System Engineer → Infrastructure Architect

A realistic transition from System Engineer to Infrastructure Architect: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 31%. Difficulty: Hard.

Difficulty: Hard7 stepsDuration: 16 to 20 monthsOverlap: 31%

Transition from System Engineer to Infrastructure Architect.

Transferable skills

  • Networking

Skills to learn

  • Storage & compute
  • DR & HA
  • Vendor strategy
  • Cost modelling
  • Security

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your System Engineer experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Networking

    Map transferable skills — Networking — against what an Infrastructure Architect needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Infrastructure Architect

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Infrastructure architecture
    • Hybrid cloud

    Raise Infrastructure architecture, Hybrid cloud to the level an Infrastructure Architect relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Infrastructure Architect role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • DR & HA
    • Storage & compute
    • Vendor strategy

    Technologies

    CiscoF5NSX

    Cover the biggest gaps first: DR & HA, Storage & compute, Vendor strategy.

  4. 4. Master advanced Infrastructure Architect skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Cost modelling
    • Security

    Technologies

    TOGAF

    Handle the advanced topics: Cost modelling, Security.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Infrastructure Architect toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CiscoF5NSXTOGAF

    Be hands-on with Cisco, F5, NSX and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Infrastructure Architect work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Infrastructure Architect tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Infrastructure Architect

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    TOGAFAWS Solutions Architect ProfessionalVMware VCAP-DCV

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Infrastructure Architect, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes