Switching from a Senior engineer to Solutions architect role.
Hello Blind, I am considering to switch a solutions architect role after being a SWE for 8 years. Can anyone shed some light on what are major differences is career growth as a solutions architect and compensation structure? Thanks
Lmao to Doremon2's response, but OP, think about this move carefully. I recently switched from Engineering to SA, and I wish I had considered it a bit better. What are the reasons that you're considering the move? My experience has been that being an SA is much less stressful than being an engineer, as you have no deliverables and own no initiatives. But on the downside you spend most of your time talking about how to accomplish a goal without actually being able to go forth and accomplish it. I miss the feeling of doing something worthwhile, rather than educating others on how to do it. Definitely some pros and cons, just be sure of what you're getting into. SA pay structure is slightly lower than engineer, though by the time you hit L6 it all about evens up
I switched from solutions architect role to engineering. I felt that my skills are getting rusted and I will be outdated. Also, I felt the role to be superficial. You will be presented as "expert" but honestly be having little knowledge of underlying implementation.
^this. No kidding. I spend half my time frantically researching services 20 minutes before a customer call that I got roped into at the last minute as the "SME" *smh* it's a great role if you have other things going on or want to focus on your own projects and development, but there's no real technical depth in the role itself.
I started my career from so called IT services companies (think TCS, Wipro etc). If you are from one of those companies I would recommend go for solution architect role. It will still be better than whatever shit you are doing. If you consider yourself even an half ass engineer please avoid that. It's also painful to see that people who could have some good technical skills getting trapped by these companies and are ignorant to even realize they could have done better. I can only advice rest is up to you. If you put a similar effort in solving leetcode and cracking interviews you couls do 5x better.
Just learn to draw boxes and arrows. That’s solution architect’s job.
What about the compensation?
If you are a solution architect in someplace like Amazon consulting or Microsoft Azure Consulting you may make good money. But my experience is that most FANG jobs are SWE dominated. Too many people who can draw boxes and arrows ....