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Systems & Solutions Architect

Technology

Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.

You can enter this career straight after SPM. A degree is optional, not required.

Computer Science

Picture the job

Where you'd usually workA desk of screens, or a server room

  • Mostly indoors
  • Sitting for most of the day
  • Rarely dealing with the public
  • Regular working hours

An illustration of a typical workplace, not a photo. The work-style notes come from US O*NET data, so read them as a guide.

In Malaysia

Solutions architects in Malaysia are mostly found at cloud providers and resellers, system integrators, banks and SAP/ERP consultancies; Randstad also lists a pre-sales solution architect track (RM7,000–25,000). It is not a graduate role.

How people get into it here
SPM → diploma or STPM/matriculation/foundation → Bachelor's in computer science, software engineering or IT → developer/engineer or consultant for several years → solutions architect; cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) are commonly asked for.
Demand
PIKOM's Economic and Digital Job Market Outlook 2025 names solutions architects among the highest-paid technical roles, averaging RM15,516 a month (top 10%: RM25,083). PIKOM EDJMO 2025, reported by The Edge/KLSE Screener

Sources:randstad.com.myklsescreener.compikom.org.myplatform.mdec.com.my

Pay in Malaysia

Starting in the role

RM18,000 – RM24,000

per month

Experienced

RM24,000 – RM30,000

per month

From a published Malaysian salary guide. Actual offers vary by employer, city and experience. This is a senior role: people usually reach it after several years in a related job.

Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide · Dec 2024

How far is this from you?

Roughly how much preparation this job usually takes. In Malaysia your UPU route and the programme's syarat still decide entry, so treat this as a guide, not a gate.

  1. 1

    Entry straight after SPM

  2. 2

    SPM + sijil / short TVET course

  3. Typical entry

    Diploma / TVET (sijil–diploma)

  4. 4

    Degree (ijazah sarjana muda)

  5. 5

    Postgrad (sarjana / PhD) or professional route

Typical educationPost-secondary certificate

Quick answers

How do you become a Systems & Solutions Architect in Malaysia?

SPM → diploma or STPM/matriculation/foundation → Bachelor's in computer science, software engineering or IT → developer/engineer or consultant for several years → solutions architect; cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) are commonly asked for.

Can I become a Systems & Solutions Architect straight after SPM?

Yes. This career can be started with a certificate, diploma or TVET training straight after SPM, without a degree.

What should I study to become a Systems & Solutions Architect?

Related fields of study: Computer Science. SPM subjects that help most: Computer Science / ICT, Electrical & Electronic Eng. Studies, English and Physics.

How much does a Systems & Solutions Architect earn in Malaysia?

Published figures put pay for someone new to this role at RM18,000 – RM24,000 a month, and RM24,000 – RM30,000 with experience (source: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide, Dec 2024).

What you'd do all day

The tasks that matter most in this job, most important first.

  1. 1Communicate with staff or clients to understand specific system requirements.
  2. 2Investigate system component suitability for specified purposes, and make recommendations regarding component use.
  3. 3Provide customers or installation teams guidelines for implementing secure systems.
  4. 4Direct the analysis, development, and operation of complete computer systems.
  5. 5Monitor system operation to detect potential problems.
  6. 6Direct the installation of operating systems, network or application software, or computer or network hardware.
  7. 7Verify stability, interoperability, portability, security, or scalability of system architecture.
  8. 8Identify system data, hardware, or software components required to meet user needs.
  9. 9Perform ongoing hardware and software maintenance operations, including installing or upgrading hardware or software.
  10. 10Research, test, or verify proper functioning of software patches and fixes.
  11. 11Configure servers to meet functional specifications.
  12. 12Collaborate with engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components.
  13. 13Document design specifications, installation instructions, and other system-related information.
  14. 14Design and conduct hardware or software tests.
  15. 15Evaluate existing systems to determine effectiveness, and suggest changes to meet organizational requirements.
  16. 16Perform security analyses of developed or packaged software components.
  17. 17Provide technical guidance or support for the development or troubleshooting of systems.
  18. 18Define and analyze objectives, scope, issues, or organizational impact of information systems.
  19. 19Establish functional or system standards to address operational requirements, quality requirements, and design constraints.
  20. 20Develop system engineering, software engineering, system integration, or distributed system architectures.
  21. 21Provide advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes.
  22. 22Evaluate current or emerging technologies to consider factors such as cost, portability, compatibility, or usability.
  23. 23Develop or approve project plans, schedules, or budgets.
  24. 24Communicate project information through presentations, technical reports, or white papers.
  25. 25Train system users in system operation or maintenance.
  26. 26Complete models and simulations, using manual or automated tools, to analyze or predict system performance under different operating conditions.
  27. 27Develop application-specific software.
  28. 28Develop efficient and effective system controllers.

