Solutions Architect Job Description: Salary, Top Companies, and Future
By Mukesh Kumar
Updated on Apr 23, 2025 | 14 min read | 5.8k views
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By Mukesh Kumar
Updated on Apr 23, 2025 | 14 min read | 5.8k views
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Solutions Architect Job Description Summary: A solutions architect maps business needs to workable tech. They’re the ones figuring out how different systems will talk to each other, which tech stack makes the most sense, and how to build something that scales without breaking budgets or timelines. Key duties include designing cloud computing architectures and resolving technical bottlenecks mid-project.
Did you know? According to Statista, the global digital transformation spending is projected to hit USD 3.9 trillion by 2027. That kind of momentum demands talent equipped to design smart, resilient systems. If you want to build the technical depth to meet that demand, the best beginning points are software engineering programs that can help you learn backend, full stack, system design, and architecture fundamentals.
In this guide, we’ll break down the solutions architect job description, covering roles and responsibilities, skills, salary trends, and how to grow into this role.
Want to architect systems that truly scale and ship? The Professional Certificate in Cloud Computing and DevOps is designed for professionals stepping into solution-level roles. It covers what you actually need on the job — cloud design, infrastructure automation, container orchestration, and CI/CD workflows. You’ll work on 50+ industry projects and 100+ cloud services throughout this 8-month course.
Definition – Solutions Architect: A solutions architect is responsible for designing how different technologies within an organization work together to solve specific business problems. They figure out how to make systems communicate and ensure everything runs efficiently, securely, and within constraints. It's a role that blends technical expertise with systems thinking and a sharp understanding of business context.
Getting into this role almost always requires more than just technical know-how — it calls for architectural thinking and cross-functional clarity. That’s why many professionals pursue certifications like the Executive Diploma in Machine Learning and AI to learn how to architect intelligent, AI-ready systems and the Postgraduate Certificate in Data Science to gain clarity around integrating analytics-heavy applications into larger system designs.
A solutions architect’s work revolves around planning, problem-solving, and keeping multiple teams aligned on the technical vision. They act as the glue between business intent and working systems.
Day-to-day Duties of a Solutions Architect:
The Full Stack Development Bootcamp by upGrad is built for professionals who want to go beyond feature delivery and understand how entire systems come together. It covers front-end, back-end, databases, and deployment — giving you a 360° view of how applications are designed, scaled, and maintained. If you're aiming to grow into a solutions architect role, this kind of foundational clarity can make all the difference.
Did you know? According to a 2024 report by Gartner, on average, only 48% of digital initiatives meet their objectives, often due to a lack of clear architectural guidance. Solutions Architects play a pivotal role in bridging this gap, ensuring that technology solutions align seamlessly with business goals.
A Solutions Architect is instrumental in translating business requirements into scalable, secure, and efficient technical solutions. Let’s explore the solutions architect job description – roles and responsibilities – in detail.
Roles of Responsibilities of a Solutions Architect:
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You’ll need the ability to architect at scale and solve problems that haven’t yet been fully defined to succeed in your role. And to get there, you need a mix of hands-on technical depth and leadership-level perspective. Let’s explore both!
Solutions Architects are often trusted to define the technical path forward on high-stakes projects. These skills are foundational to that responsibility.
Key Tech Skills:
Solutions Architects need to operate across departments, cultures, and time zones, and that requires more than technical know-how.
Key Soft Skills:
Looking to sharpen the soft skills that actually move projects forward — like critical thinking, clear communication, and cross-team collaboration? upGrad’s free soft skills courses are designed to help you lead better conversations, make smarter decisions, and build trust with technical and non-technical teams alike.
Did you know? According to a Zippia study, 66% of solutions architects hold a bachelor's degree, and 24% have a master's degree.
Formal education always provides a strong foundation, but the journey to becoming a solutions architect is multifaceted. It combines academic knowledge with practical experience and continuous learning.
To embark on this path, consider the following qualifications and educational backgrounds:
Solutions Architects are often mistaken for other architect-level roles, including enterprise, infrastructure, and software/technical architects. Wondering why? Well, that’s because each title sounds similar and involves high-level planning in the technology space. However, what separates them is their area of focus.
