- Information Technology Roles
- Technology Architect
- NOCs #2171, #2147
Technology Architect
Much like a skyscraper architect plans, designs and reviews the construction of the building, a technology architect plans, designs and reviews the technology structure for their company. They pay attention to the details and make sure that the technology framework is put together piece by piece.
The energy industry is complex, using a variety of sophisticated information technologies to extract, process, transport and market its products. The technology architect is responsible for coming up with the high-level or overarching technology solutions for their companies. A core focus of an architecture role is to streamline environments and create principles for technology roadmaps into the future to ensure various technologies are integrated, or knitted, together.
The technology architect occupation may specialize in any of the following roles required inside oil and gas companies:
- Solution architects tasked with developing solutions to specific business problems
- Domain architects who cover business, application, data/information and infrastructure areas
- Enterprise architects who address all-encompassing or over-all organizational domain issues
- Specialized roles such as cloud architects, who manage an organizations’ cloud computing network and strategy
Technology architects typically work in information technology teams within larger corporations.
I'm interested in a career in
- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $89,000 to $143,000
- Education Post-secondary degree
- Career Demand Growing
In this occupation activities may include:
- Analyzing systems requirements.
- Building and deploying secure, robust, reliable, scalable and efficient IT infrastructure and operational systems.
- Developing and implementing information systems development plans, policies and procedures.
- Consulting with users/business units to assess physical and technical security risks to data, software and hardware.
- Providing advice on information systems strategy, policy, management, security and service delivery.
Education
- Typically, the minimum education requirement for employment as a Technology Architect is a bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science or a related discipline.
- This is a senior role and many employers prefer Technology Architects to have at least five to ten years experience as IT professionals.
Certifications
- Some employers may request an Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA) designation. The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA) program is an independent global certification program for qualifying the skills, knowledge and experience of Technology, Business, and Enterprise Architects.
Licensing
- Information Systems Professional is a protected title under Alberta’s Professional and Occupational Associations Registration Act. In order to use the title Information Systems Professional or use the I.S.P. designation, you must be a registered member of the Canadian Information Processing Society of Alberta (CIPS Alberta).
Additional Requirements
- Some employers require Technology Architects to have five to ten years IT experience
- Familiarity with setting up infrastructure for core business applications such as Maximo, Oracle, Cisco/Meraki networking, SAP, Microsoft Active Directory, VMWare, Skype for Business, PowerShell, SharePoint and Microsoft server environments is beneficial
- Knowledge of Public Cloud Architectures is considered beneficial
- Working knowledge of wired and wireless networking/SAN solutions, local and remote backup technologies and VOIP services
- Knowledge of converged and hyperconverged infrastructures is an asset
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
- Minimal or no travel
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
Technology Architects are logical, organized and highly technical. They have a strong knowledge of existing wired and wireless networking/SAN solutions, local and remote backup technologies, VOIP services, core business applications and emerging technologies. They are also able to clearly communicate complex ideas and plans to non-technical people.
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design Creation
- Cyber/Data Security
- Understanding Risk
- Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
- Systems Evaluation and Analysis
- Technology Design
- Complex Problem Solving
- Cost Benefit Analysis
- Administrative
