Job Name

Systems Architect

Brief Description

A Systems Architect has the task of putting together the skeleton of a software project. Depending on the specifications gathered by the requirements analyst, the system architect will choose to focus on ease of maintenance, application performance, compatibility with existing systems, or a combination of all three. Each decision that the system architect makes has to be carefully considered because a wrong move at the beginning of a project can have damaging effects later in the software development life cycle. (Marios. Alexandrou, 2007)

A much more simplistic overview, of the role, of a Systems Architect is " A technological & social leader who establishes the strategic policies & patterns that shape the entire system" quoted by Grady Booch (Nichol, Scott; Systems Architect; 1997)

A Systems Architect mainly has to focus on developing Infrastructure Strategies that will reinforce, or upgrade the organizations server environment; by means of analyzing the systems requirement and, designing, planning and developing a well suited Infrastructure assembly. (Fingerprint Consulting Services, 2007)

Duties & Responsibilities Of This Role

The duties and responsibilities of Systems Architects vary depending on the type of business and the roles of that business.

Before reviewing the complex and detailed Duties & Responsibilites of a Systems Architect, it is important to understand the fudamentals which they relate to:

Creating & preserving conceptual integrity across multiple systems.
Promoting architectual goals such as adaptability.
Understanding the (business) problems domain, identifying requirments & constraints
Understanding technological possibilities & limits.
Identifying risks, and perform meaning feasibility studies.

(Nichol, Scott; Systems Architect; 1997)

These are some of the more complex duties and responsibilities of a Systems Architect

Interfacing with the user(s) and sponsor(s) and all other stakeholders in order to determine their (evolving) needs.
Generating the highest level of system requirements, based on the user's needs and other constraints such as cost and schedule.
Ensuring that this set of high level requirements is consistent, complete, correct, and operationally defined.
Performing cost-benefit analyses to determine whether requirements are best met by manual, software, or hardware functions; making maximum use of commercial off-the-shelf or already developed components.
Developing partitioning algorithms (and other processes) to allocate all present and foreseeable requirements into discrete partitions such that a minimum of communications is needed among partitions, and between the user and the system.
Partitioning large systems into (successive layers of) subsystems and components each of which can be handled by a single engineer or team of engineers or subordinate architect.
Ensuring that a maximally robust architecture is developed.
Generating a set of acceptance test requirements, together with the designers, test engineers, and the user, which determine that all of the high level requirements have been met, especially for the computer-human-interface.
Generating products such as sketches, models, an early user guide, and prototypes to keep the user and the engineers constantly up to date and in agreement on the system to be provided as it is evolving.

(wikipedia, Systems Architect, 2007)
Some extra Roles and Responsibilities

Management and development of Internal and external relationships
Aid in presentations, proof of concepts for Microsoft Windows Server and related technologies/systems
Develop client and partner based Infrastructure solutions
Involvement in service agreements
Act on opportunities

(mycareer, Saphire Technologies, 2007)

In addition to the above mentioned the following criteria should be met;

Mentoring the architecture team and demonstrate a high level of communication skills with management, executive and technical level staff.
Develop architecture road map.
Performing a review of the trading infrastructure (i.e. in Linux, Microsoft, UNIX environments etc.)
End to end infrastructure strategy and compliance.

(Alexandrou. Marios & Fingerprint Consulting Services, 2007)

Job Requirements

The following are some common requirements for a career as a Systems Architect:

3 years specialising in Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Desktop and Active Directory
Advanced experience in SMS (Systems Management Server) and MOM (Microsoft Operations Manager)
4-6 years working in Infrastructure consulting roles
Tertiary qualifications in IT, Computer Science or related discipline
Microsoft Certification in Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft Desktop and Active Directory (mycareer, Saphire Technologies, 2007)

The next set & subset, of requirments are described as mandatory requirements in a current job advertisement posted by Defence Directions Recruitment based in the ACT.

Sevral years experience in the design and implementation and/or sipport of IT sytems incorporating Windows and/or Unix operating systems, intal based workstation and server products, high-capacity storage products, security and WAN/LAN netwrok infrastructure.
Proven record of providing system architectual leadershio and advice, the development of solutions togetherwith a knowledge of associated products on at least five of the following areas:
- - Windows 2003 enterprise network;
  - High-Availability server platform, operating system and storage systems.
  - Server virtualisation;
  - Thin-client based systems;
  - SAN and/or NAS systems;
  - Disaster recovery;
  - LAN and WAN systems;
  - Voice over IP;
  - IT security principles;
  - Secure gateways;
  - System an/or enterprise management;
  - COLTS application installation, deployment & configuration.
Ability to communicate complex technical issues in a manner that can be understood by non-technical people;
It is highly desirable that applicants have experience in Defence Network Systems across all security classifications.

(Direct Directions Recuitment; Systems Architect (defence) Job Advertisement; 20/08/2007)

These requirements show just how different, the careers of Systems Architects can be & how a wide range of knowledge in many areas of information technology (which include network infrastructure, server platforms, middleware, software development & client platforms) is essential to pursue an active career as a Sytems Architect. (Nichol, Scott; Systems Architect; 1997)

A minimum of 5 years experience in Investment Bank and trading systems.
A valid record of successful projects, strong communication, presentation and technical skills, and experience in enterprise application integration and architecture.
Excellent knowledge UNIX, Wintel, Network of
Excellent communication skills
Excellent Leadership skills
Ability to work both individually and in a close team environment.
Well-developed business and technical consultancy skills.

