IT infrastructure architect job description.
Hiring an IT infrastructure architect or planning your next senior move? This IT infrastructure architect job description outlines responsibilities including designing enterprise systems, assessing risk, guiding large-scale migrations, and advising on infrastructure strategy. It includes essential skills and what this role typically pays.
What does an IT infrastructure architect do?
An IT infrastructure architect designs enterprise-scale infrastructure solutions that support availability, scalability, and security. They define system architecture, select technologies, and ensure that infrastructure aligns with operational and strategic needs.
Their responsibilities include designing network and compute frameworks, assessing risks, setting technical standards, and supporting digital transformation. They also work with project managers and stakeholders during major change programmes.
In smaller organisations, they design and support full stacks. In larger businesses, they specialise in architecture for cloud, storage, or network layers, often collaborating with CTOs or heads of IT.
Key responsibilities of an IT infrastructure architect.
Infrastructure architects design scalable, secure, and resilient IT environments. Their responsibilities usually include:
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Defining the technical architecture for networks, servers, and cloud platforms
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Reviewing infrastructure requirements and aligning them with business needs
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Designing high-availability and disaster recovery solutions
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Selecting technologies, tools, and frameworks for infrastructure projects
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Collaborating with security and compliance teams to ensure governance
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Creating detailed infrastructure diagrams and documentation
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Supporting infrastructure teams in project execution and handovers
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Evaluating existing systems and proposing optimisation strategies
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Leading design decisions for major IT change initiatives
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Staying updated on emerging technologies and cloud innovations
This role blends architectural strategy with hands-on technical planning.
Skills and requirements for an IT infrastructure architect.
Infrastructure architects design technical systems supporting secure and scalable IT environments. Employers typically look for:
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8–12 years of experience in systems, networks, or architecture roles
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Deep knowledge of on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments
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Proven ability to design high-availability infrastructure solutions
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Skilled in security, virtualisation, and performance optimisation
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Strong understanding of networking protocols, firewalls, and load balancers
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Familiarity with infrastructure as code, automation, and DevOps principles
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Ability to document architecture and system integrations clearly
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Confidence working with engineers, vendors, and project managers
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Comfortable aligning infrastructure with compliance and operational needs
Most infrastructure architects provide strategic direction for system scalability and reliability.
Average salary for an IT infrastructure architect.
In the UK, the average salary for an IT infrastructure architect typically ranges from £70,000 to £100,000, reflecting strategic design, scalability planning, and resilience.
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Mid-level infrastructure architects typically earn between £70,000 and £85,000
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Senior professionals building hybrid estates or enterprise-level infrastructure may earn between £86,000 and £100,000
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Cloud transformation, cybersecurity integration, and vendor oversight are key salary drivers
Top-paying roles are in consulting firms, large-scale enterprises, and digital transformation initiatives.
Career progression for an IT infrastructure architect.
An IT infrastructure architect is responsible for designing scalable, secure, and resilient systems. This role typically follows years of hands-on engineering experience and can lead into enterprise architecture or technology leadership. A typical path includes:
Infrastructure engineer / Network specialist
Delivers implementation work, supports systems architecture, and collaborates on integrations and upgrades.
Senior infrastructure engineer
Leads projects involving system overhauls, migrations, or multi-site deployments. Develops standards and documentation.
IT infrastructure architect
Designs enterprise infrastructure solutions — including hybrid cloud, networking, and disaster recovery. Ensures long-term scalability and performance alignment.
Enterprise architect / Head of infrastructure
Owns technical standards and governance across multiple domains or business units. Collaborates with CIOs and CISOs.
CTO / VP of technology
Transitions into executive leadership. Defines the future of enterprise technology, platform modernisation, and strategic IT innovation.
salary guide
Our UK IT salary guide.
Infrastructure architects design scalable and secure enterprise systems. Offers should reflect depth in architecture, vendor management, and cross-platform expertise.
Our IT salary guide includes benchmarks for architect-level roles, 2024 salary comparisons, and salary planning projections into 2026.
FAQS
IT infrastructure architect FAQs.
They design scalable and resilient infrastructure solutions aligned with business goals. This includes evaluating technologies, planning migrations, and defining the long-term structure of on-prem and cloud environments.
Engineers build and maintain systems based on defined plans. architects create the blueprints — deciding how systems should be structured, integrated, and evolved. It’s a design-heavy, strategic role with long-term impact.
Strong experience designing complex environments, excellent documentation skills, and the ability to balance performance, cost, and security. Candidates with Azure or AWS design certifications often bring additional value.
Common examples include cloud migration, data centre consolidation, disaster recovery planning, or moving legacy apps to containerised platforms. Their decisions shape the stability and cost-efficiency of IT operations.
Progression often leads to enterprise architect, CTO (in infrastructure-heavy businesses), or consulting. Some move laterally into cyber strategy or compliance architecture roles in regulated sectors.
