Principal Software Engineer

Principal Software Engineer

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Autodesk

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our AI Platform team to shape innovative AI products and architecture.
  • Company: Autodesk, a leader in tech innovation with a focus on AI transformation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, stock options, and comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Join a diverse culture where your ideas can thrive and grow.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of AI technology and drive impactful projects.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in software development with expertise in cloud applications and AI/ML.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Autodesk is on a mission to transform its offerings by introducing AI Platform. We are seeking a forward‑thinking Principal Software Engineer to join our dynamic AI Platform engineering team. If you're driven by passion and innovation, this is your chance to shape the evolution of AI products at Autodesk.

Responsibilities

  • Be involved in defining AI‑first architecture and development practices across the experience layer.
  • Deliver agentic orchestration, context retention across sessions, and composable capability invocation.
  • Actively contribute to the trust models (human‑in‑the‑loop, review gates, confidence signaling).
  • Champion AI‑assisted engineering practices to increase velocity, quality, and experimentation speed.
  • Contribute into architecture and delivery of the AI Platform experience stack: agentic interfaces, workflow editor, project memory, and dynamic UI surfaces.
  • Ensure a cohesive, modern, AI‑native experience built across cross‑product and cross‑industry workflows.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a proactive problem‑solver who thrives on tackling green‑field projects and brings a deep well of domain expertise. You'll play a crucial role in steering our high‑performing team. Join us and drive the next wave of innovation at Autodesk.

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of professional experience in software development.
  • BS or MS in Computer Science or related technical field.
  • Experience designing and developing web/cloud applications.
  • Experience with Continuous Integration, Continuous Delivery, DevOps, etc.
  • Proven experience delivering modern, cloud‑native platform capabilities at scale.
  • Architectural expertise in distributed systems, APIs, composable services, and modern frontend architectures.
  • Demonstrated experience building AI/ML‑powered user experiences (LLMs, agents, orchestration, RAG systems, or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with User Interface / User Experience Design process.
  • Experience with AI‑first or agentic platform initiatives.
  • Experience building dynamic or generative UI systems.
  • Familiarity with MCP‑style integration models or composable tool architectures.

Benefits

Salary is one part of Autodesk’s competitive compensation package. Offers are based on the candidate’s experience and geographic location. In addition to base salaries, our compensation package may include annual cash bonuses, commissions for sales roles, stock grants, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Diversity & Belonging

We take pride in cultivating a culture of belonging where everyone can thrive.

Principal Software Engineer employer: Autodesk

At Autodesk, we are committed to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, making us an exceptional employer for a Principal Software Engineer. Our dynamic AI Platform engineering team offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of AI products, while our comprehensive benefits package and focus on diversity and belonging ensure that every employee can thrive and grow in their career. Join us in a vibrant environment where your expertise will drive meaningful change and innovation.

Autodesk

Contact Details:

Autodesk Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with current Autodesk employees on LinkedIn. A personal introduction can make all the difference when you're applying for that Principal Software Engineer role.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your projects, especially those related to AI and cloud applications. This gives you a chance to demonstrate your expertise beyond just a CV.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on AI-first architecture and modern frontend practices. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled green-field projects and contributed to high-performing teams in the past.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Autodesk team.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer

AI Platform Development
Software Development
Web/Cloud Application Design
Continuous Integration
Continuous Delivery
DevOps
Architectural Expertise in Distributed Systems

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Software Engineer role. Highlight your expertise in AI, cloud applications, and any relevant projects you've tackled. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for AI and innovation, and explain why you're excited about joining Autodesk. Let us know how your background makes you the perfect fit for our dynamic team.

Showcase Your Projects:If you've worked on any green-field projects or AI/ML-powered user experiences, make sure to mention them! We love seeing real examples of your work, so include links or descriptions that demonstrate your capabilities.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Autodesk

Know Your AI Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of AI and machine learning concepts. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, especially in building user experiences or cloud-native platforms. This will show that you're not just familiar with the tech but can also leverage it effectively.

Showcase Your Architectural Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience with distributed systems and modern frontend architectures. Have specific examples ready that demonstrate your ability to design and implement scalable solutions. This is crucial for a role focused on defining AI-first architecture.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since this role involves working within a high-performing team, be prepared to discuss how you’ve collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have with cross-product workflows and how you’ve contributed to team success in dynamic environments.

Ask Insightful Questions

Come equipped with thoughtful questions about Autodesk's AI initiatives and the team’s goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values, especially regarding innovation and collaboration.