Principal Data Scientist

Job ID: Posted: Location: United States, Washington, RedmondSalary: USD $142,800 - $274,800 per yearEmployment type: Full-TimeWork site: 3 days / week in-officeRole type: Individual ContributorTravel: Less than 25%Profession: Research, Applied, & Data SciencesDiscipline: Applied SciencesCompany: MicrosoftOverviewCoreAI sits at the center of Microsoft’s mission to redefine how software is built and experienced, providing the foundational platforms, services, and developer experiences that power the next generation of AI-driven applications. As part of CoreAI, the Experimentation Platform (ExP) enables trustworthy, high-scale online experimentation that accelerates product learning and drives progress across Microsoft’s AI ecosystem. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the technical direction of systems that help teams ship better AI experiences faster by providing the experimentation capabilities needed to evaluate, refine, and safely deploy new innovations.In this role, you will:Push the envelope on online experimentation methodology and agent evaluations, advancing the state-of-the-art by connecting product development needs, latest science techniques and platform opportunitiesContribute to one of the highest-scale experimentation platforms on the planetCollaborate closely with backend engineers, data scientists, site reliability engineers (SREs), and product managers to gather requirements, iterate on features, and deliver seamless, end-to-end user experiences.Collaborate closely with designers, UI-experts, science leaders and engineers to ensure clear, actionable dashboards and visualizations that empower users to make trustworthy science-informed decisions.Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.ResponsibilitiesCollaborate with and bridge the gaps between researchers (e.g., across CoreAI, Microsoft Research (MSR) and open source communities) to translate applied research into differentiated, production-quality featuresProvide technical guidance and deep industry insight, advising cross-functional teams on the adoption of cutting-edge AI tools, technologies, and methodologies to ensure successful experimentation programs and uphold the highest standards of quality and scientific rigor.Ensure teams develop and apply advanced subject matter expertise across a diverse set of specialized tools and methods, driving measurable business outcomes and elevating the scope and impact of Microsoft’s experimentation initiatives.Interface with experimentation partners across Microsoft to translate requirements into platform capabilities and lower barriers requiring advanced subject matter expertise.Provide mentorship and coaching to less experienced and mid-level team members by sharing expertise to build team capabilities and guiding team members in projects, and their careerQualificationsRequired Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR equivalent experience.Other RequirementsAbility to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.Preferred Qualifications: Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)Experience with Agent based architectures, frameworks and technologies (such as MCP, A2A protocol, or Azure AI Foundry)3+ years of experience developing and deploying products or systems at multiple points in the product cycle from ideation to shipping as part of a product team.Proven track record designing and scaling online experimentation platforms that support high‑velocity A/B and multivariate testing across complex, multi‑team product ecosystems, including governance, guardrails, and causal inference best practices.Demonstrated thought leadership in product measurement strategy, with the ability to define north‑star metrics, architect measurement frameworks, and influence senior product and engineering leaders on how to interpret ambiguous or noisy data at scale.5+ years experience creating publications (e.g., patents, libraries, peer-reviewed academic papers).Applied Sciences IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $142,800 - $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $188,000 - $304,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:Applied Sciences IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $165,600 - $296,400 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $220,800 - $331,200 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.