Solutions Architect Job Description

Key responsibilities

• 🧩 Design technical solutions: Develop scalable, secure systems that support business needs and long-term growth. This includes choosing appropriate technologies and ensuring they integrate smoothly with existing infrastructure.

• 🤝 Collaborate with stakeholders: Work closely with key decision-makers and technical teams to align system designs with business goals and user needs, making sure everyone is on the same page.

• 🔍 Evaluate new technologies: Stay across emerging tools and trends, identifying ways to improve performance, reduce costs, or streamline operations through smart tech choices.

• 🛠️ Support development efforts: Provide technical guidance throughout the build process, helping resolve challenges and ensuring teams follow architectural best practices.

• 🧾 Document system designs: Produce clear documentation outlining components, data flows, and standards to support consistency, onboarding, and future upgrades.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field: This provides a strong foundation in system design, software development, and IT infrastructure.

• Experience in architecture design and implementation: Previous experience building and deploying scalable technical solutions demonstrates a strong understanding of real-world systems and their complexities.

• Proficiency in cloud platforms: Knowledge of cloud services such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is essential, as many modern solutions rely on cloud-based infrastructure.

• Strong problem-solving skills: The ability to assess technical challenges and propose efficient, scalable solutions is vital to delivering business outcomes.

• Communication and stakeholder management: Clear communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders ensures alignment and smooth project delivery.

• Understanding of integration patterns: Familiarity with APIs, microservices, and system integration supports the creation of seamless, interconnected platforms.

• Documentation skills: The ability to produce clear, detailed architecture documentation helps maintain consistency and supports future development.

• Tech expertise: Comfort working with development frameworks, cloud tools, security protocols, and infrastructure-as-code tools is expected in this role.

• Project leadership: Experience guiding technical teams through solution delivery ensures timelines and expectations are met.

• Adaptability: The ability to adjust architectural plans based on changing business needs or emerging technologies is essential in fast-paced environments.

Career path and opportunities

A career as a Solutions Architect can lead to advanced roles such as Enterprise Architect, Head of Technology, or Chief Information Officer. With experience, professionals may branch into specialised areas like cloud architecture, cybersecurity, or digital transformation.
Many also move into consulting roles, offering strategic advice to large organisations. Continued learning and certification can open doors to leadership positions and influence over high-level tech strategy.

Related job titles

• Enterprise Architect
• Cloud Solutions Architect
• Infrastructure Architect
• Application Architect
• Technical Architect
• Systems Designer
• IT Solutions Consultant
• Integration Architect
• DevOps Architect
• Platform Architect

Example job description

Job title: Solutions Architect

Job overview:
The Solutions Architect is the strategic thinker and tech translator who ensures our systems are built to support the big picture. This role blends technical expertise with business acumen to design smart, scalable, and secure solutions. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams to connect goals with the right tech – and make sure it all runs seamlessly.

Key responsibilities:

• Design end-to-end technical solutions that align with business objectives
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project requirements and system architecture
• Guide development teams through implementation, ensuring best practices are followed
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend improvements to current systems
• Document architecture designs and ensure knowledge is shared across teams
• Support the delivery of projects by troubleshooting architectural challenges

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years’ experience in a solution architecture or systems design role
• Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex systems clearly
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional technical and non-technical teams

Preferred qualifications:

• TOGAF or similar architecture certification
• Experience in enterprise-level systems design
• Exposure to microservices and API-first architectures

Perks/benefits:

• Competitive salary and annual bonus structure
• Hybrid working options with flexible hours
• Generous learning budget and access to industry events
• Employee wellbeing initiatives and extra leave days
• Collaborative, supportive culture with real career growth opportunities

Frequently asked questions

What does a Solutions Architect do?

A Solutions Architect is like the master planner behind the scenes. They design the technical blueprint for how software and systems should work together to meet business goals. It’s their job to connect the dots between business needs and tech solutions, making sure everything fits together smoothly, securely, and at scale.

What are their key duties and responsibilities?

Solutions Architects work closely with stakeholders to understand what the business needs, then map out tech systems to match. They choose the right tools, guide development teams, and make sure everything runs efficiently and securely. They also troubleshoot when things get messy, ensuring the solution stays on track and performs as expected.

What makes a great Solutions Architect?

A great Solutions Architect thinks big-picture but also loves the technical nitty-gritty. They’re creative problem-solvers with strong communication skills—able to chat to both devs and decision-makers. They're also adaptable, with a solid grip on emerging tech trends and the know-how to future-proof their solutions.