Cloud architect: responsibilities, skills, career options

An IT professional who is responsible for overseeing a company’s cloud computing strategy is a cloud architect. The cloud architect also designs and implements a company’s transition to cloud computing.

What is a cloud architect?

Cloud computing means the delivery of computing resources like data storage and software through the internet. A cloud architect works with cloud technology to develop cloud adoption plans, determine cloud application design and create systems for maintaining and managing the cloud system. Cloud architects oversee application architecture and deployment in cloud environments. They need to stay updated on the latest trends and issues. Most companies hire cloud architects to either use cloud services or when they are planning to move to the cloud. Some of the work that cloud architects deal with could be legal in nature and so they may have to negotiate contracts and work with legal departments. They must ensure that the service-level agreements are complied with. 

Responsibilities of a cloud architect

Cloud architects must create, optimise and maintain cloud computing solutions for companies and their work includes:

• Front-end platforms: Front-end cloud infrastructure includes everything that people interact with. This is the software that allows users to access the cloud.
• Back-end platforms: This refers to the hardware and software components of a cloud system. Essentially things like data storage, servers, virtual machines, and network devices. 
• Cloud-based data delivery models: Most cloud computing service vendors provide companies with IT capabilities one of the three models: Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or Platform as a Service (PaaS).

While the main responsibility of a cloud architect is to plan, design, implement and maintain all cloud environments, their responsibilities also include:

1. Cloud adoption: When a company does not already use cloud infrastructure, the cloud architect will evaluate the need it and manage its adoption. This change in infrastructure will require managing of cultural change, employee roles and procedures. A cloud architect will also have to manage vendors and communicate effectively with cloud providers who are involved.
2. Cloud architecture development: Post adoption, the cloud architect must develop the architecture which spans application development, data management and identity and access management. An architect’s role is to ensure that all these areas function harmoniously.
3. Cloud management and monitoring: After establishing the architecture, the cloud architect must maintain and monitor the architecture according to business objectives. 

Skills required to be a cloud architect

The position of a cloud architect requires good communication, management, and presentation skills. They require a combination of soft skills and technical skills to be successful. 

Technical skills

• Programming skills with experience in several programming languages
• Working knowledge of databases, networks, and other critical functions
•  Coordination different applications together in the cloud environment and capability for automation and maintenance of cloud infrastructure and data security.
•  Good software development background and knowledge of languages like Python, Java, or C#
•  Knowledge of costs, ability to balance budgets and familiarity with big data architecture and design principles

Soft Skills

• Effective communication skills for dealing with stakeholders both within and outside the organization ranging from entry-level programmers to senior executives
• Capability to communicate complex technical concepts to team members
•  Good project management and collaboration skills since most cloud solutions are built through team effort. 
• Program leadership and the ability to organize and plan programs around an organization’s cloud implementation.
•  Collaboration is also an essential skill since working with architecture team members and delegating responsibilities is a given. 

Career outlook

Becoming a cloud architect requires a combination of education, skill development and certification. You will be required to have a degree in information technology, information architecture, cloud computing or a related field. You may also require certain certifications. 

To have a good career as a cloud architect requires a continuous updating of knowledge in cloud technology and enhancing skills as a cloud architect. Taking up online courses and getting certifications can also help you access many job opportunities in reputed companies. 

Education, location, skills, and experience dictate how much you can earn as a compensation. A cloud architect who is business savvy and possesses an understanding of IT trends can specialize in buying emerging cloud technologies.  

A career path as a cloud architect could have a trajectory that takes you from being a cloud architect to a senior cloud architect, principal cloud architect, head of cloud infrastructure to becoming a Chief Technology Officer (CTO). 

There are various ways to become a cloud architect. You could start out in IT support, then go into a system engineering role that could lead to a database administrator job and then to a cloud architect role. The second option is for you to start out as a developer, learn about DevOps and then move on to building system deployment processes. This could lead you to the job of a principal developer and then to a cloud architect. The third option is to focus on the data side and become a principal system administrator and then move on to a cloud architect.

Conclusion

Cloud computing and cloud architecture are emerging adoptions in fast-growing companies. Being a cloud architect is a new age technological development that is very beneficial to the world and is fast emerging as a preferred career option.

People Also Ask

1.  What skills should a cloud architect have?

Cloud architects require a variety of skills to succeed in their roles. Some of the most important skills include:

• Networking
• Communication skills
• Java
• Python
• C
• C++

2. Is coding needed for cloud architect?

Yes, coding skills are necessary for a cloud architect, but the extent of coding knowledge required depends on the specific role and responsibilities. 

3. What is the role of a cloud architect?

The role of a cloud architect is responsible for managing an organization’s cloud computing system. This includes the cloud adoption plans, cloud design, cloud management and monitoring.