Senior Principal Machine Learning Engineer

Senior Principal Machine Learning Engineer – Generative AI

Autodesk is driving innovation in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry by embedding advanced AI into our next-generation cloud-native platforms. Across industry-defining products like AutoCAD, Revit, Construction Cloud, and Forma, we are harnessing generative AI and foundation models to transform how professionals design, build, and shape the world.

As a Senior Principal Machine Learning Engineer on the AEC Solutions team, you will serve as a strategic technical leader guiding the architecture, implementation, and scaling of Autodesk's generative AI initiatives. This role is pivotal in shaping our AI strategy—bridging cutting-edge research with engineering execution to create impactful, production-grade capabilities. You'll work across organizations to define roadmaps, architect solutions, mentor engineering talent, and influence product direction at scale.

You will report to the Machine Learning Manager within the AEC Solutions organization.

Location

We support remote and hybrid work. Candidates near Boston, MA or Toronto, Canada are preferred for occasional in-person collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic technical vision for Autodesk's generative AI capabilities in the AEC domain, influencing both short-term priorities and long-term investments.

• Architect and guide the development of scalable ML systems and infrastructure supporting multimodal data (text, 2D/3D geometry, structured data).

• Lead complex, cross-functional AI/ML initiatives across product, research, and engineering organizations—from problem definition through model deployment and iteration.

• Translate evolving research in LLMs, diffusion models, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) into practical, scalable, and responsible production solutions.

• Champion engineering excellence in ML systems, including reproducibility, automation, deployment tooling, model monitoring, and performance optimization.

• Influence Autodesk's AI/ML roadmap by identifying opportunities where generative AI unlocks new value for AEC customers.

• Act as a technical advisor and thought leader across teams, contributing to architectural reviews, strategic planning, and product decisions.

• Mentor and coach senior engineers and technical leads, cultivating a culture of innovation, high standards, and continuous learning.

• Communicate complex technical topics clearly and persuasively to senior leadership, cross-functional stakeholders, and executive audiences.

• Evaluate and integrate external tools, platforms, and technologies that accelerate Autodesk's AI/ML capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, or a related field.

• 12+ years of experience in machine learning engineering, with 5+ years in senior technical leadership roles.

• Demonstrated experience leading strategic, high-impact AI/ML initiatives in production environments at scale.

• Expertise in modern ML architectures (Transformers, diffusion models, CNNs, GANs) and frameworks (PyTorch, Lightning, Ray).

• Proven success deploying generative AI solutions, including LLM fine-tuning, RAG pipelines, or multi-modal modeling.

• Strong proficiency with cloud-based ML infrastructure (AWS, SageMaker, Docker, Kubernetes) and distributed computing.

• Deep understanding of 2D/3D geometric data and large-scale data processing pipelines.

• Exceptional communication and cross-functional collaboration skills, with a track record of influencing across organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Domain experience in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC), or deep understanding of AEC workflows and data types.

• Familiarity with Autodesk products and ecosystems (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, BIM workflows).

• Prior experience mentoring and developing senior technical talent and shaping team culture.

• Experience with ethical AI, model governance, and responsible deployment practices.

• Knowledge of data orchestration frameworks (e.g., Spark, MLFlow, Airflow) and scalable experimentation platforms.

Ideal Candidate

You are a visionary technical leader and a hands-on engineer. You thrive in complex, fast-paced environments where strategy and execution intersect. You bring clarity to ambiguity, inspire cross-functional teams, and consistently drive results. You're not only passionate about AI, but about applying it in ways that unlock transformative value for industries that shape the built world. You're excited to leave a lasting impact on Autodesk's AI ecosystem—and on the future of design and construction.