Autodesk calls India a strategic market, plans to step up hiring

For San Francisco-based design software maker Autodesk, India has emerged from its smallest market to a "fast-growing, thriving business", driven by investments in talent and a growing R&D presence, a senior executive said.

Hiring in India will continue to grow over the next few years, despite the global impact of artificial intelligence on teams, Haresh Khoobchandani, its vice-president of sales for Asia Pacific and Japan, told ET.

The company develops software tools for industries such as architecture, engineering, construction (AEC), and media and entertainment. Its headcount in India is the largest outside the US. "India is strategic due to government initiatives and infrastructure investment of about Rs 1.3 trillion. We're investing heavily in talent and R&D, and India will continue to play a key role in APAC's growth," Khoobchandani said.


Autodesk operates a global capability centre in Bengaluru, which has played a significant role in building its Fusion product's capabilities. The tool aids in making AEC-related workflows simpler with real-time data integration.

Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost said the R&D centre has played a key role in shaping the company's global product portfolio.

According to a recent Autodesk report, Indian companies have been at the forefront of leveraging AI to drive sustainability across the Asia-Pacific region. Over half (52%) of Indian business leaders said they are already using AI to support environmentally responsible outcomes, well above the global average of 39%, it said.

Kamolika Gupta Peres, who was recently appointed vice-president for the company's India and Saarc operations, said not just big clients, many Indian startups are also building on the Autodesk technology. "Startups like Vayve Mobility (developer of India's first solar car), Atomberg Technologies (fans) and Tinkerbell (automated roti maker) are all designing on Autodesk Fusion," she said.

The company said its future partnerships in the country will span both commercial organisations and government initiatives. It is also working with Japanese companies investing in India, to create a platform that fosters innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness.

Hiring in India aligns with the skills needed for software development, which could include AI, data, or other specialised areas, the company said.

(The reporter is in Nashville at the invitation of Autodesk)