Principal Content Designer - Forma Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Content Designer - Forma Design

Company: Autodesk

Location: Oslo, Norway (with occasional travel to Dublin, Ireland, Denmark, and United Kingdom)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Content Design / User Experience (UX)

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 8+ years (Principal Level)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the creation and execution of exceptional customer experiences through strategic content design for an AI-native industry cloud platform.

• Shape user interfaces, in-product messaging, and learning experiences to enhance user comprehension, adoption, and overall product satisfaction.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product, Design, Engineering, Research, and Data Science to ensure content is seamlessly integrated throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Evolve and apply content design standards, design systems, and best practices to foster coherence and clarity across complex digital product environments.

• Leverage AI tools and methodologies to innovate and scale content creation, governance, and impact across the product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned at a principal level, indicating significant strategic influence and responsibility for shaping content design practices within Autodesk's Forma Design initiative. The emphasis on "AI-native" suggests a need for forward-thinking content strategies that anticipate and integrate emerging AI capabilities into user experiences. The hybrid nature, with significant travel expected, highlights the need for strong remote collaboration skills alongside in-person engagement.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive content strategies for user interface (UI) labels, in-product messaging, in-product learning experiences, customer-facing online help documentation, and tutorials.

• Partner with Product Managers, UX Designers, Researchers, and Engineers to embed content design considerations from the earliest stages of product ideation and development.

• Define and refine content standards, design systems, and best practices, actively identifying and addressing gaps to ensure consistent and comprehensible user journeys.

• Design intuitive, approachable, and personalized learning and onboarding experiences that align with Autodesk's AI-forward product strategy.

• Continuously explore, evaluate, and implement innovative tools and AI-enabled methods to enhance content quality, efficiency, and scalability.

• Develop and implement strategies for scaling content creation and support, including empowering cross-functional partners and leveraging AI for content governance and distributed creation.

• Define key success metrics for content effectiveness and collaborate with teams to measure, analyze, and iterate on content based on user feedback and data insights.

• Capture and analyze project requirements to accurately estimate content development timelines and resources.

• Stay abreast of industry trends in content design and AI, actively sharing knowledge to mature the practice and foster innovation within the team.

• Collaborate with content strategists across various AEC product teams to ensure product-specific nuances are addressed and to maintain cohesion across the broader product ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of hands-on content creation and strategic leadership. The requirement to "evolve those guidelines and best practices" and "develop scaling strategies" points to a need for proactive process improvement and thought leadership, characteristic of a Principal-level role. The focus on AI implies a need to understand and design for emerging AI-driven workflows and user interactions, which is a key differentiator for this position.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Information Design, Journalism, or a related field. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in UX writing, content design, content strategy, product design, service design, conversation design, or a closely related experience design discipline.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience delivering high-quality, in-product content design and strategy for complex digital product environments and/or sophisticated software applications.

• Expertise in distilling complex technical subject matter into clear, concise, and engaging written, visual, or video content.

• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with Product, Design, Engineering, and Research teams to influence product direction and deliver cohesive, integrated user experiences.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and storytelling skills, with a strong ability to articulate design rationale and influence stakeholders at various organizational levels.

• Commitment to customer-centered design principles, iterative development, and evidence-based decision-making.

• Proven track record of thriving in fast-paced environments with rapidly evolving product capabilities, requiring content to maintain pace and relevance.

• Expertise in designing engaging, personalized, and contextual in-product onboarding and learning experiences that advance traditional support models.

• Familiarity with AI tools, agentic systems, and a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and risks associated with designing AI-native user experiences.

• Experience with AI-powered workflows for content governance and distributed content creation.

Preferred Skills:

• Direct experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.

• Deep expertise in conversational UX, content design specifically for AI-driven experiences, and designing guidance for complex workflow navigation.

• A strong passion for applying product design, AI, and content strategy principles to empower designers, makers, and builders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" requirement clearly positions this as a senior or principal role. The emphasis on distilling complex technical information and designing for AI-native experiences suggests a need for candidates who can bridge technical depth with user empathy. The preference for AEC industry experience indicates that candidates with domain knowledge will have a distinct advantage.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A robust portfolio showcasing a range of content design projects, with a strong emphasis on complex digital products and software applications.

• Detailed case studies demonstrating your approach to content strategy, including problem identification, user research, content creation, and iteration.

• Examples of in-product messaging, UI labels, and learning experiences that illustrate your ability to simplify complexity and enhance user comprehension.

