Any System Architects here?

[patracy]

Just wondered if anyone holds a position with that title? Just trying to get an idea of average salary would be.

[Rottie]

I R One. Been a Lead Systems Architect for a number of years now. Salary really depends on where you work. Around Atlanta the going rate is between 90 and 120K for an employee and really about the same as a consultant. It does really cap out pretty quickly once you cross triple digits unless you decide to go the management route. Having done both I can say without question that skipping the management route meant a break in pay but a huge break in the BS factor :D. PM me if you want the gory details.

[patracy]

Thanks, PM a coming.

[chkaotic]

What exactly does a "Systems Architect"... architect? Would that be something like an IT/Networking Engineer?

[Rottie]

You design major software systems and then work with the developers to actually build it. Often, an architect is one of the lead developers but is always very technical. Very similar to an architect of buildings. We have to have in-depth knowledge of all facets of systems (hardware, software, networking, redundancy) and the available techniques and then we work the actual providers (developers, vendors, network specialists, etc) to actually deliver a working solution. Much more hands on than a project manager or any other type of manager.

[seawraith]

I'm a Senior Solutions Architect. We're currently interviewing for an entry level architect position. Shoot me your resume if interested.

[chkaotic]

So technically I am a Systems Architect as well, by that definition.. altho I prefer the term Network Engineer :)

[Rottie]

So technically I am a Systems Architect as well, by that definition.. altho I prefer the term Network Engineer :)

Dunno. In all my current client's shops a Network Engineer is just that; a person that handles firewalls, cabling, routers, VPN, etc. whereas an architect includes the network requirements as part of their design and then gives it to the Network Engineer to make the necessary changes. Then again, I've seen titles interpreted so many different ways that it boggles the mind sometimes. I once worked with a senior DBA on a project and he summed it up perfectly, "They can call me anything they want as long as they pay my full rate." I think that says it all :D

[chkaotic]

Dunno. In all my current client's shops a Network Engineer is just that; a person that handles firewalls, cabling, routers, VPN, etc. whereas an architect includes the network requirements as part of their design and then gives it to the Network Engineer to make the necessary changes. Then again, I've seen titles interpreted so many different ways that it boggles the mind sometimes. I once worked with a senior DBA on a project and he summed it up perfectly, "They can call me anything they want as long as they pay my full rate." I think that says it all :D

Yeah exactly.. I am a "Network Engineer" that also does network design, software development, scripting, and RF/Satcom management. I tried to have them put "Everything Engineer" on my business cards, but for some strange reason they decided to go with the standard nomenclature :)