Am I a Senior or an Obsolete Architect?

As I am in my late 40ies, I'll be closing my 25th year as an IT engineer this year and my 20th year as an architect.

As I was reflecting on the journey, I wondered: Am I really a Senior or just a Vintage, a Relic?

We often tend to think that a person with considerable years of experience is usually a respected Senior (as a rank and age), but Experience in some careers is viewed as universally positive, but that's not necessarily the case in tech.

In other careers, the craft matures. It becomes less technical and more artistic, and people gain more knowledge while effortlessly getting things done.

Lawyers and doctors are respected when they cross into their 50’s. They are held in high esteem. Tech workers don’t collectively share the same belief.

In our case, the rapid change in technologies and tools, plus the weird label that stuck to us as technology handlers, are making us prone to being obsolete in a few years, if not months.

Anyway, what does Seniority mean?

During my early years, I was convinced that seniority in IT and architecture boiled down to three things:

• Competence,
• Autonomy,
• and Reliability.

Competence was the obvious one—if you’re good at your craft, you’re respected. Autonomy meant you could handle tasks without someone constantly looking over your shoulder, and Reliability was about consistently delivering quality work.

I thought these were the pillars that defined a senior professional. But as I gained experience, I realized seniority is more nuanced.

How Seniority is measured?

But how do companies measure seniority? Is it just the number of years you’ve clocked in, the size of the organization you’ve worked for, or the standards they uphold? Maybe it’s about the technology stack you’ve mastered.

The truth is, there’s no clear answer. Companies often use a mix of these factors, but what really sets senior professionals apart goes beyond technical skills or tenure.

For starters, organisations tend to to say it's about what you’ve accomplished. Have you led critical projects to success? Have you made a tangible impact on the company’s goals? Did you deliver before time?

Then there’s the speed at which you respond, how quickly you respond, and whether you provide effective solutions when problems arise, which demonstrate your experience under pressure.

And speaking of pressure, there's also your ability to handle pressure is another key factor. Seniority often means being the go-to person when the heat is on, someone who can maintain composure and guide the team through tough situations.

But is it really that ?

What I think about Seniority?

Survival is the default mode to be/stay a Senior

Seniority is about more than experience and performance. Seniority assumes that you are a Survivor who copes well with difficulties and works with grace.

It’s about continuous personal development—growing not just as a technologist but also as a leader, a mentor, and a human being.

It’s the commitment to lifelong learning, knowing that the tech landscape evolves continuously.

It’s the frequent self-questioning, wondering if you’ve truly mastered your craft or if you are becoming obsolete.

And Ultimately, It’s about preserving your mental health in an industry that demands relentless energy and often pushes you to the brink of exhaustion especially when you add to that your personal responsibilities.

"No matter your seniority, learn like a junior."

-- Maruffi

But what really defines the Seniority of an Architect?

- How do you steer focus?
- how do you establish the pace?
- how do you preserve integrity & self-awareness?
- how to be a good respected role model?
- how do you take responsibility?
- how do you empower critical and lateral thinking?

But in fact, seniority is more about the intangible qualities that are hidden between the lines of a resume. Some call them Soft Skills, others Leadership or personality traits.

It’s about how you steer focus—not just for yourself but for your team. It's about removing distractions and shifting priorities. A senior professional knows how to keep everyone aligned on what truly matters, cutting through the noise and simplifying complexities to drive results.

As a maestro, it's about how you establish the tempo. The pace at which you work sets the rhythm for those around you. Are you a micromanager? are you pushing hard when it’s needed and easing off when it’s time to reflect? How far are you balancing urgency with patience?

Additionally, Integrity and self-awareness are equally crucial. Senior professionals are usually the moral compass of their peers, holding themselves and others to high ethical/technical standards. They are able to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, not just as technical experts but as human beings. This self-awareness fosters trust, making you a respected role model who leads by example, rather than just by title.

Furthermore, seniority involves empowering critical and lateral thinking. It’s not just about solving problems but also about encouraging others to approach challenges from different angles.

As a senior, you’re expected to nurture an environment where innovative ideas flourish, and where questioning the status quo is not only accepted but encouraged. This involves mentoring others, sharing your knowledge generously, and praising a culture of continuous learning.

How to not get trapped as a Vintage Architect?

Being “vintage” in the tech world is a bit like being an antique—old, yet still cool if you play your cards right.

It’s about having seasoned experience, but the cultural gap between older tech workers and their younger teams can be significant. Where one person is busy juggling family life, the other might be planning a weekend hicking in the nature. These differences in life stages often translate into different behaviors, interests, and ways of approaching work.

Some older employees struggle to adapt, showing rigidity in the face of change and stubbornness when confronted with new ideas or technologies.

Instead of leveraging their experience to guide and mentor, they resist the very innovations that could keep them relevant. This resistance can lead to isolation within teams that thrive on collaboration and flexibility.

To avoid getting trapped as a obsolete vintage architect:

• Stay adaptable and curious.
• Embrace continuous learning by exploring new technologies, frameworks, and methodologies.
• Engage with your younger colleagues, and be open to their perspectives, this keeps you connected and relevant.
• Be patient!
• Don’t shy away from change, even if it feels uncomfortable.
• Finally, focus on mentoring and sharing your knowledge while being receptive to new ideas. This balance between experience and adaptability will keep you in the game.

Final Thoughts

In essence, seniority isn’t just a title or a reflection of years spent in the industry. It’s about the wisdom you’ve accumulated, how you use it to guide others, and how you cultivate an environment where both the individual and the team can thrive.

It’s not just about being technically brilliant, but also about leading with integrity and the ability to influence without authority.

Seniority isn’t just about what you know or how well you perform; it’s about enduring the journey, staying resilient, and never losing sight of your passion and purpose despite the challenges.

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