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Principal Data and Applied Scientist

Pay
Multiple pay statements — pay source
Experience in ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI. Data Science 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: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Read the full posting
Work setting
Not stated
Employment
Full-time — employment source
Employment type in the employer’s posting: FULL_TIME
From the employer’s posting

What you’ll work on

Full posting
  • Turn business needs into measurable problems with clear success metrics

  • Develop new ML or GenAI models using advanced statistical and ML techniques

  • Lead evaluation of GenAI solutions and diagnose root causes of issues

  • Write robust, reusable code to support analysis and modeling

From the employer’s posting
Work with key stakeholders to understand the underlying business needs and formulate the needs into discrete, manageable problems with well-defined measurable objectives and outcomes.
Develop new ML or GenAI based models using advanced statistical and ML techniques.
Lead the evaluation of various GenAI based solutions, diagnosing issues and identifying root causes to support potential fine-tuning or reinforcement learning based fixes.
Write robust, reusable, and extensible code to support analysis and modeling.

What you’ll bring

All qualifications

Preferred experience

  • Experience in Python, PySpark, and SQL.
  • 6+ years of experience in data science, product/journey analytics, causal inference, and user behavioral modeling.
  • Experience driving product improvements through data and insights.
  • Experience designing experiments, defining standardized metrics, performing causal analyses, and delivering behavior-driven insights.
Qualification wording
Experience in Python, PySpark, and SQL.
6+ years of experience in data science, product/journey analytics, causal inference, and user behavioral modeling.
Experience driving product improvements through data and insights.
Experience designing experiments, defining standardized metrics, performing causal analyses, and delivering behavior-driven insights.
Education & alternatives
Qualifications Required/minimum qualifications Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR Master's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 7+ years data science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements
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Posting record

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Status in our records
Live
First seen by us
Nov 2, 20261 day ago
Recorded sightings
2
Last seen by us
Nov 4, 2026
Reposted
once since Aug 11, 2026

These dates show when we found the posting. Check the employer’s website to confirm it is still accepting applications. We count a repost when the same title and location comes back as a new listing within 60 days of the last one coming down. Some hiring systems expire listings on a schedule, so repost rates vary by system.

How this job compares

Pay

$118K–$193K is typical

The middle half of what similar US postings state. This one doesn’t list pay.

From 3,721 postings in the last year. Stated ranges, not salaries paid.

Time since we first saw it

Day 1

Early. Similar jobs usually come down between day 7 and day 55.

From 9,971 similar postings that came down. Coming down is not always a hire.

Microsoft is hiring

47 open jobs

Open jobs by the week we first saw them, last 12 weeks.

  • Data Scientist hiring is steady
  • Takes jobs down at a usual pace
  • 4% of open jobs were reposted
Hiring record

See how this role fits your experience

Add your resume and we’ll mark which of these tools you already use, and point out anything in the posting that could rule you out.

  • Python
  • SQL
  • Azure
  • Databricks
  • Delta Lake
  • Snowflake
  • PySpark
Where the posting names them
Preferred Qualifications - Experience in Python, PySpark, and SQL. - Exposure to ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI.
- Experience in Python, PySpark, and SQL. - Exposure to ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI. - 6+ years of experience in data science, product/journey analytics, causal inference, and user behavioral modeling.
- Experience with large-scale enterprise data platforms (e.g., Fabric, Synapse, ADX, Delta Lake, ADF, Databricks, Snowflake). - Experience in ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI. Data Science 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.
- Experience levering AI to deliver accelerate time to insight and depth of insights - Experience with large-scale enterprise data platforms (e.g., Fabric, Synapse, ADX, Delta Lake, ADF, Databricks, Snowflake). - Experience in ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI.

Your next step

Complete your application on microsoft.eightfold.ai. The employer’s form will show what is required.

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About the role

We file this job under Data Scientist, by the work the posting describes.

Data scientists use statistics and models to answer harder questions, such as whether a change worked, what demand will look like next quarter, or which customers are likely to leave.

Postings usually ask for Python or R, SQL, statistics, experiment design and common machine learning methods.

Unlike an ML engineer, a data scientist's main output is often an analysis or a first model, not software running inside a product.

US government figures for data scientists

Median yearly pay, May 2025
$120,230
Expected change, 2025 to 2035
34.6% more jobsagainst 3.5% for all jobs

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and Employment Projections (2025 to 2035). Occupation code 15-2051.

Job description

View original posting ↗

Overview

With the rapid acceleration of AI and the need to deliver trustworthy, high-performing models, Microsoft's Enterprise Engineering and AI (EEAI) Data Science and Applied AI team is driving innovation at scale! Our mission is to advance AI capabilities through rigorous evaluations, fine-tuning, and large-scale experimentation to create intelligent, personalized experiences for customers worldwide. The EEAI Data Science and Applied AI team is seeking passionate AI practitioners and data scientists to join agile, cross-functional teams working on cutting-edge model evaluation frameworks, optimization pipelines, and experimentation platforms that power Microsoft's AI ecosystem. 

 

We are looking for a Principal Data and Applied Scientist to join our team! As a member of the Enterprise Engineering and AI (EEAI) Data Science and Applied AI organization at Microsoft, you will help us accelerate the company's own AI transformation. You will have the opportunity to partner directly with the engineering and product management groups responsible for managing the Dynamics 365 applications that power Microsoft's sales, marketing, and support platforms. You will apply advanced analytics, statistical modeling, machine learning and GenAI tools to uncover insights, drive action and deliver innovative solutions for complex business challenges. 

 

This role offers the opportunity to: 

  • Collaborate across a diverse team of data scientists, engineers, and product managers. 

  • Deepen your expertise in the evolving AI and ML landscape. 

  • Drive meaningful impact for thousands of Microsoft sales, marketing and support platform users. 

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. 



Responsibilities
  • Work with key stakeholders to understand the underlying business needs and formulate the needs into discrete, manageable problems with well-defined measurable objectives and outcomes. 

  • Transform formulated problems into implementation plans by defining success metrics, applying/creating the appropriate methods, algorithms, and tools, as well as delivering statistically valid and reliable results. 

  • Write robust, reusable, and extensible code to support analysis and modeling. 

  • Develop new ML or GenAI based models using advanced statistical and ML techniques. 

  • Lead the evaluation of various GenAI based solutions, diagnosing issues and identifying root causes to support potential fine-tuning or reinforcement learning based fixes. 

  • Use AI-powered tools in your daily work to accelerate coding, analysis, and other tasks. 



Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR Master's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 7+ years data science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) 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 

  • Experience in Python, PySpark, and SQL.

  • Exposure to ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI. 

  • 6+ years of experience in data science, product/journey analytics, causal inference, and user behavioral modeling. 

  • Experience driving product improvements through data and insights. 

  • Experience designing experiments, defining standardized metrics, performing causal analyses, and delivering behavior-driven insights. 

  • Experience with learning platforms and/or learner competency and skill modeling (e.g., proficiency, mastery, and skill signals). 

  • Experience levering AI to deliver accelerate time to insight and depth of insights 

  • Experience with large-scale enterprise data platforms (e.g., Fabric, Synapse, ADX, Delta Lake, ADF, Databricks, Snowflake). 

  • Experience in  ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI. 



Data Science 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:
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.

Source details

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Pay
Experience in ML development platforms such as Azure Machine Learning, Azure AI Foundry + Azure OpenAI. Data Science 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: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
Location & working pattern

Redmond, WA, US

Working pattern and location restrictions need checking in the full posting.

Work authorization
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.

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