How to become a technical architect

Working as a technical architect, you'll design, build and deliver programs or systems for business clients using your technical expertise, carefully managing projects through each stage of the process

What does a technical architect do?

In most cases, you'll work within the IT department of a large organisation or for an IT firm that specialises in delivering assignments for business clients. The responsibilities of a technical architect include:

• working alongside managers or clients to agree on their IT requirements
• identifying the hardware and software that will be needed
• explaining plans agreed upon with managers to designers and developers
• organising the workloads of the technical teams in the most efficient way
• monitoring the progress of the project and ensuring it's completed on time
• reporting progress back to managers or clients
• carrying out some of the technical work, depending on your level of seniority
• checking IT systems work as intended
• advising and suggesting future IT developments to managers or clients.

There is some crossover with the project manager role, although these typically work in other sectors such as:

• construction
• engineering
• marketing.

As a technical architect, you'll work standard office hours but may also work overtime or weekends to ensure deadlines are met.

What types of roles are available?

Technical architect is a general job title referring to the person who supervises an organisation's technical work (or IT architecture as it's referred to). However, it can be divided into more specific roles within the same field. These include:

• Applications (or software) architects lead individual parts of major IT projects and perform hands-on technical tasks.
• Solutions architects are more senior than applications architects and lead entire projects.
• Enterprise architects are responsible for an organisation's IT strategy and direction.
• Infrastructure architects lead projects involving hardware and infrastructure equipment.

Jobs advertised as 'technical architect' may combine some or all of these, depending on factors such as the employer's size.

Bear in mind that these terms aren't standardised across the IT sector. Always check job adverts carefully to discover the details of the vacancy, as the duties and level of seniority involved can vary significantly within the same job title.

Although most positions are in London, technical architect jobs are available across the UK.

How much can I earn?

According to the National Careers Service (NCS), technical architects earn between £40,000 and £90,000 per year, depending on experience, with higher senior-level salaries.

What skills do technical architects need?

You'll need a broad and up-to-date knowledge of software applications, programming languages and hardware, as well as an understanding of quality standards, legislation and best practice in the IT industry.

You'll generally gain this knowledge of technical architecture during your studies and early career.

Once you've moved into employment, consider taking short courses that lead to professional qualifications in areas of particular relevance, such as Agile and ITIL methodologies.

You may require at least a basic understanding of the following programming languages and what they do:

• C#
• Java/J2EE
• Oracle
• SAP
• SQL.

In addition to technical ability, you'll also need advanced soft skills for the management side of the job. These include:

• Anticipating and solving problems - a key part of the role is identifying issues that might arise during an IT project and finding solutions before they go 'live' and disrupt the organisation.
• Communication skills - you'll need to be adept at listening to, understanding and explaining concepts to managerial and technical colleagues.
• Dealing with pressure - technical architects have a lot of responsibility, and you'll have to deliver results in high-pressure circumstances.
• Prioritisation and time management - IT projects often have tight deadlines, and missing them can have significant consequences for your organisation or client.
• Relationship-building - developing trust and understanding between the technical teams and managers or clients is important to ensure a project runs smoothly.

Take every opportunity to develop and gain evidence of these skills to show employers you're ready to make the step up.

Do I need a degree to become a technical architect?

Employers expect you to have a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject, such as:

• business information systems
• computer science
• software development.

These courses provide you with the necessary technical knowledge.

However, you're unlikely to enter a technical architect job immediately after leaving university. As mentioned, this is a more senior role, requiring you to spend time building up experience working in the IT sector.

Start your career by looking for software engineering, programming or testing vacancies - for instance, by working as a systems analyst. You'll be able to climb the career ladder from there.

After becoming a technical architect, you could become a senior architect or move into IT consultancy.

What IT architecture courses are available?

There are plenty of opportunities for professional development, with courses available from BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT at foundation and practitioner levels.

For example, the Foundation Certificate in Architecture Concepts and Domains is designed for those who work in any aspect of enterprise and solution architecture, including those new to their role.

No experience in information systems (IS) or IT architecture work is required before taking this three-day course through a BCS-accredited training provider. The exam fees are set at £228 (2024).

However, to take the Practitioner Certificate in Enterprise and Solutions Architecture, you'll need more than the qualification above.

Geared towards those involved in any aspect of enterprise and solutions architecture, you must have achieved the BCS Intermediate Certificate in Enterprise and Solutions Architecture or the BCS Foundation Certificate in Architecture Concepts and Domains. You'll also require at least six years' experience in IS/IT work, including some contact with technical architects, to be eligible for a place on this three or four-day course.

The costs vary according to the training provider, but you can expect to pay £2,000 to £3,000.

Find out more

• Search for postgraduate courses in computer sciences and IT.
• See IT courses for an overview of your training options.
• Consider other IT graduate jobs.