Occupation
Solutions architect
Solutions architects decide how a system should be put together to meet a business need, then explain that decision to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders. Much of the value is in the trade-offs: what to build, what to buy, and what constraints the design has to respect.
Also known as: Technical architect · Application architect · Cloud solutions architect
Occupation content
Part of Information technology, data and cybersecurity
What the work involves
- Gather technical and business requirements from stakeholders
- Produce architecture diagrams and written design decisions
- Compare build, buy, and integrate options against cost, risk, and constraints
- Review proposed designs from delivery teams and flag gaps
- Brief engineering teams and answer questions during implementation
How people commonly enter
- A degree in computer science, software engineering, or information systems
- Progression from a senior development, infrastructure, or systems analysis role
- Vendor or cloud architecture certifications alongside delivery experience
- A postgraduate qualification in enterprise or systems architecture
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Team based · High responsibility · Desk based · Client sites · Hybrid office · Involves travel
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Enterprising (leading) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Information technology, data and cybersecurity.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — Computer Systems Engineers/Architects (15-1299.08) · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer Systems Analysts · United States
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- Canada Job Bank — Job profile search: information systems specialists · Canada
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Information technology, data and cybersecurity in Canada, not a figure for Solutions architect. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Information technology, data and cybersecurity family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: education pathways
Some roles in Information technology, data and cybersecurity may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: licensing
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
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