• Demonstrations of how you've applied design systems and content standards, or how you've contributed to their evolution.

• Evidence of collaboration with cross-functional teams (Product, Design, Engineering) and how your content contributions impacted product outcomes.

• Case studies that highlight your experience with AI tools, AI-native UX design, or adapting content for AI-driven features.

Process Documentation:

• Case studies should detail your process for defining content requirements, conducting user research, and iterating on content based on feedback and data.

• Demonstrate your methodology for ensuring content consistency and coherence across interconnected user journeys and product ecosystems.

• Showcase your approach to designing scalable content solutions, including any experience with AI-assisted content creation or governance.

• Illustrate your process for integrating content design early and effectively into the product development lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit requirement for "both a resume + portfolio with password" underscores the critical importance of a strong portfolio. The emphasis on AI, complex digital products, and cross-functional collaboration means portfolios should highlight these specific areas. For a Principal role, the portfolio should not just show what was done, but why and how, with clear articulation of strategic thinking and measurable impact.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: While a specific range is not provided, for a Principal Content Designer role in Oslo, Norway, with 8+ years of experience, industry benchmarks suggest a competitive annual salary typically falling between €80,000 - €120,000. This estimate considers the high cost of living in Oslo, the principal level of the role, and the specialized skills in AI-native UX and content strategy required. Autodesk's global compensation philosophy will also influence the final offer.

Benefits:

• Annual Cash Bonuses: Performance-based incentives to reward contributions.

• Commissions: Potentially applicable depending on specific team alignment and responsibilities, though less common for pure design roles.

• Stock Grants: Opportunities to own a part of Autodesk's future success.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other standard employee benefits tailored to the Norwegian market.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically around 40 hours per week, with flexibility often available to accommodate project needs and personal work-life balance, especially given the hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on research of Principal-level UX/Content Design roles in major tech hubs in Norway, factoring in Autodesk's known compensation practices and the complexity of the role. The benefits listed are directly from the provided text, with the understanding that "Commissions" might be more relevant for roles with direct revenue impact, but are included as stated by the company.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Software & Technology, specifically focused on design and make software for Architecture, Engineering, Construction (AEC), and Media & Entertainment industries. Autodesk is a leader in digital transformation for these sectors.

Company Size: Large enterprise (Autodesk is a global company with thousands of employees). This scale offers significant opportunities for impact, collaboration, and career growth, but also requires navigating established processes and structures.

Founded: 1982. Autodesk has a long history and deep expertise in its core markets, now navigating a significant shift towards cloud-based, AI-native solutions.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the "Experience Foundations team" for AEC, a critical part of Autodesk's strategy.

• This team is responsible for designing the AI-native industry cloud for AEC.

• The Principal Content Designer reports to a Senior Manager of Content Strategy.

Methodology:

• Focus on AI-native design: Building experiences that leverage Artificial Intelligence as a core component.

• Data-driven decision-making: Utilizing research, analytics, and metrics to inform content and product design.

• Customer-centered approach: Prioritizing user needs and experiences in all design decisions.

• Iterative development: Continuously refining products and content based on feedback and performance.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Working in integrated teams to achieve shared goals.

Company Website: https://www.autodesk.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's long history combined with its current focus on AI and cloud transformation presents a dynamic environment. The "Experience Foundations" team's role in building an "AI-native industry cloud" suggests a strategic, forward-looking initiative where this role will have significant influence.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Content Designer. This level signifies a senior individual contributor with deep expertise, strategic influence, and the ability to mentor others. It implies ownership of significant product areas or strategic initiatives. The role is expected to shape the direction of content design practices, not just execute tasks.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to a Senior Manager of Content Strategy, indicating a clear hierarchy within the content design function. This structure provides mentorship and strategic guidance while allowing for significant autonomy in project execution. The Principal designer will likely work closely with other principal-level designers and managers across product teams.

Operations Impact: The content designer's impact is crucial for driving user adoption, understanding, and satisfaction with Autodesk's complex AEC software. By creating clear, intuitive, and AI-enhanced experiences, this role directly influences customer success, reduces support costs, and contributes to the overall value proposition of Autodesk's platform. The focus on AI-native design means this role is at the forefront of shaping how users interact with future AEC technology.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI-native UX, conversational design, or AEC industry-specific content challenges.

