Information & Technology

Under the direction of an IT leader, there are various functional groups that handle day-to-day operations. Some roles focus on system administration, maintenance, and networking. Others manage databases and security or build software and support customers. And the roles in each area can be strategic, tactical, or a mix of both.

Architecture job titles

IT architecture teams determine how IT services, solutions, and infrastructure should be built. IT architects work closely with their peers — software, network, and database practitioners — to oversee all the technologies the business relies upon.

Titles include:

• Cloud infrastructure architect
• Enterprise architect
• IT systems architect
• Solutions architect
• Technical architect

Network and system administration job titles

Network and system administrators are responsible for the organization’s networks. They install, maintain, and support the organization’s computer systems, wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), intranets, individual computers, mobile devices, and more. These roles overlap with other groups depending on the organization’s complexity and needs.

Titles include:

• Computer systems manager
• Network architect
• Systems analyst
• IT coordinator
• Network administrator
• Network engineer
• Service desk analyst
• System administrator (also known as sysadmin)
• Wireless network engineer

Database administration job titles

Database administrators (DBAs) are responsible for organizing, maintaining, and protecting an organization’s data. DBAs also assist other departments by filtering and sorting relevant data that these groups need to access.

Titles include:

• Database administrator
• Database analyst
• Data quality manager
• Database report writer
• SQL database administrator

Business analyst and business intelligence job titles

Business analytics (BA) and business intelligence (BI) groups transform data into insights that support the organization’s strategic objectives. These groups help other areas of the organization access, filter, and analyze information. Practitioners in both groups need to be creative problem-solvers and critical thinkers.

Titles include:

• Big data engineer/architect
• Business intelligence specialist/analyst
• Business systems analyst
• Data analyst
• Data analytics developer
• Data modeling analyst
• Data scientist
• Data warehouse manager
• Data warehouse programming specialist
• Intelligence specialist

Software development, DevOps, and cloud job titles

Developers within IT teams are responsible for creating and deploying software that internal and external customers use. They specialize in programming languages such as Python, Perl, and PHP. And most are well-versed in web services and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Titles include:

• Back-end developer
• Cloud/software architect
• Cloud/software developer
• Cloud/software applications engineer
• Cloud system administrator
• Cloud system engineer
• DevOps engineer
• Front-end developer
• Full-stack developer
• Java developer
• Platform engineer
• Release manager
• Reliability engineer
• Software engineer
• Software quality assurance analyst
• UI (user interface) designer
• UX (user experience) designer
• Web developer

Security job titles

Security practitioners are responsible for protecting the organization’s data from internal and external threats — by securing networks, computers, and mobile devices. Organizations are increasingly hiring a variety of roles to remain secure.

Titles include:

• Application security administrator
• Artificial intelligence security specialist
• Cloud security specialist
• Cybersecurity hardware engineer
• Cyberintelligence specialist
• Cryptographer
• Data privacy officer
• Digital forensics analyst
• IT security engineer
• Information assurance analyst
• Security systems administrator

Help desk and customer support job titles

Help desk and support teams address technical issues and requests. They implement and configure new tools, fix bugs, and help people use IT systems. In some organizations, help desk roles are customer-facing.

Titles include:

• Help desk support specialist
• IT support specialist
• Customer service representative

Project and product management job titles

Many IT teams also include product and project managers who help determine strategy and build the IT roadmap.

Titles include:

• Technical product manager
• Product manager
• Project manager
• Program manager
• Portfolio manager

The titles here represent a slice of IT — roles will differ depending on an organization’s structure and focus. IT leaders and practitioners with the right expertise will face plenty of opportunities for career growth.