(Alexandrou. Marios & Fingerprint Consulting Services, 2007)

Salary

The Salary for a Systems Architect can change depending on the level of employment. The salaries are usually high around $100k a year

This is the yearly salary for a Systems Architect for a Brisbane based Microsoft Technology Company

$120K + bonus, super, benefits

According to a 2007 survey of the Information Technology Industry in Australia & New Zealand, preformed by the recruitment agency Hays. The average salary for a Systems Architect in Canberra is $100,00. However this is some rather large differences when viewing them on a city average basis. The paying city for a Systems Architect is Melbourne with an Average of $130,000 compared to Adelaide within an anverage of $90,000. The salaries are annual & do not include superannuation.

(Hays; Sector Commentary, Information Technology; 2007)

Industry/Organisation

All industries and organisations need the assistance of a Systems Architect at some stage during there productive life. They provide the systems that allow the business to function at its maximum capacity. These organisations include businesses involved in Information Technology more specifically software production. However, many corporations need the services of Systems Architects as well. Systems Architects are also needed within Government Agencies such as the Department of Defence & Department of Foreign Affairs & Trading.

Other job titles which need the specific skills of a Systems Architect inlcude:

Software Architect
Hardware Architect
Systems Engineer
Software Engineer
Requirments Engineer
Infrastructure Consultant

(wikipedia; systems architect; 2007)

Infrastructure Consultant
Infrastructure Architect
Solutions Architect
OSS Architect
Systems Engineer

(wikipedia, Systems Architect 2007)

Job Listings

Infrastructure Consultant for Microsoft Technologies, Saphire Technologies Brisbane
Pronto Manager for the Solomon Food Group, Brisbane Queensland. (Careerone, (18/8/2007). accessed on 18/08.07 from http://jobs.careerone.com.au/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46c5d93c48dce0&q=systems%20architect&qMiles=15&qField=All&qCity=brisbane&qState=QLD&qCountry=Australia&qSort=smart&qMatch=all&pp=20&view=1&page=1
Systems Architect (defence); Defence Directions Recruitment; Canberra, ACT; accessed on the 20/08/2007 from http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascx?Sequence=60&Pagemunber=1&JobID=10237010
Systems Architect for Infrastructure / Investment Bank, Sydney, 2007 http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney/it-telecommunications/system-architecture/5289694+systems+architect+infrastructure+investment+bank+months.aspx

Differences Observed

It seems that there are slight variations in the duties of a Systems Architect in the private sector and the Government Agencies.

The Government Agencies seem to be looking for someone with much more experience and someone who is willing to take authority of the whole infrastructure of the systems in place.

In accordance with the job advertisement for a Solutions Architect required by Nascent ICT, a specialist recruitment agency the criteria required are more technical oriented than the vacancy for the Systems Architect that I've selected. 'Nascent ICT' necessitate a broad display of knowledge on Networks (such as Cisco); Microsoft Systems (such as Windows 2000/2003, Active Directory, Exchange); and Operating systems such as Microsoft, Unix, SunOs Solaris, Linux etc since the selected candidate is expected to provide strategies and technical expertise on corporate infrastructure modeling. Where as the Systems Architect placement, requires an excellent knowledge of a selected range systems in developing an Infrastructure Strategy to aid the Bank expansion. Therefore both of these positions vary in requirement depending on specific organizational objectives. (Nascent ICT, 2007)

Other References Used

Marios Alexandrou. (2007). Systems architect. Retrieved 07/08/, 2007, from http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/definition/system-architect.asp
Saphire. Technologies. (2007). Job advertisement, infrastructure consultant, Microsoft technologies. Retrieved 07/08, 2007, from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/brisbane-4000-qld/it-telecommunications/network-systems-administration/5305367+infrastructure+consultant+microsoft+technologies.aspx?style=enhanced
Wikipedia. (2007). Systems architect. Retrieved 07/08, 2007 & 20/08/07, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Architect
Solomon Food Group; posted in Courier Mail on 18/08/07; posted on careerone on 18/08/07; Retrieved on 18/08/07 from http://jobs.careerone.com.au/texis/jobsearch/details.html?id=46c5d93c48dce0&q=systems%20architect&qMiles=15&qField=All&qCity=brisbane&qState=QLD&qCountry=Australia&qSort=smart&qMatch=all&pp=20&view=1&page=1
Nicol, Scott; Systems Architect; 17/Jan/1997; Retreived From http://www.scottnichol.com/sysarch1.htm
Defence Directions Recruitment; Sytems Architect (defence); Defence Directions Recruitment; Retrieved 20/08/2007 from http://it.seek.com.au/users/apply/index.ascxSequence=60&Pagenumber=1&JobID=10237010
Hays; Sector Commentary, Information Technology Survey as of 1/07/2007; Retrieved on 20/08/2007 from http://www.careerone.com.au/webdav/site/jobs/shared/salary_survey07/information_technology.pdf
Nascent ICT, Solutions Architect / Systems Engineer; Retrieved on 08/08/07; from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney-2000-nsw/it-telecommunications/system-architecture/5315117+solutions+architect+systems+engineer.aspx?style=enhanced
Fingerprint Consulting Services; Retrieved on 01/08/07; from http://mycareer.com.au/jobs/sydney-city-nsw/it-telecommunications/network-systems-administration/5294898+infrastructure+architect+systems+engineer.aspx?style=enhanced
Wikipedia, Systems Architect (2007) Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Architect+