Software Engineering
Software Architect Jobs & Careers
Looking for your next Software Architect opportunity?
HOK Consulting connects Software Architects with organisations designing secure, scalable and maintainable applications, platforms and digital services across permanent, contract and interim opportunities.
Whether your experience covers Java, Python, .NET, APIs, microservices, cloud-native development or distributed systems, explore current opportunities or upload your CV to join HOK’s technology talent network.
Current Software Architect Jobs
Explore current Software Architect opportunities available through HOK Consulting.
Can’t see the right Software Architect role?
If there are currently no suitable Software Architect vacancies listed, upload your CV and tell us what you’re looking for. Our team can contact you when a relevant permanent, contract or interim opportunity becomes available.
What Does a Software Architect Do?
Software Architects define the technical structure and direction of software systems, helping organisations design applications and platforms that can remain secure, scalable and maintainable as requirements evolve.
The role typically involves making high-level design decisions across applications, APIs, microservices, databases, integrations and cloud platforms while establishing technical standards and architectural principles for engineering teams.
Software Architects often work alongside Technical Leads, Software Engineers, Engineering Managers, DevOps professionals and product teams to translate business requirements into practical technology designs and guide complex software delivery.
Software Architect Skills & Experience
The exact requirements vary between organisations, but Software Architect roles commonly involve experience across technologies and areas such as:
- Software Architecture
- Distributed Systems
- Microservices
- REST APIs
- Cloud-Native Development
- Java
- Python
- .NET
- C#
- JavaScript
- TypeScript
- Node.js
- Spring Boot
- Apache Kafka
- PostgreSQL
- SQL
- MongoDB
- Redis
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
- Technical Leadership
Software Architects are generally expected to combine broad technical knowledge with deep software engineering experience and the ability to understand how different technologies interact across complex environments.
Strong technical judgement, communication and stakeholder management skills are particularly important when balancing scalability, security, performance, maintainability and delivery requirements.
Typical Software Architect Responsibilities
- Defining software architecture and technical design principles
- Designing scalable applications, services and platforms
- Making architectural decisions across APIs, microservices and integrations
- Defining approaches for databases, data flows and distributed systems
- Designing cloud-native and containerised software architectures
- Evaluating technologies, frameworks and technical approaches
- Ensuring architecture supports security, performance and resilience requirements
- Creating architecture documentation and technical standards
- Supporting Technical Leads and Software Engineers with complex design decisions
- Reviewing proposed solutions and identifying technical risks
- Working with product, engineering, DevOps and business stakeholders
- Helping ensure short-term delivery decisions remain aligned with long-term technology strategy
Responsibilities vary depending on the organisation, technology environment and whether the role focuses on solution architecture, application architecture, platform design or wider software architecture.
Software Architect Salary Expectations
Software Architect salaries vary according to experience, location, technology stack, sector and the scale and complexity of the systems being designed.
Permanent Software Architect
Around £90,000 per year
UK median advertised salary
Contract Software Architect
Around £550 per day
UK median contract rate
Senior and Principal Software Architects with specialist cloud-native, distributed systems, financial services, enterprise-scale or transformation experience may command higher salaries or contract rates.
Salary information is provided as a general UK market guide and can vary significantly between individual roles.
Software Architect Career Progression
Software Architecture is typically a senior technical career path for experienced engineers and Technical Leads, with progression towards principal architecture and wider technology leadership.
Typical Software Architect Career Path
Alternative Career Paths
Software Architects may also progress into roles such as:
- Engineering Manager
- Head of Engineering
- Enterprise Architect
- Solution Architect
- Technical Lead
- Technology Director
The right progression depends on whether you want to deepen your architecture expertise, broaden into enterprise technology strategy or move towards engineering and technology leadership.
Your Next Move
Looking for Your Next Software Architect Opportunity?
If you’re considering your next permanent position, contract assignment or interim opportunity, send HOK Consulting your CV.
Tell us about the systems you’ve designed, the technologies and architectures you specialise in and the type of opportunity you’re looking for.
Specialist Recruitment
Software Engineering Recruitment
Software Architecture forms part of HOK Consulting’s wider Software Engineering recruitment expertise, connecting organisations with professionals across backend development, frontend development, full stack engineering, software architecture, quality engineering and technical leadership.
Hiring?
Recruiting Software Architects?
HOK Consulting supports organisations looking for experienced Software Architects across permanent, contract and interim requirements.
Whether you’re modernising complex applications, defining a new software architecture, building cloud-native platforms or need senior technical expertise for a transformation programme, speak to HOK about your requirements.