How To Become A Lead Solution Architect: What It Is and Career Path

What is a lead solution architect and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Christy Graves

Not all architects design buildings. Some architects design the complex interactions between business processes and the technologies that enable those processes to function in today's data-driven age. Lead solution architects are in charge of creating, designing, and implementing arrangements within a business. They help to build new systems needed by the company and must be able to identify the business' current problems and future technological goals. They are also in charge of communicating with other departments to implement new plans and goals.

The functions that they perform in this capacity include acting as the lead for the translation of business objectives and requirements into functional solutions. Moreover, they prepare and document testing requirements as well as all test data and design and develop technical solutions based on existing technologies. This job requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or software engineering. Although experience is not always required, several years of network administration experience is beneficial. Lead solutions architects need to have high levels of concentration, creativity, and leadership, as well as good problem-solving skills. They also need to have extensive knowledge of computers and software.

The average hourly salary is $50.43, which amounts to $104.891 annually.

What general advice would you give to a Lead Solution Architect?

Christy Graves

Professor/Program Manager, Seminole State College of Florida

I would advise the graduate to learn from everyone they work with within the workplace environment. Even though a degree in architectural engineering technology is valuable, it's impossible to learn everything you need to know to be successful in the industry by taking classes in school and earning a degree. Do not be afraid to ask others for help when you aren't sure about the task you've been assigned to do. In addition, keep up with new technology. Remember, learning should be a lifetime pursuit. It shouldn't end with earning a degree.

ScoreLead Solution ArchitectUS Average

Salary

8.1

Avg. Salary $118,052

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

5.9

Growth Rate 3%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 15.60%

male 84.40%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress Level

5.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

8.3

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a lead solution architect

Explore lead solution architect education requirements

Most common lead solution architect degrees

Bachelor's

64.4 %

Master's

26.1 %

Associate

3.7 %

Start to develop specific lead solution architect skills

Skills	Percentages
Java	11.12%
Digital Transformation	10.95%
Cloud Computing	6.84%
Cloud	6.28%
Emerging Technologies	5.32%

Complete relevant lead solution architect training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead solution architects learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead solution architect based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead solution architect resumes.

Research lead solution architect duties and responsibilities

Set up and manage windows and web sites users' permissions.
Lead and manage a team of functional consultants across the supply chain and CRM modules.
Implement a manage SDP solution for global strategic outsourcing using existing remote infrastructure and application resource capability from India.
Lead a team to produce comprehensive, phase development plan to transition from current infrastructure to consolidate data warehouse architecture.

Get lead solution architect experience

Prepare your lead solution architect resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead solution architect resume.

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