While a Solutions Architect zooms in on solving specific business problems with tailored technical solutions, other architects have a broader or deeper specialization — be it enterprise-wide strategy or infrastructure management.
Let’s explore all these roles and see how they differ from a solutions architect role.
Definition – Enterprise Architect: An Enterprise Architect defines the long-term IT strategy and ensures that all tech initiatives align with business goals at a macro level. They don't focus on individual projects or systems but look at the big picture: how all systems, technologies, and processes interact across departments and regions.
Here’s how Enterprise Architects compare with Solutions Architects:
Aspect |
Solutions Architect |
Enterprise Architect |
Focus | Project-level technical solution design | Organization-wide IT strategy and governance |
Scope | Narrow, specific to one or a few systems | Broad, across all departments and tech ecosystems |
Key Deliverable | Working software/system meeting business needs | Enterprise IT blueprint aligned to business goals |
Stakeholder Interaction | Works closely with devs, PMs, and business stakeholders | Works with C-suite and strategic decision-makers |
Output | Blueprints, tech stack decisions, solution documentation | Policies, enterprise architecture models, frameworks |
Definition – Infrastructure Architect: An Infrastructure Architect is responsible for designing and maintaining the foundational tech infrastructure that supports systems and applications. This includes servers, networks, data centers, and cloud services. Their main priority is ensuring that systems run smoothly, securely, and with maximum uptime.
Here’s how they compare with Solutions Architects:
Aspect |
Solutions Architect |
Infrastructure Architect |
Focus | Business needs and software/system-level design | Hardware, network, and hosting environment |
Scope | Application-level integration | IT backbone: servers, cloud, networking |
Key Deliverable | Functional system addressing specific business goals | Scalable, resilient, and secure infrastructure |
Stakeholder Interaction | Clients, developers, and functional heads | SysAdmins, DevOps, IT support teams |
Output | Solution diagrams, integration strategies | Infrastructure diagrams, capacity plans, configuration docs |
Definition – Software Architect: A Software or Technical Architect is a specialist focused on engineering best practices within one or more software systems. They determine coding standards, choose frameworks, and ensure software scalability and maintainability. Unlike a Solutions Architect, their view is deep rather than wide.
Here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
Aspect |
Solutions Architect |
Software/Technical Architect |
Focus | Bridging business problems with tech solutions | Deep focus on code architecture and software design |
Scope | Business systems and software integration | Internal design of software components |
Key Deliverable | End-to-end system that fits business needs | Clean, efficient, scalable software modules |
Stakeholder Interaction | Business users, PMs, dev teams | Primarily developers and engineering leads |
Output | System architecture docs, APIs, integration plans | UML diagrams, code templates, architecture documentation |
Also Read: Software Architect Salary in India 2025
Although both roles collaborate closely throughout the lifecycle of a project, the nature of their contributions is distinctly different. A Solutions Architect is concerned with how a problem will be solved through technology, while a Project Manager focuses on when and by whom it will be executed.
To help you clearly distinguish their responsibilities and focus areas, here’s a detailed comparison:
Aspect |
Solutions Architect |
Project Manager |
Primary Focus | Designing and validating the technical solution | Delivering the project on time, within scope and budget |
Core Responsibility | Aligns technical strategy with business goals | Manages timelines, budgets, resources, and communication |
Skill Emphasis | Technical knowledge, architecture planning, systems integration | Planning, coordination, stakeholder communication, risk management |
Stakeholder Interaction | Translates business needs into technical solutions | Communicates progress, manages stakeholder expectations |
Tools Used | Architecture modeling tools, tech stacks, cloud platforms | Project management tools (e.g., Jira, Trello, MS Project) |
Team Role | Leads technical discussions; guides developers | Leads overall project execution; aligns team efforts across functions |
Involvement in Development | High involvement in solution design and technical decision-making | Oversees development timelines; not involved in writing or validating code |
Goal | Deliver a technically sound, scalable, and maintainable solution | Ensure the solution is delivered on time, within budget, and meets expectations |
Average Annual Solutions Architect Salary in India in 2025: INR 30L
Did you know? In addition to their annual salaries, solutions architects in India earn an additional INR 3L per year from tips, bonuses, commissions, and profit sharing.
