Distinguished Architect, AEC

Autodesk; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 207,000 - 336,000; Full time

Job summary

Autodesk is seeking an experienced software architect to lead the architectural transformation across the AEC portfolio, reporting to the Vice President, Chief Architect, AEC. This is a senior, architecture-focused leadership role within our software teams.

The role emphasizes data storage and management, scalable computation, AI integration, and driving secure, reliable, and high-performance cloud software across buildings, transportation, and water domains. Travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, or equivalent experience.
• 15+ years of experience in software architecture, with 10+ years in cloud software.
• A track record of delivering cloud software, spanning products and industries.
• Accountable without the need for deadlines or daily oversight.
• A track record of delivering work that spans products and industries.
• Sought out by other teams, leaders, and customers for their expertise.
• Recognized for innovative work, such as via patents and publications.
• An understanding of software architecture practice.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and communicate a technical vision encompassing data storage and management, scalable and distributed computation, and the application of AI technologies while devising pragmatic, incremental plans towards this vision
• Define and evolve the components, relationships, and governing principles that define the architecture of our systems
• Coordinate system-level design across multiple product domains, including buildings, transportation, and water
• Establish standards and practices for software design; define views, diagrams, and other formalisms used to explore and articulate designs
• Maintain responsibility for your work through implementation, deployment, and ongoing operation
• Help facilitate the architecture council, including setting agendas, backlog prioritization, and communication
• Explain technical topics to varied audiences, including executive leadership
• Maintain one-on-one relationships with all senior architects within AEC and, where appropriate, peers in other divisions
• Apply your architectural and system knowledge, as well as data, to influence strategy, planning, and execution
• Drive efforts to build secure systems that respect privacy while meeting reliability, performance, and other operational goals
• Write and speak internally on your work, with an option for external communications
• Travel at least six times per year to attend internal conferences and forums, and to meet with geographically distributed development teams
• Maintain and apply expert-level, up-to-date knowledge of relevant architectural patterns and technologies
• Work with peers throughout Autodesk to understand our technology landscape and challenges, articulate opportunities, and evangelize change
• Lead re-use of platform capabilities and drive contributions to the Autodesk platform
• Drive improvements to Autodesk architectural standards, documentation, and process
• Play a leading role in Autodesk technical conferences and forums
• Lead or participate in company-wide technical working groups
• Share your knowledge and experience, including through mentoring

Skills

Software architecture

Cloud software

Executive communication

Leadership

Architectural standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science

Advanced degree in computer science

Job description

Autodesk is transforming how the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry works by helping our customers focus on sustainability, adopt outcome-based design, create digital twins, and more. We’re rebuilding our applications with cloud-native capabilities including data at scale, edge computing, AI-based solutions, and cutting-edge 3D modeling and graphics. And we’re doing this in our flagship products—including AutoCAD, Revit, and Construction Cloud—as well as Forma, our new Industry Cloud.

Working for the AEC VP of Software Architecture and as one of the most senior members of Autodesk’s software architecture team, you will be responsible for coordinating this architectural transformation across the AEC software portfolio. Through this work, you’ll be helping the AEC industry create a better, more sustainable world. You will report to the Vice President, Chief Architect, AEC.

Preference for candidates in Washington or California to work hybrid/remote. Additional preference for candidates in Vancouver, Canada.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize and communicate a technical vision encompassing data storage and management, scalable and distributed computation, and the application of AI technologies while devising pragmatic, incremental plans towards this vision

• Define and evolve the components, relationships, and governing principles that define the architecture of our systems

• Coordinate system-level design across multiple product domains, including buildings, transportation, and water

• Establish standards and practices for software design; define views, diagrams, and other formalisms used to explore and articulate designs

• Maintain responsibility for your work through implementation, deployment, and ongoing operation

• Help facilitate the architecture council, including setting agendas, backlog prioritization, and communication

• Explain technical topics to varied audiences, including executive leadership

• Maintain one-on-one relationships with all senior architects within AEC and, where appropriate, peers in other divisions

• Apply your architectural and system knowledge, as well as data, to influence strategy, planning, and execution

• Drive efforts to build secure systems that respect privacy while meeting reliability, performance, and other operational goals

• Write and speak internally on your work, with an option for external communications

• Travel at least six times per year to attend internal conferences and forums, and to meet with geographically distributed development teams

• Maintain and apply expert-level, up-to-date knowledge of relevant architectural patterns and technologies

• Work with peers throughout Autodesk to understand our technology landscape and challenges, articulate opportunities, and evangelize change

• Lead re-use of platform capabilities and drive contributions to the Autodesk platform

• Drive improvements to Autodesk architectural standards, documentation, and process

• Play a leading role in Autodesk technical conferences and forums

• Lead or participate in company-wide technical working groups

• Share your knowledge and experience, including through mentoring

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, or equivalent experience

• 15+ years of experience in software architecture, with 10+ years in cloud software

• A track record of delivering cloud software, spanning products and industries

• Accountable without the need for deadlines or daily oversight

• A track record of delivering work that spans products and industries

• Sought out by other teams, leaders, and customers for their expertise

• Recognized for innovative work, such as via patents and publications

• An understanding of software architecture practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry

• An advanced degree in computer science

• While this role will not carry direct reports, prefer experience leading or managing an architecture team or council

• An industry expert in and contributor to software architecture practice

Learn More

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 – our Culture Code is at the core of everything we do. Our values and ways of working help our people thrive and realize their potential, which leads to even better outcomes for our customers.

When you’re an Autodesker, you can be your whole, authentic self and do meaningful work that helps build a better future for all. Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us!

Benefits

From health and financial benefits to time away and everyday wellness, we give Autodeskers the best, so they can do their best work. Learn more about our benefits in the U.S. by visiting https://benefits.autodesk.com/

Salary transparency

Salary is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package. For U.S.-based roles, we expect a starting base salary between $207,400 and $335,500. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience and geographic location, and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, we also have a significant emphasis on annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Autodesk, we're building a diverse workplace and an inclusive culture to give more people the chance to imagine, design, and make a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider for employment all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

Diversity & Belonging

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