60+ of the most common IT job titles and roles
Last updated: September 2023
"IT manager job" gets 1,900 Google searches per month. "Software engineering job" gets 12,100. The job search is on and IT experts are in high demand across all industries. It makes sense why — a well-organized IT team is critical to business success. You provide the services, software, and resources that fuel the organization.
If you are just getting started in IT, it can be tricky to discern the differences among the various IT job titles. Some roles are more strategic, while others are tactical. Many teams are also hiring technical product managers to help IT align its work with the company's business objectives.
Set up an IT workspace in Aha! Roadmaps. Sign up for a free 30-day trial.
Every organization is different — some IT teams are organized by the service they provide while others are organized by expertise, like network architecture, systems operations, and development.
We have organized IT titles by functional area below, separated by leadership and practitioner roles. Keep in mind that many of these areas overlap so roles may not be exclusive to one group only.
IT leaders
Leaders in IT careers are responsible for overseeing functional areas of the IT department. These senior-level IT roles set strategy and oversee the organization's IT infrastructure. Some smaller organizations generally refer to these folks as IT managers. IT leaders also hire and train IT teammates.
Titles include:
Chief information security officer (CISO)/Chief security officer (CSO)
IT director
IT practitioners
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
Reliability engineer
Software engineer
Software quality assurance analyst
UI (user interface) 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:
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.
Full list of common information technology roles and job titles
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 administrator
Database analyst
Data quality manager
Database report writer
SQL database administrator
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
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
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 support specialist
IT support specialist
Customer service representative
Technical product manager
Product manager
Project manager
Program manager
Portfolio manager
IT teams need great technology, too — sign up for a free 30-day trial of Aha! Roadmaps to visualize your strategy, manage ideas, build an IT roadmap, and measure results all in one place.
FAQs about IT job titles and roles
Information technology (IT) includes a wide range of roles essential to the operation and innovation of modern businesses. Some common IT job titles include:
Chief Information Officer: Manages the organization's technology strategy and ensures alignment with business objectives
IT director: Manages the IT department, focusing on policy development and project implementation
Network administrator: Maintains and supports the organization's network infrastructure, ensuring seamless connectivity
Systems analyst: Evaluates and improves computer systems to meet organizational needs
Software developer: Designs and develops software applications tailored to business requirements
Database administrator: Manages and organizes data storage solutions, ensuring data integrity and security
IT support specialist: Provides technical assistance and resolves issues for end users
Read about these job titles (and more) in this section above. And head over to this guide to learn about who makes up an IT team.
Pursuing a career in IT requires a combination of education, practical experience, and continuous learning. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Work toward a degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field to build a strong theoretical base.
Obtain industry-recognized certifications (such as CompTIA's A+, Cisco's CCNA, or Microsoft's MTA) to validate your skills.
Try to engage in internships, part-time roles, or volunteer opportunities to gain hands-on experience with real-world IT challenges.
Connect with IT professionals through industry events, online forums, and local meetups to learn from their experiences and discover job opportunities.
Entry-level positions (such as an IT support specialist or network technician role) can provide a pathway to more advanced roles as you gain experience and expertise. And if you are more interested in learning what it takes to become an IT manager, start here.
Success in IT hinges on a blend of technical and soft skills. Key competencies include:
Technical know-how: Understanding computer systems, networks, and software
Problem-solving: Analyzing issues and finding solutions
Communication: Explaining technical concepts clearly
Adaptability: Keeping up with new technologies
Attention to detail: Preventing small errors from causing big problems
Collaboration: Working effectively across teams
Developing these skills will position you for success in various IT roles. They will also enable you to contribute effectively to your organization's technological objectives.