• Leadership: Transition into management roles (e.g., Senior Manager of Content Strategy) or take on lead roles for major product initiatives.

• Strategic Influence: Contribute to the broader content strategy and design system evolution across Autodesk's AEC portfolio.

• Mentorship: Guide and mentor junior content designers and UX writers.

• Industry Recognition: Contribute to thought leadership through internal knowledge sharing or external presentations/publications.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title is key here, suggesting a career path that involves strategic impact and potential leadership. The growth opportunities are framed around deepening expertise in emerging areas like AI and expanding influence within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid. The role is based in Oslo, Norway, with an expectation of occasional travel to other listed locations (Dublin, Denmark, UK). This suggests a blend of remote work flexibility and in-office collaboration.

Office Location(s): Oslo, Norway (Tjuvholmen Alle). Mention of Dublin, Ireland, Denmark, and United Kingdom implies these are either potential alternative work locations or hubs for collaboration/meetings.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative environment: Encourages close partnership with Product, Design, Engineering, and Research teams.

• Technology-rich: Likely equipped with modern tools and platforms necessary for design, content creation, and collaboration.

• Global reach: Opportunities to interact with diverse teams and stakeholders across different regions.

• Focus on innovation: Working within a team dedicated to cutting-edge AI-native solutions for the AEC industry.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (approx. 40 hours/week) with potential for flexibility. The hybrid nature allows for a balance between focused individual work and collaborative team sessions, whether in-person or virtual.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature combined with required travel indicates a need for adaptability and strong communication skills across different work settings. The specific mention of office locations suggests these are key hubs for Autodesk's operations in the EMEA region.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess experience, skills, and fit for the Principal level.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion about career background, motivations, and high-level understanding of content strategy and AI-native design.

• Portfolio Presentation: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, detailing case studies, design process, and impact. This is a critical step for a Principal role.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with Product Managers, Designers, Engineers, and potentially Researchers to assess collaboration style, technical understanding, and problem-solving abilities.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss strategic vision and cultural alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best showcase your experience with complex digital products, AI-native design, and strategic content thinking. Prioritize projects that demonstrate problem-solving and measurable results.

• Tell a compelling story: For each case study, clearly articulate the problem, your role and approach, the challenges faced, the solutions you designed (with specific content examples), and the outcomes achieved (quantified where possible).

• Highlight AI expertise: If you have experience with AI tools, AI-native UX, or AI-driven content workflows, ensure these are prominent in your portfolio. Explain your understanding of AI's opportunities and risks in design.

• Showcase collaboration: Demonstrate how you partnered with other disciplines and influenced product direction through content.

• Provide password access: Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible via a secure link and password.

• Prepare for questions: Be ready to discuss your design rationale, trade-offs made, and how you would approach challenges specific to Autodesk's AEC products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: Be prepared for a potential take-home design exercise or a live whiteboard session focused on a specific content design problem relevant to Autodesk's products or AI initiatives.

• Strategic Thinking: Practice articulating your approach to content strategy for a new product feature or a complex user journey.

• AI Considerations: Think about how you would design content for AI-powered features, including error handling, user education, and managing user expectations.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to discuss how you would communicate your content strategy and rationale to different stakeholders (e.g., engineers, product managers, executives).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio presentation and potential design challenges is standard for senior/principal design roles. The specific mention of AI and the AEC industry means preparation should focus on these areas. Candidates should be ready to discuss not just what they designed, but their strategic thinking behind it and how it aligns with Autodesk's goals.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Content Design/UX Writing Software: Tools for creating and managing UI text, microcopy, and longer-form content. Specific tools may vary but could include Figma (for UI design and prototyping), specialized writing tools, or content management systems (CMS).

• Prototyping Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for designing and presenting UI mockups and prototypes that incorporate content.

• Collaboration Platforms: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom for communication and virtual collaboration.

• Project Management Tools: Jira, Asana, Trello for tracking tasks, workflows, and project progress.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Product Analytics Tools: Tools like Amplitude, Mixpanel, or Google Analytics to track user behavior, feature adoption, and content effectiveness.

• User Feedback Platforms: Tools for collecting and analyzing user feedback, surveys, and usability testing results.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct focus for a Content Designer, familiarity with CRM systems (like Salesforce) and marketing automation platforms (like Marketo) can be beneficial for understanding the broader customer journey and how content integrates with sales and marketing efforts.