The significant earning potential of solutions architects reflects how critical their role is when it comes to bridging business objectives with technical solutions. Their expertise in designing scalable and efficient systems is highly valued across industries.
However, salaries vary based on experience, industry, and location. Let’s explore it all.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the salaries of solutions architects by experience:
Experience Level |
Average Annual Solutions Architect Salary Range |
4-6 Years | INR 10L to INR 25L |
7-9 Years | INR 13.4L to INR 25L |
15+ Years | INR 24L to INR 38.6L |
Source: Glassdoor
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the salaries of solutions architects by industry:
Industry |
Average Annual Solutions Architect Salary |
IT Services and Consulting | INR 31.3L |
Internet | INR 28.1L |
Analytics and KPO | INR 29.8L |
Software Product | INR 32.6L |
Telecom | INR 28.4L |
Consulting | INR 30.4L |
Emerging Technologies | INR 34.9L |
Banking | INR 35.3L |
Fintech | INR 36.3L |
Industrial Machinery | INR 35.7L |
Source: AmbitionBox
Here’s a simplified breakdown of solutions architects’ salaries in different parts of India:
City |
Average Annual Solutions Architect Salary |
Mumbai | INR 30.8L |
Delhi | INR 29.7L |
Chennai | INR 30.1L |
Bengaluru | INR 30.8L |
Source: AmbitionBox
Finally, let’s see how solutions architects salaries in India compare to those in the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Australia.
Country |
Average Annual Solutions Architect Salary |
India | INR 30L |
USA | INR 1.74 Cr |
UK | INR 80.87L |
Germany | INR 91L |
Canada | INR 61.62L |
Australia | INR 1 Cr |
*Please Note: The global salaries for solutions architects can vary based on fluctuations in the currency conversion charges in real time.
Source: Glassdoor
Did you know? Solutions Architects typically report to the Head of Engineering, CTO, or a senior technology leader, depending on the size and structure of the organization.
So, how do you move from being a developer or engineer to someone who designs complete systems and leads cross-functional teams? Let’s checkout a practical breakdown of how to get there!
Step-by-step guidance to becoming a solutions architect:
Solutions Architects are in high demand across various industries in India, including IT services, e-commerce, finance, and cloud computing. Their expertise in designing scalable and efficient systems makes them valuable assets to organizations aiming to align technology with business goals.
List of top companies in India that Hire Solutions Architects:
Company |
Employee Rating Out of 5 |
Sector/Industry |
Amazon | 3.6 | E-commerce & Cloud |
Wipro | 3.6 | IT Services |
Board International | 3.3 | Business Intelligence |
Thomson Reuters | 4.1 | Media & Information |
Kofax | 3.6 | Software & Automation |
Source: Glassdoor, AmbitionBox
Did you know? According to a Salesforce study, Solutions Architect demand in the Salesforce ecosystem saw a whopping 23% year-over-year increase, the highest for any other role in North America. Salary growth was also witnessed across Europe and Asia, including India.
The rapid adoption of cloud technologies, digital transformation initiatives, and the increasing complexity of IT systems across industries fuels this growth.
Key factors driving this positive job outlook:
No one steps into the role of a Solutions Architect by chance. It’s a deliberate career path built on technical expertise, business intuition, and the ability to simplify complexity. As companies in every sector push for scalable, secure, and future-ready systems, your ability to connect business needs with the right tech becomes invaluable. This role is your chance to design systems that actually change how companies operate and grow.
If you're serious about getting there, it helps to back your journey with the right foundation. upGrad’s Software Engineering and Development courses are designed for real-world outcomes, equipping you with hands-on skills across cloud, DevOps, backend, and more.
Not sure where to start? Book a free career counseling session with our experts. They’ll help you evaluate your current profile and map the way forward honestly and practically.
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References:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/870924/worldwide-digital-transformation-market-size/
https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-10-22-gartner-survey-reveals-that-only-48-percent-of-digital-initiatives-meet-or-exceed-their-business-outcome-targets
https://www.zippia.com/solutions-architect-jobs/education/
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