.

Technical Architect Role in Different Industries

The role of a technical architect can vary significantly depending on the industry and organizational context. Here's how the responsibilities of a technical architect may differ across different industries:

Information Technology (IT) Firms

• In IT firms, technical architects are responsible for designing and implementing software solutions for clients across various industries.
• They may specialize in specific technology domains such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, or enterprise systems integration.
• Technical architects collaborate closely with sales and marketing teams to understand client requirements and develop tailored solutions to meet their needs.

Public Service Organizations

• In public service organizations such as government agencies or non-profit organizations, technical architects play a vital role in modernizing and optimizing IT infrastructure.
• They may be involved in designing and implementing e-government solutions, digital transformation initiatives, and data management systems to improve service delivery and efficiency.

Financial Companies

• In financial companies such as banks, insurance firms, and investment firms, technical architects focus on building robust and secure IT systems to handle sensitive financial data.
• They may be responsible for designing high-performance trading platforms, risk management systems, or customer relationship management (CRM) solutions.

Utility Companies

• In utility companies such as energy providers or telecommunications companies, technical architects are involved in designing and managing complex infrastructure systems.
• They may oversee the deployment of smart grid technologies, network optimization solutions, or customer billing systems to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Healthcare Organizations

• In healthcare organizations such as hospitals, clinics, and healthcare technology companies, technical architects work on developing interoperable electronic health record (EHR) systems, telemedicine platforms, and medical imaging solutions.
• They play a critical role in ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA and safeguarding patient privacy and data security.

Technical Architect – Skills Required

The role of a technical architect is truly varied – so employers look for a wide range of skills while recruiting for the job. 

Hard skills required for the technical aspect of the job include:

• Degree or Post Graduate in Information Technology, Computer Science, or relevant subjects
• Proven work experience as Technical Architect or Project Manager
• Hands-on experience in software development and system administration
• Knowledge of strategic IT solutions
• Extensive knowledge of computer hardware and networking systems
• Familiarity with programming languages like Javascript, Java, SQL, SAP, Oracle, and C#
• Familiarity with operating systems like Windows, UNIX, and databases like MySQL
• Experience in cloud computing and cloud Technologies

You will acquire most of these technical skills during the course of your study and in your early career as a solutions architect. Once you get employed, you can consider taking short, specialized courses to boost your skill set.

Besides, you’ll need a few soft skills required for the management aspect of technical architecture.

• Excellent communication skills – you should be adept at listening to, understanding, and explaining key concepts to managerial and technical resources.
• Good Anticipation and problem-solving skills – an expert technical architect should be able to anticipate where problems might crop up and find solutions before the system gets deployed. 
• Ability to deal with pressure – must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to prioritize and manage time – IT projects often have fixed deadlines that cannot be averted
• Relationship building - Ability to form a good rapport with clients, managers, and colleagues as part of trust-building 
• In-depth knowledge about quality standards, legislation, and best practices 

Still unsure if you’ve got the skills for the job? Well, if you could tick some of the skills above, you are sorted.  

The technical architect is a senior position, and to become one, you’ll probably need to work your way up an IT career path. It is difficult to bag a technical architect job right after university – you will need to gather experience working in the IT sector. 

A good starting point can be a job in systems development, programming, or testing – and climbing up the career ladder thereafter. In the meanwhile, you can choose avenues for professional development. For that you may explore Post Graduate Program in Cloud Computing. This comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the latest skills and knowledge required to excel in the rapidly evolving field of cloud computing. After completing the training, you’ll be adept at designing and implementing cloud solutions, managing cloud infrastructure, and optimizing cloud-based applications for performance and scalability. Visit Simplilearn to learn more about the benefits of our Post Graduate Program in Cloud Computing and how it can accelerate your career in the cloud industry.