Senior Director of User Experience Design for AEC Tools Job at Autodesk in San F

Job Requisition ID #

26WD95256

Position Overview

Autodesk is seeking a visionary Senior Director of User Experience Design for our Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Design Tools within the Experience Foundations organization. In this pivotal role, you will drive the user experience across Autodesk's premier AEC design tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Forma Design, impacting how architects, engineers, and other users approach their design tasks.

This is a high-impact executive role that reports to the VP of Experience Foundations and is integral to the AEC Experience Foundations leadership team. You will oversee a global team of over 70 designers, working collaboratively with researchers, content designers, and operations across North America, EMEA, and APAC. You will also partner closely with Product, Engineering, AI/ML, and Business leaders to shape the future trajectory of Autodesk's AEC platform.

Your leadership will be key in transforming our industry-leading tools into AI-first, proactive, and seamlessly integrated experiences, all aligned with Autodesk's Forma Industry Cloud vision. This role entails enhancing the tools millions currently utilize as well as reimagining the future of AEC design workflows.

Your responsibilities will encompass defining the experience vision, strategy, and operational model for AEC design tools that span various disciplines, workflows, and the complete AEC lifecycle—from initial concept to delivery and operations.

This role offers flexibility to work remotely within North America. For those preferring in-office or hybrid arrangements, the role can be situated in San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Boston, MA; or Toronto, ON.

Travel requirements are approximately 20%.

Key Responsibilities

Vision & Strategy

• Develop a multi-year user experience design vision for Autodesk's AEC design tools, informed by real customer workflows and outcomes.

• Guide the transition towards AI-first, agentic experiences that redefine AEC design tools, moving beyond feature-centric software to intelligent, proactive, and integrated systems.

• Establish a clear vision for tool unification, modernization, and cohesive user experiences across all products and platforms.

• Collaborate with executive leadership to align experience strategy with Autodesk's Forma Industry Cloud and broader AEC business objectives.

AI-First & Agentic Experiences

• Lead the transformation of AEC design tools into agent-powered experiences that encompass copilots, assistants, automation, and proactive workflows.

• Collaborate with AI/ML teams to embed emerging agentic frameworks into practical AEC workflows.

• Maintain trustworthiness, transparency, and a human-centered focus as autonomy within tools increases.

Design Systems, Platforms & Foundation

• Promote experience consistency and scalability through robust design systems, shared design patterns, and foundational UX capabilities.

• Ensure AEC design tools function cohesively as part of an integrated ecosystem across desktop, cloud, and connected services platforms.

• Balance innovation with design quality, usability, performance, and technological constraints in complex, established products.

Leadership & Organizational Excellence

• Build, inspire, and lead a high-performing global team of user experience designers, researchers, and design leaders.

• Mentor senior design managers, establishing clear charters, expectations, and pathways for advancement.

• Cultivate a culture rooted in customer empathy, experimentation, quality, and accountability across the organization.

• Ensure operational excellence through clear prioritization, cohesive team structures, and effective execution rhythms.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Influence

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders across Product, Engineering, and Data Science teams.

• Relentlessly advocate for customer-centered decision-making while balancing business needs and technical possibilities.

• Represent user experience design in executive discussions and strategic planning initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in user experience, product design, or experience design, including 5+ years in leadership roles overseeing large, complex teams or portfolios.

• Proven ability to lead design at scale across intricate, multi-product ecosystems.

• Demonstrated success in navigating large-scale experience unifications and modernization efforts.

• Experience in developing AI-assisted or agentic product experiences.

• Extensive knowledge in human-centered design, research methodologies, design systems, and design operations.

• Strong executive communication skills with the ability to translate complexity and influence at all organizational levels.

• Experience working within collaborative Agile/Scrum environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in interaction design, human-computer interaction, or a relevant field.

• Expertise in designing professional tools for AEC industries, CAD modeling, or other highly technical enterprise domains.

• Experience designing multi-platform ecosystems, including desktop, cloud, and services.

• Familiarity with Autodesk products or similar design and engineering software.

• A passion for AI-driven transformations that empower designers, engineers, and builders.

About Autodesk

Welcome to Autodesk! Every day, amazing creations are brought to life using our software—everything from the most environmentally friendly buildings to cutting-edge cars, intelligent factories, and blockbuster movies. We empower innovators to turn their visions into reality, reshaping not only production processes but also the possibilities of what can be created.

We take immense pride in our culture at Autodesk, which serves as the foundation for our work and the way we treat one another. Our culture shapes our customer engagements and partnerships, defined in how we present ourselves to the world.

As part of the Autodesk team, your work will have a meaningful impact on building a better world designed for everyone. Ready to influence the world and further your own future? Join us!

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and financial benefits, time off, and wellness initiatives to support Autodeskers in performing their best work.

Salary Transparency

Salary is an integral part of Autodesk's competitive compensation package. For roles based in the U.S., we anticipate a starting base salary range of $213,000 to $381,150. Our offers are based on individual experience and geographic location and may exceed this range. In addition to base salaries, our remuneration may include annual cash bonuses, sales commissions for relevant roles, stock grants, and an extensive benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At Autodesk, we are committed to fostering a diverse workplace and inclusive culture that enables more individuals to imagine, design, and create a better world. Autodesk is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We also consider all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, in accordance with applicable laws.

Diversity & Belonging

We take pride in nurturing a culture of belonging where every individual can thrive.

Note for Current Contractors or Consultants

If you are an existing contractor or consultant with Autodesk, please search for open positions and apply internally, rather than through this external site.