A difficult environment to grow long-term - Senior Software Engineer Autodesk Employee Review

1.0
Dec 14, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Support WFH. 2. Comparatively flexible working hours. This works well for collaboration within similar time zones, but can be challenging for team members across large time differences, which often resulting in early and/or late meetings. 3. Generally manageable pace compared to more aggressive tech environments. 4. Compensation is around the market low-to-mid range, but RSU incentives can be meaningful for long-term employees. If you are confident you will stay beyond 3–4 years, periodic RSU vesting can add up over time, though this has reduced since layoffs began. 5. Opportunity to work on complex products, if that’s what you are looking for.

Cons

1. Middle management issues Middle management tends to manage up, not down. Project direction is expected to align with leadership, and challenging it often leads to repeated pushback. When things go well, credit moves upward. When things do not, responsibility moves downward. 2. Career development feels mostly performative Annual reviews and goal setting happen regularly, but follow up is minimal. Most 1:1s focus on project updates rather than growth or long-term development. Career support largely depends on how much an employee pushes for it themselves. 3. Credit competition within the same function Despite strong messaging around collaboration, some peers focus more on visibility than teamwork. Shared work can turn into individual recognition opportunities, and it is not uncommon for people to take over presentations to leadership. Raising these concerns rarely leads to meaningful outcomes. 4. Internal politics and factionalism Internal politics play a significant role in day-to-day work. There is noticeable tension between long-time Autodesk employees and teams from acquired companies. Resources and opportunities often favor those aligned with current leadership, which negatively impacts fairness and morale.

Explore other reviews about Autodesk

5.0
Jun 1, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good WLB Low Turnover Rates Interesting Projects/Work Full Benefits + 401k

Cons

Medium Pay, Not Amazing Stock Packages

2.0
Jun 12, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The individual contributors, your peers you work with day in and day out are fantastic people! At the IC level, for the most part, it feels like everyone is in the fight together. The work/life balance is good depending on which business unit/team you're aligned with. The benefits are pretty solid, especially the 6 week sabbatical.

Cons

Autodesk moves at the pace of a snail, very slow to take action on anything. Selling is very difficult with all the undocumented approvals, processes, red tape and very few people are willing to actually help! Leadership doesn't care about the people their decisions impact. Feedback is rarely listened to and acted upon. Pay is terrible compared to competitors in this space. Autodesk has embraced a ton of change over the last few years with new marketing, sales and IT leadership and it shows. They are not shy in showing their desire to be the next Oracle at the expense of their people. They are constantly changing tools, processes, people, roles, you name it so you feel like you're under water constantly. Lipstick on a pig.

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