Designing the Next Era with Autodesk

Summary:

Why is British Columbia’s talent ecosystem proving to be such a strong draw for global technology companies like Autodesk? Autodesk’s expansion in Vancouver reflects how the company is aligning its global growth with regions that foster innovation and collaboration:

• Strengthening Autodesk’s AEC leadership by expanding teams that build and support core products used by architects, engineers and construction professionals worldwide
• Deepening connections with Canada’s tech and innovation ecosystem, enabling closer collaboration with public‑ and private‑sector partners across the country
• Investing in future‑focused talent and innovation, positioning Vancouver as a key hub in Autodesk’s global network and a foundation for sustained success

A Growing Technology Hub in British Columbia

British Columbia is home to a dynamic and fast-growing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, driving innovation in software, cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), telecommunications and electronics manufacturing. The province is a national leader in applied and commercialized AI, supported by world class research infrastructure and a deep pool of highly skilled talent.

B.C. also has one of the strongest concentrations of technology professionals in Canada while maintaining comparatively competitive operating costs among major North American tech hubs. Its large, flexible and well-educated workforce is continually refreshed by thousands of new credentials awarded each year in post secondary programs that support the tech sector.

This strong ecosystem continues to attract global technology leaders, including Autodesk, which recently opened a permanent office in Vancouver.

A Global Leader in Design and Engineering Software

Founded in 1982 and headquartered in San Francisco, Autodesk is a global leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. The company serves innovators across Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), manufacturing and media industries.

Its portfolio includes industry defining tools such as AutoCAD, a foundational platform for architecture and engineering; Revit, a leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform for the AEC sector; Fusion 360, a cloud based platform integrating Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE); and media and entertainment tools such as 3ds Max and Maya, which are widely used in film, visual effects and game development.

Autodesk maintains office locations in more than 40 countries. In Canada, the company operates offices in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, which opened in January 2026 as Autodesk’s first office on Canada’s West Coast. Autodesk’s Canadian teams support a wide range of industries and focus areas. The Toronto office has a strong concentration of research employees, while Montreal is widely recognized for its media and entertainment expertise.

Expanding Autodesk’s Presence in Vancouver

The Vancouver office is primarily home to Autodeskers supporting the company’s AEC solutions, including engineers who build and maintain AutoCAD and related products used by architects, engineers and construction professionals worldwide. The location enables closer collaboration across Autodesk’s global AEC product teams and strengthens the development of tools used throughout the built environment.

Since 2024, Autodesk’s employee base in the Vancouver area has grown nearly 500%, reflecting both the region’s deep talent pool and the company’s expanding footprint in British Columbia. The Vancouver team also includes employees contributing to several other divisions, including research.

Autodesk selected Vancouver for its strong and growing talent market, which aligns closely with the company’s global hiring strategy. The company has had a presence in the region for several years, and establishing a permanent office reinforces its commitment to becoming a long-term employer in the area. Vancouver’s West Coast location also creates convenient workday overlap with Autodesk teams in San Francisco, Singapore and Shanghai, which supports collaboration across global AEC product teams.

Supporting Infrastructure and Industry Innovation

Autodesk has built strong partnerships across Canada through collaborations with governments and industry leaders. In Vancouver, the company has worked with the City of Vancouver to support innovation in the design and delivery of public services. The city has long been recognized for using technology to advance infrastructure and urban planning, and Autodesk’s tools continue to support that work.

Beyond municipal partnerships, Autodesk’s technology underpins many major regional transportation projects. SkyTrain, the fully automated rapid transit system serving the region, has relied on Autodesk software throughout its development. This includes early AutoCAD drawings and the current use of Civil 3D, Revit and Autodesk Construction Cloud for corridor and station upgrades, including recent system expansions.

Autodesk also works closely with B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit as a technology provider supporting road surveying, design and construction across the province. In addition to public sector partnerships, Autodesk collaborates with leading Canadian companies such as Stantec, the Canadian founded global design and consulting firm. Together, the organizations are developing embodied carbon analysis tools to help reduce emissions in the built environment.

“Opening our first permanent Vancouver office reflects Autodesk’s long term commitment to Canada and to the incredible talent in this region,” said Amy Bunszel, Autodesk’s Executive Vice President of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Solutions. “Our Vancouver team has grown rapidly over the past two years, and their work plays an important role in helping our customers design and build more sustainable, resilient infrastructure. We value our longstanding partnership with the City of Vancouver and appreciate the support of partners like Trade and Invest BC as we continue to grow our presence here.”

Supporting Global Companies in British Columbia

Vancouver’s strong technology ecosystem, highly skilled workforce and collaborative innovation culture continue to attract global companies seeking to expand their presence in North America. With well established networks across industry, government and academia, the region offers a supportive environment for organizations building and scaling their operations.

Local expertise and community connections can play an important role when establishing a new office. Organizations such as Trade and Invest BC help connect international companies with talent, partners and resources, supporting their integration into the local business landscape.

As global technology companies continue to innovate and grow, B.C. is stepping into a powerful role on the world stage. In an era defined by technological breakthroughs, B.C. is rising as a center of innovation, empowering global companies to invent the future, forge new partnerships and achieve sustained success.

To learn more about expanding your technology business in British Columbia, contact Trade and Invest BC.