How to write a software architect job description

A software architect serves as the mastermind behind the development of software systems.

To write an effective job description for this role, you must balance the need for technical expertise and visionary leadership, clearly define the architect’s responsibilities, and distinguish the role from similar positions – like software engineers.

In this article, we explain how to navigate these challenges and create a software architect job description that accurately outlines the vital skills required for the role. To make things easier, we’ve also included a customizable job description template.

What is a software architect?

Software architects design the blueprints for software solutions, ensuring they meet technical and business requirements. By laying out the framework and making critical technical decisions, they guide development teams toward creating efficient, scalable, and secure applications.

Their expertise shapes how people interact with technology – so they play a critical role in creating great applications.

Key skills to look for in software architects

Here are the main skills to look for in a software architect candidate.

Hard skills

• System design: Proficiency in designing scalable, secure, and efficient system architectures that meet business needs

• Programming languages: Deep knowledge of multiple programming languages such as Java, C#, and Python and their appropriate uses in various contexts

• Database design: Understanding of database management and design, including relational and NoSQL databases, to ensure data integrity and efficiency

• Cloud computing: Experience with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) for building and deploying scalable applications in the cloud

• DevOps practices: Familiarity with DevOps principles and tools to improve collaboration, software quality, and delivery speed

Soft skills

• Problem-solving for tackling complex technical challenges and finding innovative solutions

• Communication for clearly communicating with team members and explaining technical concepts to stakeholders

• Leadership for guiding development teams, making architectural decisions, and mentoring junior staff

• Visionary thinking for anticipating future technology trends and aligning architectural strategies accordingly

• Adaptability for adjusting to changing technologies and project requirements

How to write an effective software architect job description

Follow these best practices to create a good software architect job description that attracts suitable candidates.

1. Highlight architectural methodologies

Be explicit about your company’s architectural methodologies and practices, such as microservices, serverless architectures, or domain-driven design. Specify how you integrate these methodologies into your development processes. 

For example, if your team leans heavily on microservices, describe how a candidate’s expertise in designing and implementing microservice-based solutions will contribute to the project’s success.

2. Emphasize custom technology stacks

Specify the technologies your software architect will use, plus your preferences for experience with particular platforms. This helps candidates understand your organization’s technological environment and assess their fit.

3. Include expectations for the role

Describe how the software architect’s work will impact the company, product, or team. This can range from improving system performance and scalability to enhancing product innovation and market competitiveness.

This helps candidates envision the outcomes of their contributions and the value they bring to your team. Plus, it attracts candidates who want to make an impact.

4. Detail collaboration tools and practices

Explain how the software architect will interact with other departments, such as product management, QA, and operations. Mention direct reports or the expectation to work within agile, cross-functional teams.

Also, list the tools and practices used for collaboration, such as JIRA for project management and Slack for communication.

This gives candidates insight into how your team operates, which can help them assess whether they possess the hard and soft skills needed for collaboration. 

Software architect job description template

Use this template to create a software architect job description to find skilled candidates who fit your company culture.

Company introduction

Talk about your company, its services, and work culture. Mention any statistics, notable clients, or awards that show you’re an innovative industry leader. 

Then, describe the role and its main goals. If the software architect can lead groundbreaking projects, mention this. Also, explain how their work can help your company succeed.

Benefits of working with [your company]

List the employee benefits offered at your company. Start with the basics, like paid time off and performance bonuses. 

Then, highlight perks that appeal to top software architects, such as cutting-edge projects, mentorship programs, and expert-led professional development opportunities.

Software architect job brief

[Company name]

Job title: Software Architect

Reports to: [For example, Chief Technology Officer]

Position type: [Full-time, part-time, or contract]

Location: [Remote, hybrid, or on site (specify address if applicable)]

Salary and benefits: [For example, salary range, plus benefits like health insurance and retirement savings plans]

Responsibilities and duties

• Design and implement software architecture for new solutions, ensuring scalability, performance, and security.

• Collaborate with various stakeholders to translate business needs into technical strategies.

• Lead a team of developers, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation.

• Evaluate tools and processes and make changes as necessary to ensure the highest quality product platform.

• Conduct code reviews and provide feedback to improve software quality.

Skills and qualifications

Required skills and experience

• Strong expertise in software architecture design patterns, methodologies, and best practices

• Proficiency in multiple programming languages, like [specify languages used by your company], and cloud platforms, like [specify tools]

• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills

Preferred skills and experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in software engineering, computer science, or related field – or equivalent education or training

• [Number]+ years of experience in software development, with a proven track record as a software architect

• Experience with microservices architectures, containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), and DevOps tools (e.g., Jenkins, Ansible)

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies and CI/CD pipelines

• A passion for emerging technologies and their applications in solving business problems

4 things to avoid when writing a job description for software architects

There are four common pitfalls to avoid in your job description to ensure you attract top talent.

1. Including vague responsibilities

Software architects need clear, defined roles. Avoid generic terms like “responsible for system design” without specifying the types of systems and technologies involved or detailing the scales of your projects. Unclear responsibilities can lead to mismatched expectations about the role while drawing in unsuitable candidates. 

Instead, specify the kinds of architectures they’ll work on, such as developing services for a cloud-based e-commerce platform.

2. Failing to discuss decision-making freedom

Detail how architectural decisions are made within the organization, plus how much decision-making freedom the software architect will have. Will they have a significant say in technology choices, or will their decisions need to align closely with corporate strategies? 

This clarity can attract individuals whose working style aligns with your organizational structure.

3. Undervaluing leadership skills

A software architect defines the technical direction of the project and ensures that the team aligns with overarching project goals and timelines. 

You must mention leadership responsibilities in your job description so you can find candidates who can lead projects to success, foster team unity, and drive effective collaboration. Failing to do this might cause more candidates without the leadership abilities you need to apply. Hiring one will mean mismatched expectations,  underperformance, and dissatisfaction from both parties. 

4. Focusing excessively on programming skills

While coding is essential, it isn’t the sole focus of the software architect’s role. Ensure that your job description also emphasizes the need for the architect to understand design patterns and architectural frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) and make high-level design choices that define the core structure of IT systems.

Next steps: Attract and assess software architect candidates

After you’ve written and posted your job description, focus on finding the right talent. Talent assessments are the most efficient method for this. They’re easy to administer and provide an accurate overview of candidate skills without bias.

TestGorilla, a leading talent assessment platform, has role-specific tests for examining candidate skills. Here are four tests relevant to the software architect role:

• Our Software Architect test uses software design scenarios to evaluate how candidates analyze and prioritize projects and make architectural decisions.

• The Algorithms for Software Engineering test covers skills like growth functions, sorting algorithms, and advanced graph algorithms to solve tasks.

• The Python test examines Python programming skills.

• The Critical Thinking test uses inductive and deductive reasoning problems to test candidates’ proficiency in analyzing information and making informed decisions.

The role-relevant tests don’t stop there – we also have tests on C#, Java, DevOps, Azure, Kubernetes, problem-solving, and more. 

In addition to role-specific tests, you can use our personality and culture tests to find a software architect with the right traits and motives to fit in at and enhance your organization.

You can combine up to five tests to create custom assessments tailored for the role. Including custom questions is also possible. This way, you can create the perfect assessment for your role. 

After you’ve narrowed down your applicant pool with talent assessments, you can use software architect interview questions to find the strongest applicant. 

FAQs

Want to know more about software architects? Here are some commonly asked questions.

What is the difference between a software architect and a software engineer?

A software architect and an engineer play distinct but complementary roles in software development. 

The architect focuses on high-level design, selecting the right technology stack and defining the system’s overall structure and interaction patterns. They ensure the architecture is scalable, maintainable, and aligned with business goals. They’re often visionary leaders.

Conversely, a software engineer implements the architect’s vision, writing code to develop the individual components and features of the software. Engineers focus on ensuring the application works as intended within the framework laid out by the architect.

What is a software architect’s salary?

According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a software architect in 2024 in the US is $172,600 per year. This varies based on the region, company, seniority level, and more.

Find top software architects with TestGorilla

By providing a clear, detailed, and engaging job description, you set the stage for finding a software architect who can lead your technology projects to success.

A good job posting is just the starting point. You can use TestGorilla’s skills-based tests to understand and rank candidates’ skills and find experienced professionals. 

Book a free live demo or sign up for an account today to learn more about TestGorilla.