Job Profile

The days of writing code in personal and environmental isolation have vanished. Today's successful Software Architect has to work within teams and develop software that precisely meets the business goals of clients. If you thrive on the challenges of designing, implementing, and testing software in near real-time environments and with the latest development methods, tools, and practices, the Software Architect field might be right for you.

Flexibility and teamwork are key. As you design and build complex system software, such as operating systems, protocol architectures, or databases upon which application software programs will run, sometimes, you will need to fix problems that reveal themselves weeks or months into development. You must be comfortable moving from tool to tool and method to method in the search for the perfect solution. In addition, you must know how to obtain information about bugs and evaluate their impact on the software you are developing. Although you will often work independently and with minimal supervision, you also will need to work and communicate well with others. No matter what type of software you are developing, both written and oral communication are important throughout the process. As a successful Software Architect, you will need to write clearly and effectively and in a manner that facilitates communication with technical peers and non-technical management personnel.

As well as strong personal skills, Software Architects need strong technical skills. As a start, you'll need a thorough understanding of computer hardware, operating systems, and application fundamentals as well as specific knowledge of writing and testing code. In addition to strong computer science backgrounds, Software Architects also have significant expertise in complex methodologies such as object-oriented modeling and design and rapid application development (RAD) tools to build large-scale systems. Most Software Architects also have a background in electrical or electronics engineering.

• Computer operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Unix
• GUI design skills
• Object-oriented modeling and design skills
• Familiarity with the ISO 9001 standard
• Routing and transport architectures, including ATM, Sonet drivers
• Current technologies, such as multithreading, DCOM, ActiveX DLL, OLE, VHDL, and SQL
• Networking technologies, including TCP/IP and UDP

General Business Skills

The following are suggested skills you can develop as you expand your knowledge and are promoted within your career path:

• Management training
• Communication skills
• Coordinating projects and leading teams

Responsibilities

Software Architects are generally accountable for duties in the following areas:

Planning and Design

• Identify and analyze the business requirements and goals of software
• Design software to maximize productivity and meet established goals
• Understand and implement the latest design methodologies
• Write software code that map requirements and goals
• Port code between operating systems as needed for multi-environment products

Testing

• Use test tools, such as Foglight and Spotlight, to validate designs and products
• Test software throughout the development process to uncover bugs
• Rework code as necessary to fix the bugs
• Elicit input from appropriate parties, such as vendors, customers, and in-house specialists
• Verify that the software meets established industry and organizational standards and specifications
• Deliver the final software or solution to the client

Communication

• Document information within the product life cycle, including business requirements and recommendations
• Write and communicate clearly with other team members, both technical and non-technical
• Understand the intricacies of code destined for intranet and Internet applications and document accordingly

New Horizons Courses

New Horizons offers a variety of technical training courses - taken either in a classroom or online - to help a Software Architect succeed in that challenging and rewarding job role. To find the course that's right for you, contact the learning center nearest you.