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Solution architect

Use innovation and your knowledge of technology to solve business problems. Consult with clients to consider the best option to improve their IT systems.

Also known as: it solution architect

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£692

Entry level

£1,635

Experienced

Monthly

£3,000

Entry level

£7,083

Experienced

Yearly

£36,000

Entry level

£85,000

Experienced

12,800

people are currently employed

High growth

700 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You’d lead a team and come up with computer systems to solve clients' business problems.

First, you'd work out what issues they’re facing and what you can do to help them meet their goals. You’d think outside the box to come up with ideas and consider different options.

Once you’ve presented the options to your clients you decide on which idea to put into action. It’s then your job to plan, design and develop the technical solutions. You'd decide what the needs and priorities are.

You’d organise the tasks of developers and software engineers to keep the project on track. You'd also offer guidance to teams and support them with certain tasks.

What you might do:

  • work with clients and businesses to understand any issues and concerns

  • come up with practical solutions to technical problems and present these to clients

  • figure out the scope of a project and decide what resources you'll need

  • manage teams of developers and engineers to deliver on project goals

  • motivate your team and provide guidance when they need it

  • assess potential risks and have solutions in place to mitigate them

  • keep up to date with latest technology and software

  • test software to make sure it works the way it’s expected to

A solution architect can be an asset to many organisations and business. In this job, you could work in many industries depending on where your interests or experience takes you. For example:

  • IT

  • finance, including fintech (financial technology)

  • healthcare

  • retail

  • agriculture

  • transport

  • automotive

  • manufacturing

Hours

Working hours can vary, but usually full-time hours will be Monday to Friday around 37 to 40 hours per week.

Environment

You'll likely be based in an office. The size of the team you work with will differ from business to business.

Travel

You might work as a contractor, which would mean you might move from job to job a lot. You also might be required to travel to meet clients or travel to various training events.

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Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Engineering and manufacturing
  • Financial services
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Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • analysing
  • taking responsibility
  • developing a plan
  • attention to detail
  • researching
  • problem solving
  • creative
  • written communication
  • working with technology
  • verbal communication
  • listening
  • building relationships

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.

You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.

Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Business

  • Computing Science

  • Economics

  • Foundation Apprenticeship: Software Development

You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.

Discover what's on offer at your school on  Apprenticeships.scot.

There are many ways to get qualified for this job. You could study at college or university study, or get a work-based qualification, like an apprenticeship.

Depending on their level of expertise, solution architects will often have a Higher National Diploma (HND), a degree or a postgraduate qualification in one of the following subjects:

  • Information Technology

  • Software Engineering

  • Computer Science

  • Business Information Systems

Employers will consider graduates from non computing subjects if they can show essential technical knowledge. There are also postgraduate IT conversion courses available. These are useful for graduates looking to strengthen their technical skills.

A lot of solution architect jobs look for a high level of skills and extensive experience. But some companies do offer intern positions.

Not all employers list specific qualification requirements they might ask for relevant (usually work based) experience that demonstrates a range of transferable skills.

Membership of industry organisations can also be a valuable way to build contacts within the industry, add to your knowledge and link to opportunities.

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