Also known as

What this job is called on JobStreet, LinkedIn and in job ads. Search these too.

  • IT Engineer
  • IT Architect
  • Web Architect
  • Cloud Engineer
  • Cloud Architect
  • Network Analyst
  • Network Engineer
  • Systems Engineer
  • Target Developer
  • Firmware Engineer

Subjects that matter here

The SPM subjects worth your effort for this career, with the reason for each.

Computer Science / ICTDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesDraws directly on Computers and Electronics — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
EnglishDraws directly on English Language — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
PhysicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).
Additional MathematicsDraws directly on Engineering and Technology — a top knowledge area for this role (O*NET).

What you'd need to know

The subject areas this job leans on most, and the SPM subjects that build them.

  • Computers and Electronics98%

    Computer Science / ICTElectrical & Electronic Eng. Studies

  • English Language82%

    English

  • Telecommunications79%

    Electrical & Electronic Eng. StudiesComputer Science / ICT

  • Customer and Personal Service77%
  • Engineering and Technology75%

    PhysicsAdditional MathematicsDesign & Technology (RBT)

  • Administration and Management66%

    BusinessEconomics

Tools you'd use

Software and equipment that show up in this job, worth learning early.

Where to learn these, free

Scholarships & funding

What the work feels like

Day-to-day working conditions, so you can tell whether the job suits how you like to work.

  • Face-to-face discussionsEvery day
  • Contact with other peopleConstant contact
  • Dealing with customers or the publicA little
  • Leading or coordinating othersHigh
  • Handling conflict situationsRarely
  • Indoors, air-conditionedEvery day
  • Outdoors, in all weatherAlmost never
  • Noisy environmentAlmost never

AI and demand for this job

A few real, dated data points, not a single score. AI making some tasks faster usually means a job changes, not that it disappears.

21%

Share of everyday tasks today's AI can already help with (2023)

This estimate is from 2023, already out of date, since AI moves fast. Treat it as a rough, aging starting point, not the current picture.

1.18%

Of Malaysian Claude conversations, about this kind of work

Measures how much people use Claude for this work, not how many Malaysians do this job, and more AI use can mean people relying on it, not that it's replacing them.

Growing role in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not Malaysian. Shown because it's the only forward-looking demand estimate we have for this job.

What beginner adverts asked for

We read 82 internship and fresh-graduate adverts in related fields (August 2026). A small sample from one job site, not every vacancy.

56 of 82 were internships

Allowance or pay, when stated

RM800 – RM2,900

47 of 82 adverts printed an amount: usually between RM800 and RM2,900 a month. Many print none.

Minimum CGPA asked

2.00 to 3.50

Stated in 8 adverts. Others did not state one.

Languages named

Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin

An empty line means the adverts did not say, not that employers have no requirement. Check each employer's own advert before you plan around it.

Related careers

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About this information

This describes what the job involves. Pay, demand and entry routes differ in Malaysia, so check the Pathways and Programmes pages for local requirements.

O*NET occupation: Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Source: Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide · as of Dec 2024

Check the salary figures yourself:Randstad Malaysia 2025 Salary Guide

Job responsibilities, knowledge areas and work context from O*NET 30.3, US Department of Labor, used under CC BY 4.0. onetcenter.org