Research EngineerAutodesk Research partners with academia, industry, and government to explore the future of design, engineering, and manufacturing. Our teams combine scientific rigor with creative exploration to transform ideas into technologies that empower people to make anything.The Manufacturing Industry Futures team focuses on redefining how things are designed and made using data, automation, and intelligence to unlock the next generation of manufacturing innovation.Autodesk Research is seeking a Research Engineer to help shape the future of manufacturing through hands-on experimentation at the intersection of manufacturing, engineering, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation. Based at the Autodesk Technology Center in Boston, this role will contribute to pioneering research into how AI-enabled workflows, digital twins, robotics, simulation, sensing, and advanced fabrication can come together to redefine how things are made.The Boston Technology Center is evolving into a world-class environment for experimentation and a space where ideas and technologies that may not yet exist in industry are explored, tested, and refined.
The Research Engineer will work directly with researchers, technologists, industry partners, and Technology Center staff to design and build experimental systems that connect digital models, physical processes, real-world data, and intelligent automation.This role is for someone who understands manufacturing and engineering applications deeply and is excited by the opportunity to apply AI in practical, impactful ways. You do not need to be a foundational AI researcher, but you should be curious about how AI can be used to improve manufacturing workflows, accelerate experimentation, support decision-making, and connect design, simulation, production, and feedback from the physical world.If you are inspired by how people design and make anything, and you thrive in a hands-on environment where research meets industry, this role offers the opportunity to help build what comes next.We support hybrid work, and you work in our Boston, Massachusetts office.ResponsibilitiesDesign, build, and run hands-on experiments in the Manufacturing Industry Futures group, with a focus on applied research that advances manufacturing processes, systems, and technologiesDevelop experimental workflows that connect design, simulation, fabrication, sensing, robotics, automation, and real-world production dataApply AI-assisted and agentic workflows to manufacturing and engineering contexts, including areas such as process planning, simulation feedback, anomaly detection, workflow automation, and decision supportBuild integrated software and hardware pipelines for experimentation and physical prototyping, including additive manufacturing, robotic systems, metal fabrication, electronics, sensors, and industrial data systemsEvaluate and test emerging technologies, including AI, robotics, simulation, digital twins, machine perception, and automation in manufacturing contextsCollaborate closely with Boston Technology Center staff, Autodesk Research teams worldwide, and industry and academic partnersContribute to research projects from concept through experimentation, prototyping, testing, and implementationHelp translate research insights into intellectual property, prototypes, tools, and scalable technologies that advance Autodesk's platform and customer capabilitiesWork in a multidisciplinary environment where manufacturing knowledge, engineering judgment, software development, and experimental rigor are all essentialShare findings clearly through prototypes, demonstrations, documentation, presentations, and technical communicationMinimum QualificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing, Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related fieldRelevant industry, research, or applied R&D experienceHands-on experience with manufacturing systems, robotics, automation, sensing, fabrication, or physical prototypingStrong understanding of manufacturing or engineering workflows, including how digital tools are used in design, simulation, production, inspection, or process improvementExperience applying AI, data-driven methods, or automation tools to engineering, manufacturing, or physical systemsFamiliarity with simulation, digital twin, or model-based engineering workflowsExperience working with large datasets, sensor data, machine data, production data, or experimental dataAbility to build and test integrated systems that combine software, hardware, data, and physical processesStrong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across disciplines and with both technical and non-technical stakeholdersA track record of hands-on experimentation and working with emerging technologiesPreferred QualificationsPhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing, Robotics, or a related fieldExperience with AI-assisted workflows, agentic systems, MCP or similar toolchains, or AI-enabled automation in engineering or manufacturing contextsExperience with physics-informed AI, AI for physical systems, or machine learning applied to manufacturing, simulation, robotics, or process optimizationFamiliarity with industrial data systems and communication protocols such as MQTT, MTConnect, OPC UA, or related IoT / industrial networking technologiesExperience with robotics, machine vision, additive manufacturing, CNC, industrial automation, or smart factory systemsExperience developing intellectual property, prototypes, or technology that has transferred from research into industrial or commercial contextsCuriosity for exploring uncharted territory and shaping the future of how products are designed and made