Extant theory on autonomy and creativity predicts that autonomy in deciding how to solve a given problem improves creativity by fostering intrinsic motivation. In this study, we explore a less-studied type of autonomy, that is, autonomy in selecting problems and how it influences the creative performance of corporate inventors. Drawing on the literature on creative problem solving and research on cognitive overload associated with autonomy, we hypothesize that autonomous inventions (i.e., outcomes of inventive activities that inventors autonomously initiated and set problems for) are associated with lower problem formulation complexity than inventions resulting from formal R&D projects for which problems are more defined ex-ante, and lower problem formulation complexity in turn relates to lower quality of inventions. We also suggest that the negative relationship between autonomous inventions and problem formulation complexity is moderated by inventors’ domain expertise and their efforts in searching for previous problems and solutions. Leveraging a unique dataset consisting of the descriptions of problems by corporate inventors of a firm, we found evidence supporting the hypotheses. Contributions to the literature on job design, creativity, and problem formulation are discussed.