What is a Blockchain Architect?
Written by Lindsay McKay
Information technology is full of many in-demand jobs with employers looking for professionals with varied educational experience and backgrounds. Even if you don't have a computer science or IT degree, there is still space for you in the IT landscape. Some jobs in high demand include network analyst or someone with a Network+ training background, as well as individuals with A+ training to do work in technical support. A technology that has been getting a lot more attention in the last few years is blockchain, but what kind of jobs can you do in that? A quick google search shows jobs with titles such as a blockchain developer, blockchain manager, blockchain engineer, blockchain architect and much more. Let’s talk more about a blockchain architect; what education and skills do you need to succeed and what does the job entail? Read on to learn all about a career as a blockchain architect.
Skills to Succeed as a Blockchain Architect
Alberta Cuesta Cañada, blockchain architect, co-founder, and technical lead at Yield describes his role as a blockchain architect as:
[The] bridge between business and technology. I talk to the business side to understand what it is what they need, and to the technology side to know what is possible. Then I come up with proposals to deliver to the business with the technology available and iterate until we find an acceptable solution. During the implementation I refine the idea as challenges appear.
He also says knowing a lot about technology or about business helps, but what an architect actually does, in his experience, is understand and communicate. Having communication skills is brought up a lot in IT careers showing that communication training is as important as IT training.
Technical skills and knowledge needed to be a blockchain architect include:
- Blockchain Infrastructure: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Hyperledger, Quorum, Corda and more are in this space
- Blockchain Developmental Tools and Frameworks: consensus algorithms, transactions, crypto hashing, tokens, on, off, and cross-chain activity
- High Understanding of Various Programming Languages: such as GO, Java, or NodeJS
- Smart Contract Development: Coding smart contracts is one of the bigger uses of blockchain technology
- Knowledge of Other Technology Fields: cloud architecture, DevOps, UX, Security+ training and anything else that could add value to the projects you are working on
- Master of Blockchain Interoperability
- A clear grasp of the technical concepts of ICO (Initial Coin Offering) whitepaper
- How to combine blockchain technology and business successfully
A combination of personal research, job experience and an education course like Arcitura’s Certified Blockchain Architect course will provide all the necessary blockchain architecture, infrastructure, and fundamental knowledge to get you started in this lucrative career.
What Your Day Could Look Like as a Blockchain Architect
Blockchain enthusiast and industry expert, Diego Geroni, explains that “a blockchain architect is responsible for working with the R&D teams and helps to infuse blockchain in building and designing solutions that leverage cross-asset frameworks and concepts”, but what does that really mean? Here is a list of responsibilities to help better understand:
- Designing and developing computing applications
- Developing blockchain product specifications
- Applying cryptography to enhance blockchain security
- Lead the technical team to ensure that any solution is a tremendous success
- Have calls with many members of the team including blockchain developers, designers and front-end developers, and external clients
- Developing and monitoring smart contracts
- Developing blockchain business models to couple tech with existing business models
Depending on your specific role, your day and responsibilities could look quite different. As the field is still relatively new and always evolving, be sure to do research into the specific role you are looking at to ensure that you have the skills and knowledge to succeed.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this post is considered true and accurate as of the publication date. However, the accuracy of this information may be impacted by changes in circumstances that occur after the time of publication. TechnoEdge Learning assumes no liability for any error or omissions in the information contained in this post or any other post in our blog.