Principal Applied Scientist

Job ID: 200061197Posted: 2026-10-16Location: 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: MicrosoftOverviewFrontier Tuning is a new product that aims to fine-tune models and harnesses on tenant data, enabling enterprise-tuned agents and solutions. We are a small, nimble team that is advancing the state of the art in models and agents. Come join our team and help transform the agent experience in the enterprise.We are seeking a Principal Applied Scientist with strong research and development skills and the desire to develop the cutting-edge AI products that push technological boundaries. We are looking for candidates with interest and experience in designing, building, and deploying AI solutions, working with the latest cloud and ML technologies, and delving deep with customers to generalize their learnings into the broader product. We provide a nurturing environment to support passionate researchers and engineers in technology innovation. We seek candidates who excel in deep thinking, advanced development, and fast-paced entrepreneurial execution in a collaborative setting. 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.ResponsibilitiesDesign, build, test, and deploy cloud-based AI applications Build and deploy LLM-based agentic systems. Engage with customers to understand and address their pain points. Document experiments and communicate results across the team. Mentor early in career team members. QualificationsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., building software systems, research)OR Master's Degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 4+ years related experience (e.g., building software systems, research)OR Doctorate in Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related experience (e.g., building software systems, research)OR equivalent experience.Preferred Qualifications:Master's Degree in Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 9+ years related experience (e.g., building software systems, research)OR Doctorate in Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., building software systems, research)OR equivalent experience.5+ years experience creating publications (e.g., patents, libraries, peer-reviewed academic papers).2+ years experience presenting at conferences or other events in the outside research/industry community as an invited speaker.5+ years experience conducting research as part of a research program (in academic or industry settings).3+ years experience developing and deploying live production systems, as part of a product team.3+ years experience developing and deploying products or systems at multiple points in the product cycle from ideation to shipping.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: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.