Overall, A Great Place to Work!
Pros
People, Technology, and People. For a very large company that is full of very talented and intelligent individuals, you will be pleasantly surprised on how most are very helpful and less egoistic. I have an opportunity to work from home, but I always look forward coming to our office and take any opportunities I can, to meet colleagues in person. It seems to be in the DNA of Autodesk to be good to its people and it reflects on how most employees treat each other. Technology - what else can you ask for? Helping our customers MAKE things with a broad range of products in our portfolio. Seeing what customers created using our technology may it be a movie, buildings (I see many just within where I am), and even on kids school projects, make you proud to be a part of this organization. People - This time, I refer to our customers. Our customers are first and foremost the lifeblood of what we are now and what we continue to grow into. Customers who stood by us, work with us, and genuinely wants to see us succeed, is what keeps me motivated and enjoy being part of Autodesk. Oh, by the way, as mentioned by many - Work Life Balance is a big deal at Autodesk. It does not mean that you will not work long hours from time to time. But, when you do, you do not even realize it because you enjoy what you do but also, they make you take a break and they genuinely care that you prioritize your family before work. At least that was my experience.
Cons
It is a big company that is still transforming into its new business model and adjusting to what the market demands. There seems to be a lot of positioning to what is "Hot" and in the process, an opportunity to grow can become challenging. It seems that it ends up promoting unintended competition to be recognized and hopefully, an opportunity for moving up the ladder. The Grade level system means well, but, it seems that moving up internally is more challenging than someone being hired from outside. Someone who have been in the company a bit longer, knows the process, know the people, products, etc. can be in the same grade and pay level as a new hire. Similarly, if there is an opportunity for an internal job opening where you can meet about 80% of the requirements, but you are two grade levels below the req., you cannot apply for that role. Someone outside with unproven track record and maybe meet 90% of the requirements on paper - has a better chance of getting it. I have been in the company for 6 years and I have experienced re-structuring about 4 times. Some are company-wide and some on the organization level within. This is not uncommon for the industry that is changing rapidly. Do not get discouraged by this comment, it only means that you need always strive to learn something new and be prepared for change and find an opportunity when change happens.