Principal Data Analyst

Autodesk, Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 99,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

Autodesk, Inc. is seeking a Principal Data Analyst to partner with Product, Engineering, Strategy, and leadership. You will define success metrics, lead experiments, and build AI-assisted analytical workflows that turn complex data into actionable decisions at scale.

You will shape dashboards, semantic models, and canonical data assets while maintaining rigorous governance and reproducible development practices. A strong SQL/Python foundation and collaboration across teams are essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in large data analysis, BI or related field
• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative discipline required
• Evidence of independent problem shaping and cross-team influence
• Experience with AI-assisted development and analysis tools (e.g., Claude Code, Cursor)

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product and cross-functional teams to identify business problems and opportunities
• Derive actionable insights from large, complex data sets and present findings clearly
• Define product measurement using north-star metrics, KPI/OKR, and instrumentation
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate SQL/Python, automate repetitive work, and create reusable data apps
• Create clear visualizations with Looker/Power BI for stakeholders
• Build canonical datasets, semantic models, and dashboards for self-service analytics
• Mine data to support platform outcomes like performance and engagement
• Partner with Data Eng on data quality, lineage, and scalable pipelines
• Communicate findings as concise decisions; mentor analysts on framing and storytelling

Skills

SQL

Python

AI tools

Data viz

Communication

Cross-functional

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

Master's degree in quantitative field

Tools

Airflow

dbt

Snowflake

Looker

Power BI

Job description

Principal Data Analyst Position Overview

Autodesk has invested in data-driven decision-making, optimizing our platform’s business, product, and cost. The next five years will transform how we work, with a surge in data volume and scaling of AI/ML to provide even greater value to our customers. We are looking for a Principal Data Analyst to serve as a senior individual contributor and trusted thought partner to Product, Engineering, Strategy, Research, and business leaders. You will define how success is measured, uncover high-value opportunities, lead rigorous experimentation, and build trusted analytical products and AI assisted workflows that turn complex data into better decisions at scale. This role combines deep product analytics judgment, strong SQL/Python capability, software engineering discipline, and practical fluency with modern AI tools. You will operate comfortably in ambiguity, influence product direction, and create reusable systems that increase the leverage of teams across the organization. If you are excited about empowering teams and influencing the organization with insights that drive success, this is the role for you!

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with product managers and cross-functional teams to identify, define, and address business problems and opportunities through data analysis


• Use your analytical skills to derive actionable insights from large and complex datasets and communicate findings in a clear and concise manner to technical and non-technical audiences


• Define product measurement across north-star metrics, KPI/OKR frameworks, metric trees, instrumentation, guardrails, and launch measurement for platform initiatives


• Use AI coding and analysis tools to accelerate SQL/Python development, automate repeatable analytical work, prototype lightweight data applications or assistants, and create reusable workflows with appropriate validation, provenance, and human review


• Create clear and impactful data visualizations using tools such as Power BI, Looker, or similar, to communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders across the organization


• Build and evolve canonical datasets, semantic models, metric definitions, dashboards, and self-service experiences that can be reliably consumed by both people and AI systems


• Proactively mine for data drive insights to support PSET's platform outcomes, focusing on performance, user engagement, and overall business impact


• Partner with Data Engineering on data quality, lineage, observability, and scalable pipelines; use version control, testing, code review, and reproducible development practices for high-value analytical assets


• Communicate complex findings as concise decisions and trade-offs for technical and executive audiences; mentor analysts and cross-functional partners on problem framing, experimentation, AI-assisted analytics, and data storytelling

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in large data analysis, business intelligence, or a related field, preferably within a technology or SaaS environment


• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related discipline


• Demonstrated principal/staff level scope: independently shaping ambiguous problems, influencing product roadmaps, and driving decisions across multiple teams


• Hands on experience using AI assisted development and analysis tools (Claude Code, Cursor etc.) to accelerate coding, automate workflows, prototype tools, or extend beyond traditional analyst workflows


• Strong skills in data querying and manipulation with SQL, and proficiency in programming languages like Python or R for data analysis and modeling


• Experience with data warehouse ELT tools (Airflow, dbt, Snowflake)


• Experience with semantic layers, governed metric definitions, and BI/visualization tools such as Looker or Power BI, with a track record of enabling trustworthy self-service analytics


• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capability to work independently on complex datasets and derive actionable insights


• Knowledge of statistical techniques and modeling methodologies to drive in-depth data insights and support predictive analytics


• Strong ability to communicate complex data insights and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders in a clear and accessible manner


• Effective team player with a strong ability to work across functions, engage with diverse stakeholders, and provide data-driven support for strategic initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a SaaS company or a platform engineering organization is preferred


• Familiarity with Autodesk’s product portfolio and its applications in various industries is an advantage


• Experience analyzing AI/ML or agentic products, including evaluation frameworks and quality, task success, latency, reliability, or cost trade-offs


• Experience building lightweight internal data products, analytical applications, or LLM enabled tools connected to governed enterprise data


• Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related discipline

Salary Transparency

For Canada based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $99,000 and $145,200. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Amazing things are created every day with our software - from the greenest buildings and cleanest cars to the smartest factories and biggest hit movies. We help innovators turn their ideas into reality, transforming not only how things are made, but what can be made. We take great pride in our culture here at Autodesk - it’s at the core of everything we do. Our culture guides the way we work and treat each other, informs how we connect with customers and partners, and defines how we show up in the world. When you’re an Autodesker, you can do meaningful work that helps build a better world designed and made for all. Ready to shape the world and your future?

We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive. Learn more here: https://www.autodesk.com/company/global-belonging

This role may require in-person onboarding and/or in-person ID verification.