The revenue from the software market is set to reach $659 billion in 2023.
Developing good software requires designing software by aligning technical and business needs for which Software Architects are crucial.
This article provides insights to hire Software Architects and explores the potential of hiring such talents in Poland or Ukraine.
What Is a Software Architect?
A Software Architect designs high-level concepts and sets technical standards to develop high-quality IT solutions.
What Does a Software Architect Do? Roles and Responsibilities
The major Software Architect roles and responsibilities include:
- Crafting the functional and non-functional requirements for software applications
- Collaborating with team members to finalize functions and user interface of the product
- Ensuring alignment of software specifications with business objectives
- Communicating guidelines and technical standards to the development team
- Taking regular progress updates of the software development strategy
- Providing expert guidance to developers and engineers
- Helping finalize the final product before launch.
Types of Software Architects
Software Architects often specialize in the various roles that are present during software development. There are three types of Software Architects.
1. Enterprise Architects
They help structure a company’s operations and IT Infrastructure by providing a holistic and strategic approach. They look into the business case for different technologies introduced in the company.
2. Solutions Architects
Solutions Architects focus on turning business requirements into useful products by covering idea conception, analysis, implementation, and maintenance. They help to ensure that the final products align seamlessly with both technical specifications and strategic business goals.
3. Domain Architects
Such Software Architects have specialized knowledge in a particular domain. For instance, a cloud-focused Domain Architect can help design the entire cloud infrastructure.
Key Skills to Look Out for When Hiring Software Architects
Before deciding to hire a Software Architect, a holistic analysis of the capabilities of these talents is necessary. Below are some important Software Architect required skills.
1. Technical
An essential skill is being adept in Unified Modeling Language (UML) which helps to visualize the design of a system.
Furthermore, understanding one or more programming languages such as Java, Python, Rust, etc along with DevOps familiarity is crucial.
2. Leadership
Leadership is among the most important skills required for Software Architects as it enables them to oversee the entire vision of the project and lead the team in a positive direction.
3. Problem-solving & Conflict Resolution
There are constant problems and conflicts that they need to tackle with a calm and solution-driven approach. For instance, the Software Architect may need to sort out different requirements from different stakeholders into a cohesive software system.
4. Organization
Among Software Architects’ soft skills, organization is crucial to ensure that the UML diagrams they develop are completely structured and act as a clear roadmap for development.
5. Detailed Thinking
There are many intricate details during system design that are connected which requires the ability to connect the dots. Additionally, they need to foresee any potential issues and optimize the performance bottlenecks.
6. Creative Thinking
Unique problems can show up that can require unconventional solutions with limited resources through creative thinking. Consider asking scenario-based questions in interviews to check if candidates can devise creative solutions to unique problems within specified constraints.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring Software Architects
Pitfalls in the hiring process may lead to the wrong hire which leads to a waste of time and money. Therefore, avoid these common hiring mistakes.
1. Neglecting Technical Skills Assessment
Assess candidates based on proficiency in required technologies and relevant tools. This can be achieved by creating a standardized and comprehensive technical evaluation exercise.
2. Ignoring Soft Skills
The role of a Software Architect involves a significant amount of time with other stakeholders that require good soft skills to excel. Consider communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities in the Software Architect.
3. Focusing Solely on Experience
Evaluate adaptability, willingness to learn, and industry passion too rather than only looking at the years of experience.
4. Not Evaluating Architectural Design Skills
Ask candidates to explain their approach to complex problems by providing real-world scenarios. This can help to measure their practical architectural design skills and their ability to defend their decision-making process.
How to Hire A Software Architect: Choosing The Perfect Candidate
Having the right hiring process makes it much easier to hire the right Developer. Here are some tips to hire Software Architects.
1. Encourage Interviewees to Discuss Recent Accomplishments
Get into the specific details of their recent projects by asking them to sketch the high-level concept. Furthermore, use the products they previously developed to see their quality.
2. Observe Their Enthusiasm and Problem-Solving Skills
Passionate workers can achieve higher levels of performance. During the interview process, assess how passionate they are about the process of conceptualizing a solution.
Furthermore, dive into their problem-solving skills by asking different questions that can challenge their thinking.
3. Evaluate Communication Skills
Since Software Architects need to be good communicators for success in this role, its essential to assess how they present their findings including communicating complex topics with clarity.
4. Test Adaptability and Collaboration
Don’t hesitate to put them on the spot by asking questions related to their previous projects such as how they did resource allocation and why they chose a specific technology over others.
Additionally, evaluate how well they can collaborate with others since a big chunk of their time is spent working with team members.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire A Software Architect?
The average hourly rate for U.S. based Software Architects is $65 while in the U.K. it is $50 per hour.
The rates are more affordable in Poland at $40 per hour and in Ukraine at $32 per hour.
Best Models for Hiring Software Architects
Depending on the specific business requirements, there are three models to hire Software Architects.
1. In-House
In-House Software Architects are part of the internal team and are paid a monthly salary.
Advantages
- There is better team integration and collaboration for complete system design
- More control and security over the entire project
Disadvantages
- Higher costs resulting from a complete pay package
- Quick employee turnover can lead to loss in momentum
2. Freelance
Freelancers are independent contractors who are paid based on a project basis.
Advantages
- Lower costs as payment is only for the time of the project
- Access to professionals with expertise in specialized domains
Disadvantages
- Collaboration between freelancer and internal team may develop conflicts
- Their focus might decrease by handling projects for multiple clients
3. Outsourcing
Outsourcing involves delegating the recruiting process to a third-party recruiting firm.
Advantages
- Shortens the the recruitment time to fill in vacant positions
- They have access to highly skilled and immediately available specialized talent
Disadvantages
- Chances of candidates being suggested who aren’t a cultural fit
- There can be coordination issues among the two teams
Hire Remote Software Architects
A remote Software Architect can be an excellent option that presents the exciting opportunity of hiring talent from across the globe at affordable costs.
With reliable video conferencing tools along with resources that enable real-time collaboration online, it has become very feasible to work with remote talents.
Why Hire Software Architects From Poland Or Ukraine?
When looking for remote Software Architects, talent from Poland and Ukraine is highly sought after for the following reasons.
1. Talent Pool
The strong talent pool has led to companies such as Google and IBM opting for services here. For instance, Poland has been dubbed as another Silicon Valley with it being the world’s third preferred location for foreign investors.
2. Cost-Effectiveness
For the same kind of quality that talents in places such as the U.S. and the U.K. can contribute, the talents in Poland and Ukraine can do the same at an affordable rate.
3. English Proficiency
High literacy rates along with a Western business culture have led to high English proficiency in these countries.
4. Time Zone Advantage
The time zone is also overlapping which makes collaboration more easier and helps for prompt resolution of issues or coordination among team members.
Let RemoDevs Help You Hire Software Architects
RemoDevs provides a complete recruitment solution to hire Software Architects as per the specific needs of businesses. We focus on tech talent from Poland and Ukraine who fit your offer and company culture.
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Founder and Chief Executive Officer at RemoDevs