As a cloud architect, you assume the role of an expert IT professional who oversees a company’s cloud computing system, from design to implementation. As many companies operate at least partially in a cloud environment, you’ll have a variety of industries to choose from for a rewarding career as a cloud architect.
If you are interested in a rewarding career in the IT field, a cloud architect offers an excellent opportunity to invest your computer skills. You will need to have a good understanding of cloud computing and technology systems and the ability to design and implement cloud infrastructure. This role requires excellent communication skills, strong communication skills, and high proficiency in computing and coding languages.
Sample job description
[Your Company Name] is looking for a new cloud architect to join our IT team. As a cloud architect, you will be responsible for managing our cloud system architecture and models in order to ensure that it is functioning properly at all times. This may include creating a cloud computing strategy, evaluating and assessing cloud hardware, software, and systems in order to ensure they are functioning properly, and more. The ideal candidate should have previous experience working with IT security administrators and other members of the IT team to integrate the correct security, software, and data into the cloud system. A potential candidate should be data-minded, be able to research the latest cloud technologies available for cloud architecture and computing, and should have previous experience in the cloud architecture field. If this sounds like it might be the right job for you, we would love to have you on our team. A candidate who has a positive attitude and delivers high-quality work will be preferred.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Create roadmaps based on the cloud’s capacity, efficiency and ecosystem security
- Create diagrams, domain models, and other types of software artifacts to decode a particular problem
- Collaborate with software programmers and engineers
- Lead and manage a cross-functioning technology team
- Monitor cloud activity, design and migrate applications, plan courses of action, and define computer loads
- Respond to technical issues in a professional and timely manner
Education and experience
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, applied mathematics, or a related field. Many employers prefer candidates who have a master’s or doctorate, and prior experience as an administrator or architect in any of the well-known operating systems.
Required skills and qualifications
- Lots of experience in computer scripting languages like Python, Ruby, and Elixir
- Excellent knowledge in current computing trends and technologies
- Ability to design and implement cloud infrastructure, platforms, and applications
- Exceptional leadership and people skills
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Experience in computer security, such as firewalls
- Expertise in at least one operating system: Linux, Unix, Solaris, Ubuntu, Windows
- Proficiency in networking: TCP/IP, IP addresses, HTTP, DNS
Preferred qualifications
- Requires 5+ years of experience designing server solutions for large corporations
- Ability to automate tasks by scripting
- Experience deploying systems into Cloud environments
- Knowledge of networks and networking
- Good communication and documentation skills
Typical work environment
Cloud architects are responsible for managing the cloud system architecture of a company. A cloud architect will have multiple daily tasks that will vary depending on the system they are managing and the current status of the system. As a cloud architect, your daily tasks may include creating management strategies for the cloud system and managing and participating in the adaptation of this process. Other daily duties will include the daily upkeep and assessment of the cloud system, troubleshooting of any technical issues, and providing assistance on technical issues for any other employees. This position will oftentimes require a relevant bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar field, as well as certifications that relate to this field.
Typical hours
The typical hours for a cloud architect are from 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, in an office setting.
Available certifications
A cloud architect will benefit from having certifications due to the highly technical nature of the position. Some of the certifications that may be beneficial to a cloud architect will vary depending on the job and expertise of the cloud architect, but more general certifications include:
- Professional Cloud Architect Certification. The Professional Cloud Architect certification is a certification test that is provided by the Google systems, meaning it will be recognized as an official certification for cloud architects to prove their experience and professional expertise with cloud systems. This certification can be beneficial to both beginner and more advanced cloud architects, as it proves that the certification candidate has the knowledge to plan and implement a cloud system, manage implementations of cloud architecture, and much more.
- CompTIA A+. Due to the nature of the CompTIA certification, this can be immensely beneficial to a cloud architect. Becoming certified through this testing process ensures a wide variety of technical knowledge relating to computer, network, and cloud systems. This certification is thought of as a general certification for almost any IT-related field and can prove to be immensely beneficial to a cloud architect.
Career path
The path to becoming a cloud architect begins with earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, applied mathematics, or a related field. Many employers prefer candidates who have a master’s or doctorate, and prior experience as an administrator or architect in any of the well-known operating systems. Certification in AWS Certified Solutions Architect validates an individual’s technical expertise in cloud platforms.
US, Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook
SOC Code: 15-1241
2020 Employment | 165,200 |
Projected Employment in 2030 | 174,200 |
Projected 2020-2030 Percentage Shift | 5% increase |
Projected 2020-2030 Numeric Shift | 9,000 increase |
Position trends
According to an article on industry site TechRepublic, an estimated 83 percent of enterprises will be in the cloud in 2020. This rapid growth, along with companies making cloud migration a priority, means there should be an increase in job possibilities in cloud-related jobs. By 2022, the worldwide public cloud services market will hit $331.2 billion, which would make the cloud services industry three times bigger than overall IT services, according to a new study from Indeed.com.