Principal Data and Applied Scientist

Principal Data and Applied Scientist Microsoft $139,900.00

• $274,800.00 / yr United States, Washington, Redmond May 19, 2026 Overview Are you a customer-obsessed, AI-curious problem-solver who thrives in an inclusive, collaborative global team? Join Engineering Operations (EngOps)
• the organization driving operational excellence across the Microsoft Cloud to strengthen quality, reliability, security, and customer trust.

As part of EngOps, you'll design solutions that prevent issues before they happen, embed AI-powered automation, and turn signals into actions that deliver measurable customer impact. Our culture of empowerment, inclusion, and growth mindset defines how we work. Every day, customers stake their business and reputation on our cloud. You can help EngOps keep them secure, resilient, and ready. In the new era of AI, this role within Eng Ops Data & Applied Sciences team will provide you the opportunity to work on cutting-edge GenAI and ML (Machine Learning) solutions that drive specific, measurable, and impactful improvements to key areas of Azure customer experience. In an environment of high opportunity and impact, we are looking for a Principal Data & Applied Scientist who can deliver on key initiatives for Security, Reliability and Quality through advanced AI solutions with a cross-functional team of Product Managers, Designers, Engineers and Data Scientists. Responsibilities As a Principal Data and Applied Scientist in our team, you will:

• Engage with product and business groups to drive impact of AI projects throughout the life cycle from idea creation through technology transfers, applied research, experimentation, implementation and finally to worldwide availability.
• Work with large-scale computing frameworks, data analysis systems, and modeling environments to build and apply models to real products, and then verify effects through iterations.
• Perform rigorous experiments and evaluations to assess the quality and impact of your solutions and improve them based on data and customer feedback.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including researchers, applied scientists, engineers, product managers and designers to build tools and improve the end-to-end AI Quality of our production systems.
• Mentor and guide the team, managing project schedules, milestones, KPIs, reviews, and checkpoints.
• Ensure compliance to Microsoft Responsible AI standards throughout the AI system lifecycle
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in machine learning, Generative AI, information retrieval, and recommendation systems, and contribute to the company's intellectual property through patents and publications.

Qualifications Required 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 Requirements:

Ability 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 Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 9+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research) OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, 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. Experience in Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, langchain, or other machine learning frameworks. Experience delivering AI product features, AI Frameworks and AI Skills/plug-ins Relevant prior work experience, e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research, GenAI. #PRIMOjobs #EngOps Applied Sciences IC5

• The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $139,900
• $274,800 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and 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: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay 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.