Page Content
Job profiles
Technical architect or it systems architect
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£40,000 + per year
WorkDesc
The work
Technical architects (also called IT systems architects) act as the link between a company's managers and the designers and developers who build their IT systems.
As a technical architect, you could work on projects ranging from planning the structure of a patient records database for the NHS, to the redesign of a building society’s online banking system. Your key responsibilities would be to make sure that each part of the overall IT system:
- works together with the other parts as planned
- satisfies the requirements of the organisation
- meets the needs of the people who are going to use it.
Your main duties on a project would include:
- identifying the organisation's needs
- breaking large system requirements down into manageable parts
- researching ‘off-the-shelf’ products to decide whether they would be more suitable than building a new system from scratch
- agreeing plans for the system’s structure with the client
- explaining the structure to the designers and developers, and helping them to build it
- developing and carrying out acceptance testing procedures to make sure systems are working properly
- making sure that systems meet quality standards and procedures
- advising senior IT managers about how to plan their future IT needs.
You might specialise in a particular part of a system's framework (such as security), or you could be responsible for the entire structure, supervising a project team made up of architects, system analysts and developers.
HoursDesc
Hours
Your normal working week would be around 37 to 40 hours. Overtime at evenings and weekends may be required to meet deadlines.
You would be mainly office-based, but you may have to travel to meet clients, depending on the contract, and overnight stays away from home may sometimes be necessary.
IncomeDesc
Income
- Salaries can be between £40,000 and £60,000 a year.
- Senior technical architects can earn between £60,000 and £80,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
You will need experience and qualifications in IT to work as a technical architect. It is vital that you have a broad understanding of the available technologies and what they could do for the client. For this reason, many employers will look for a background in systems development, analysis, programming or testing.
Employers will also want to see strengths in non-technical areas, such as client management, communication skills and leadership. This is because they place importance on the ability to communicate the client's requirements to technical teams, and to manage competing demands on time and resources.
A common route into this career is to start with a company at a lower level, for example, programming, and to work your way up through internal promotion.
You would normally be expected to have a degree or postgraduate qualification. Relevant subjects include:
- computer science or computer engineering
- information management systems
- business information systems
- software development
- mathematics.
You should choose courses that include programming languages such as: C# (C sharp), C++, Java/J2EE, .NET, SQL, Oracle and SAP business software applications.
See the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website to search for colleges and universities offering these courses.
For more details about careers in this field, see the websites for e-skills UK and the British Computer Society (BCS).
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
In a fast-moving field like IT, it is important that you keep your technical skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career. You could do this by taking professional development courses through professional bodies like the British Computer Society and e-skills UK.
You could also gain recognition of your skills through industry certifications, including:
- ISEB Certificate in IT Architecture
- Microsoft Certified Architect (MCAP)
- Open Group IT Architect Certification
- Sun Certified Enterprise Architect (SCEA)
- IBM Service Orientated Architecture Solution Designer.
The National Skills Academy for IT
The National Skills Academy for IT has been created by employers to promote excellence in IT learning and development.
Through the Skills Academy, you can:
- get the best access to high quality IT training and resources
- define and access new training to meet emerging needs
- gain professional recognition and accelerate career progression
The National Skills Academy for IT has over 1,000 online courses, including courses relating to technical architect roles.
See the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website for more information about professional development options. This site has been developed by professional bodies and employers and allows you to identify career skills and development pathways.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
- excellent communication skills, with the ability to understand client requirements
- strong problem-solving skills
- the ability to build good relationships with clients and colleagues
- the ability to gather and interpret data
- a broad knowledge of technologies and applications
- the ability to explain ideas clearly to technical and non-technical staff
- a knowledge of industry quality standards, legislation and best practice
- the ability to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines
- a flexible and adaptable approach
- a commitment to keep up to date with technology.
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Open Group 
www.opengroup.org
Microsoft UK
www.microsoft.com/uk
Sun Microsystems
www.uk.sun.com
Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
www.sfia.org.uk
e-skills UK
1 Castle Lane
London
SW1E 6DR
0207 963 8920
www.e-skills.com
British Computer Society
Block D
North Star House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN2 1FA www.bcs.org.uk
Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB)
www.iseb.org.uk
IBM UK
www.ibm.com/uk
National Skills Academy for IT
http://www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk/
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Typical employers include public service organisations, government departments, utility companies, financial institutions, the NHS and specialist IT consultancies.
With experience, you could progress to senior architect, or specialise in a particular field, for example finance or security. You could also move into broader IT project management roles, strategy planning and consultancy.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
Related industry information
Industry summary
The IT industry includes people in IT companies, such as those offering IT services, technology‐orientated consulting, technology development, systems analysis, programming, systems testing and technology sales. It also includes IT professionals working in other sectors, such as people whose primary job role is IT orientated, which includes IT departments and IT support staff in companies. The IT industry together with Telecoms is represented by e‐skills UK Sector Skills Council.
A sector trend is the convergence of telecommunications, computing and networking and the move from hardware intensive to software intensive platforms. Embedded voice communications capability is already part of the internet, which also has to manage voice, data and video and location information.
The social, economic and market forces shaping UK IT skills are evolving as technology continues to progress from the back office to the board room. This is changing the market for IT skills, creating demand for both technology‐oriented business people and business‐oriented technologists – and blurring the lines between traditional business and IT disciplines.
Key facts:
- There is a total IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million of which:
- 890,000 people are in IT and Telecoms products and services
- 600,000 IT and Telecoms professionals are working in organisations outside of the IT and Telecoms industries
- There are around 105,000 businesses in the UK offering IT and Telecoms products and services.
- IT‐intensive sectors represent 55% of the UK's total Gross Value Added.
- Less than 1% of those employed in IT and Telecoms occupations are under 18.
- 22% of companies who are trying to recruit IT and Telecoms professionals report difficulties in attracting applicants with the right skills.
- 58% of the workforce has a degree or higher education qualification.
- The IT industry is predicted to grow at a rate of 2.5% per year for the next ten years.
- There are 100,930 IT manufacturing and services establishments in the UK employing 600,000 people.
- The IT workforce accounts for 4% of the UK workforce.
Jobs in the IT industry include: Business analyst; Games developer; CAD/CAM Programmer/Trainer; IT trainer; Service technician; Software engineer/architect; Technology consultant; Web designer; Systems architect; Technical author.
National and regional data
Across the UK, there is an estimated IT and Telecoms workforce of 1.5 million who are predominately located in London and the South East. The IT workforce can be classified in IT manufacturing and IT services. The largest number of companies is located in:
- IT manufacturing
- South East
- London
- East of England
- IT services
- South East
- London
- East of England
Key regional facts:
- 39% of IT and Telecoms professionals are located in London and the South East
- the East of England has the third highest number of IT and Telecoms employees
- Northern Ireland, Wales and the North East combined comprise just 6% of the IT and Telecoms professionals
- 44% of all types of IT and Telecoms companies are located in London and the South East
- the highest median gross weekly earnings for IT and Telecoms staff are in London, the South East and the East of England, which are all above the UK median
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (April‐June), 2009.]
Career paths
Further sources
View full Job market information
News
