Principal Experience Researcher

Autodesk Autodesk · Enterprise · Oslo, Norway

This role focuses on user experience research to inform product strategy and development for Autodesk Forma, a cloud platform for the AEC industry. The Principal Experience Researcher will lead research programs, synthesize insights, and influence cross-functional teams to deliver user-centered solutions. While the role mentions leveraging AI-powered approaches and experimenting with emerging methodologies, its core function is product research and strategy, not direct AI/ML model development.

What you'd actually do

  1. Lead strategic partnerships with product, data, and experience leaders to shape product vision, design direction, and key business decisions.
  2. Define and drive mixed-methods research programs aligned to core business objectives, supporting the full product lifecycle—from early strategy and discovery through post-release evaluation and optimization.
  3. Design, conduct, and oversee complex qualitative and quantitative research using advanced empirical and statistical methods.
  4. Synthesize and integrate insights from research, analytics, and business data into clear, actionable recommendations that influence strategy and execution.
  5. Lead cross-disciplinary teams in translating insights into future experience principles, end-to-end user journeys, and actionable implementation roadmaps.

Skills

Required

  • 8+ years of professional experience conducting and leading user experience research in complex product environments.
  • Proven ability to analyze and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable, and strategic insights.
  • Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships and influence decisions across product, design, data, and engineering teams at multiple levels of the organization.
  • Experience collaborating with product analytics and growth functions to define, measure, and refine data-informed strategies.
  • A strong, current toolkit of qualitative and quantitative research methods and tools—including AI-powered approaches—and the judgment to select and adapt methods for complex and ambiguous problem spaces.
  • Comfort experimenting with, adopting, and teaching emerging research methodologies, particularly those leveraging AI and automation.
  • Deep knowledge of human-centered design principles and their application across the end-to-end product development lifecycle.
  • Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills, with a holistic and structured approach to complex problem solving.

Nice to have

  • Experience conducting research within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry or adjacent complex domains.
  • Experience working with early-stage products to define and validate product–market fit.
  • Experience working with data scientists to combine behavioral, attitudinal, and usage data into cohesive, insight-driven narratives.
  • Experience with journey mapping and leveraging end-to-end user journeys to inform and drive experience strategy.
  • Familiarity with longitudinal research approaches, such as diary studies, and co-creation or participatory research techniques.
  • Experience facilitating workshops and working sessions with cross-functional partners and customers to drive alignment and decision-making.
  • Demonstrated strength in communication and storytelling, with the ability to build credibility, trust, and influence at multiple organizational levels.
  • Experience iterating on and evolving research practices, processes, and operating models within a research organization.
  • Ability to identify market and product opportunities by connecting research insights to strategic priorities and potential business impact.
  • University degree in a related field such as Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Psychology, or equivalent practical experience.

What the JD emphasized

  • AI-powered approaches
  • emerging research methodologies, particularly those leveraging AI and automation