• AI Tools: Proficiency with or understanding of AI tools for content generation, analysis, or enhancement is highly relevant given the role's focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools are inferred based on industry standards for UX/Content Design and the role's responsibilities. The emphasis on AI tools is a direct implication of the job description's focus. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with tools relevant to designing and deploying content in a modern software development environment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer Focus: Deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, using insights to drive design decisions.

• Innovation & AI-Forward: Embracing new technologies, particularly AI, to create transformative experiences and improve workflows.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: Working effectively across diverse teams, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a sense of belonging.

• Excellence & Quality: Striving for high standards in content and design, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and impact.

• Adaptability & Agility: Thriving in dynamic environments, responding effectively to change, and continuously learning.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-driven: Working closely and transparently with Product, Design, Engineering, and Research.

• Influence and Advocacy: Effectively communicating the value of content design and advocating for user-centered solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively participating in discussions, providing constructive feedback, and sharing best practices within the content design community.

• Cross-functional Integration: Seamlessly integrating content into the product development lifecycle, ensuring alignment with broader business and product goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Autodesk's stated commitment to diversity and belonging, alongside the role's focus on AI and customer experience, suggests a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and user impact. The "Experience Foundations" team likely embodies these values, aiming to build robust, user-friendly platforms.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of AEC Domain: Understanding and effectively communicating the intricate workflows and technical requirements of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry.

• AI Integration: Designing intuitive and trustworthy user experiences for AI-native features, managing user expectations, and addressing potential AI biases or errors.

• Scalability: Developing content strategies and systems that can scale across a broad product portfolio and diverse user base.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Ensuring consistent content quality and strategy across multiple product teams with varying priorities and development cycles.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Keeping pace with advancements in AI and cloud technologies and their implications for user experience and content design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Expertise: Gaining in-depth knowledge and practical experience in designing for AI-driven products and services.

• AEC Industry Acumen: Developing a deeper understanding of the AEC market, its challenges, and how Autodesk software addresses them.

• Strategic Content Leadership: Growing into roles with greater strategic influence, shaping content vision and practice at an organizational level.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Developing leadership skills through mentoring junior designers and contributing to the growth of the content design practice.

• Industry Trends: Staying at the forefront of UX writing, content design, and AI trends through conferences, workshops, and continuous learning.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlighted are directly related to the role's context: the complex industry, the cutting edge of AI, and the demands of a large enterprise. The growth opportunities are framed to leverage these challenges into skill development and career advancement.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a content strategy for a new AI-powered feature that automates complex design tasks in the AEC space?" (Focus on understanding the problem, user needs, AI capabilities, and communication strategy.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Product, Engineering) to adopt your content design recommendations. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Assess collaboration, negotiation, and advocacy skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you most about Autodesk's mission and its role in shaping the future of design and make?" (Gauge alignment with company vision.)

• "How do you see AI transforming the user experience in the AEC industry, and what is your role in shaping that transformation?" (Assess forward-thinking and understanding of AI's impact.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically, starting with an overview of your role and the project's goals, followed by detailed case studies, and concluding with key takeaways and impact.

• Highlight AI: Clearly articulate any AI-related aspects of your projects. Explain the AI's function, how you designed the user interaction around it, and any specific challenges or opportunities it presented.

• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics wherever possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of your content and design decisions (e.g., improved task completion rates, reduced error rates, increased user engagement).

• Showcase Process: Walk through your process, emphasizing research, iteration, and collaboration. Explain the trade-offs you made and why.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your design choices, the tools you used, and how you would adapt your approach to Autodesk's specific context.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, a deep understanding of content design principles, specific experience with AI in UX, and strong collaboration skills. The portfolio presentation is a key opportunity to showcase these competencies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Content Designer position:

• Submit Your Application: Apply through the official Autodesk careers portal using the provided URL.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights your 8+ years of experience, specific accomplishments in UX writing, content strategy, and AI-native design, and keywords relevant to this role. Quantify your achievements whenever possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 of your strongest projects that best showcase your expertise in complex digital products, AI-driven experiences, and strategic content design. Ensure it's easily accessible with a password.

• Prepare Your Portfolio Presentation: Practice walking through your selected case studies, focusing on your strategic approach, problem-solving, collaboration, and measurable impact. Be ready to discuss your experience with AI and the AEC industry.

• Research Autodesk: Familiarize yourself with Autodesk's mission, products (especially in the AEC space), and its approach to AI and design. Understand their company values and culture.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.