Senior Principal Research Engineer: AEC Geometric Data - Generative AI

Autodesk • Boston, MA

1d • $169,000 - $302,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Autodesk is leading the transformation of the AEC industry, integrating AI technology into our products. We're enhancing our applications with cloud-native capabilities, including data at scale, edge computing, AI-based solutions, and advanced 3D modeling and graphics. This innovation is happening across our flagship products—AutoCAD, Revit, and Construction Cloud—and Forma, our new Industry Cloud. As a Senior Principal Research Engineer, on the AEC Solutions team, you will join a team of technologists to help build foundation models and generative AI tools for the AEC industry. You will work collaboratively to create and interpret design data that can enhance design and engineering workflows.

Requirements

• MSc or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of experience in Machine Learning, Engineering, or related fields.
• Proven technical leadership, including leading complex projects and influencing technical direction in cross-functional teams.
• Strong experience in geometric data modeling and processing, including complex 2D/3D representations, computational geometry, and data architectures.
• Familiarity with machine learning concepts and frameworks and how data is represented for training.
• Proficiency in Python and strong software engineering practices.
• Ability to translate research ideas into production-grade systems.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence and guide technical decisions.
• Background in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC).

Nice To Haves

• Experience with AEC data formats and workflows (e.g., BIM, IFC, CAD, drawing sets).
• Experience with MEP data or systems (e.g., HVAC, electrical, plumbing).
• Experience delivering production ML or data systems.
• Strong foundations in core computer science (algorithms, systems, scalability).
• Understanding of deep learning architectures (CNNs, Transformers) and familiarity with frameworks such as PyTorch.
• Experience building scalable data or ML pipelines in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, SageMaker).
• Experience mentoring senior engineers or leading small technical teams.
• Track record of driving technical innovation and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate with other engineers to develop scalable data pipelines for diverse AEC data sources used in production ML systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance on complex data engineering challenges.
• Work with large-scale, multi-modal datasets including text and geometric data, to design novel preprocessing, augmentation, analysis and content understanding.
• Transform unstructured AEC data into representations suitable for machine learning.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with ML Research Scientists and Engineers to align data formats with downstream training and fine-tuning of LLMs.
• Apply deduplication, normalization, and validation techniques to ensure high-quality data in production environments.
• Architect and optimize pipelines for scalability, reproducibility, and cloud deployment.
• Drive technical decision-making and influence engineering best practices across the team.
• Perform requirements analysis with senior stakeholders, ensuring technical solutions meet both immediate project goals and long-term research objectives.
• Lead initiatives to communicate findings through quantitative analysis, visuals, and clear insights.
• Contribute to agile workflows, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to evolving project needs.
• Participate in technical planning and roadmap development.

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 is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package.
• In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior