I'm trying to figure out the differences between a Software Engineer (SWE) and a Software Architect (SA). In my last job, the senior engineer also held the title of head of engineering and seemed to do both roles. I get that Software Architects are supposed to have a deep understanding of technology stacks to evaluate which languages and frameworks to use. But isn't that also part of what Software Engineers do? For instance, when deciding between SQL and NoSQL, REST and gRPC, or monolithic versus microservices, we also need to consider the pros and cons. Now that I'm in a startup with two senior full-stack developers, one has the title of head of engineering and also evaluates tech stacks. Can someone clarify what a Software Architect actually does in practice? I'm curious because if a business owner isn't tech-savvy, they might hire a Software Engineer instead of an Architect.
5 Answers
Ultimately, the distinction varies based on the company. While some might see architects as primarily doing design and engineering as implementation, in reality, there’s a lot of overlap. Many architects still code but may spend more time strategizing about system design, requirements, and stakeholder communication.
Software architects are basically a specialized subset of software engineers. However, not every software engineer qualifies as an architect. Think of architects as engineers who have honed their skills and knowledge to focus on higher-level design and systems thinking. They evaluate the big picture and ensure that the overall architecture meets the project's needs, while the engineers nail down the nitty-gritty details.
You often need a Software Architect when your projects scale up. In simpler projects, a couple of software engineers can manage without an architect, but as complexity grows, you need someone to oversee the whole system's architecture to ensure everything aligns and fits together correctly. Otherwise, you risk creating code that doesn't integrate well.
So basically, the architect is focusing on the long-term vision of the codebase, right? Like planning for future scalability?
It really boils down to their focus and responsibilities. Architects deal with the bigger picture like understanding user needs and designing high-level solutions, while engineers focus on implementing those designs into functioning software. Sometimes the roles are blurred, but generally, that's how it breaks down.
Titles can be tricky and often don’t convey the true nature of someone's role. I’ve been in situations where there weren’t clear distinctions between engineers and architects. Sometimes, they're both doing the same work just labeled differently. In my experience, it's more about the team's dynamics than the titles themselves.
Totally agree! In some companies, there's no official role for architects; everyone chips in where needed.
Exactly! It's about having that broader vision, making decisions that affect multiple developers and teams, whereas engineers tend to work on specific features or components.