Microsoft

Principal Data Scientist

Microsoft$130K — $277K *
Enterprise Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, IT, or related field with 10+ years of relevant experience, or the equivalent in experience.
  • Expert-level skills in causal inference methodologies and their application.
  • Deep understanding of advanced statistics, including Bayesian and frequentist approaches.
  • Proficiency in machine learning, with experience in end-to-end modeling and deployment.
  • Experience with LLMs and AI agents, focusing on evaluation frameworks and quality control.
  • Track record of leading impactful experimentation programs and projects.
  • Strong Python or R, and SQL skills for data analysis and storytelling.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and analysis of large-scale experiments and studies, ensuring the right causal inference methods are applied.
  • Develop and implement advanced machine learning models that inform strategic decisions.
  • Establish standards for experimentation, ensuring statistical rigor and sound model validation.
  • Influence the definition of metrics and measurement strategies through insightful data analysis.
  • Mentor junior data scientists and review their work for methodological accuracy.
  • Communicate complex data results and insights effectively to senior stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Access to advanced training and mentorship programs.
  • Collaborative work environment with opportunities to influence strategic decisions.
  • Exposure to cutting-edge technology and methodologies in machine learning and statistics.
Full Job Description
Responsibilities
  • Lead the design and analysis of large-scale experiments and observational studies; select and defend the right causal inference approach for each problem.
  • Develop and productionize advanced machine learning and causal models that drive strategic decisions.
  • Establish best practices for experimentation, statistical rigor, and model validation across the team.
  • Influence metric definitions, measurement strategy, and roadmap through data-driven insight.
  • Mentor Associate data scientists and review analyses for methodological soundness.
  • Communicate complex results and trade-offs to senior stakeholders.


Qualifications

Required/minimum qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), or related field AND 10+ years technical support, technical consulting experience, or information technology experience
    • 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: Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of U.S. citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local United States government agency customer and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, citizenship will be verified via a valid passport.


Additional or preferred qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field AND 15+ years of technical support, technical consulting experience, or information technology experience
    • OR equivalent experience.
  • Expert-level causal inference - able to choose, apply, and critique experimental and observational methods (DiD, IV, propensity/matching, uplift, synthetic control).
  • Advanced statistics - deep command of inference, uncertainty quantification, and both Bayesian and frequentist approaches.
  • Strong ML expertise - end-to-end modeling, robust validation, and production deployment.
  • Experience evaluating LLMs and/or AI agents - building rigorous evaluation frameworks, benchmarking, and measuring quality, safety, and reliability at scale.
  • Track record leading impactful experimentation programs.
  • Experience with causal ML libraries (DoWhy, EconML, CausalML) at scale.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership and mentorship.
  • Data storytelling - translating complex analyses into compelling data stories through enhanced visualizations in Python (e.g., matplotlib, seaborn, plotly) or other tools.
  • Expert proficiency in Python or R and SQL.


Technical Support Engineering IC6 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $277,200 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 $165,600 - $303,600 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.

About Microsoft

Microsoft is an American multinational corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells a range of software products and services. Microsoft’s devices and consumer (D&C) licensing segment licenses the Windows operating system and related software, Microsoft Office for consumers, and the Windows Phone operating system. The company’s computing and gaming hardware segment provides Xbox gaming and entertainment consoles and accessories, second-party and third-party video games, and Xbox Live subscriptions; surface devices and accessories; and Microsoft PC accessories. Its phone hardware segment offers Lumia smartphones and other non-Lumia phones. Its D&C segment provides Windows Store, Xbox Live transactions, and Windows phone store; search advertising; display advertising; Office 365 Home and Office 365 Personal; first-party video games; and other consumer products and services as well as operating retail stores. Microsoft’s commercial licensing segments license server products, including Windows Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Studio, System Center, and related Client Access Licenses (CALs); Windows Embedded; Windows operating system; Microsoft Office for business, including Office, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and related CALs; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions; and Skype. Its commercial segment offers enterprise services, including premier support services and Microsoft consulting services; commercial cloud comprising Office 365 Commercial, other Microsoft Office online offerings, Dynamics CRM Online, and Microsoft Azure; and other commercial products and online services. The company markets and distributes its products through original equipment manufacturers, distributors, and resellers, as well as online.

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Learn more about Microsoft
Size
181,000 employees
Market Cap
$1,762.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$51.3 billion
Founded
1975
5 Year Trend
+15.5%
Revenue
$153.2 billion
NASDAQ

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