Principal, Data Science & Analytics

Microsoft Microsoft · Big Tech · Redmond, WA +2 · Data Science

This role focuses on ecosystem data science within Microsoft AI, owning cross-product measurement strategy, shared measurement systems, and experimentation frameworks. The Principal Data Scientist will apply machine learning, statistical modeling, and data mining to large datasets to define and deliver metrics that measure user and business value across products. They will also be responsible for designing and executing experiments, and standardizing processes for data acquisition, quality, and operationalizing ML models. The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and driving data-driven decisions within an integrated consumer AI ecosystem.

What you'd actually do

  1. Leadership: Mentor data scientists and align work with MAI ecosystem goals, driving technical excellence, innovation, and cross-team collaboration.
  2. Data Strategy & Execution: Develop ecosystem data strategies for marketplace and system performance, including standardized data collection, analysis, reporting, and interpretation; validate analytical approaches and results.
  3. Advanced Analytics & Measurement: Apply machine learning, statistical modeling, data mining, and experimentation to large datasets; define and deliver metrics that accurately measure user and business value across products and marketplace components.
  4. Experimental Design & Implementation: Design and execute experiments across user and demand dimensions; translate strategy into clear, actionable, and measurable plans, sharing progress and results with stakeholders.
  5. Collaboration: Partner closely with product, program management, engineering, and business teams to integrate data science solutions into shared platforms and marketplace operations.

Skills

Required

  • Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years data science experience
  • Master's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 10+ years data science experience
  • Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 12+ years data-science experience
  • equivalent experience
  • managing structured and unstructured data
  • applying statistical techniques
  • reporting results

Nice to have

  • 6+ years of experience in at least one of programming languages like Python/R/MATLAB/C#/Java/C++
  • Great organizational, analytical, data science skills and intuition
  • Fantastic problem solver: ability to solve problems that the world has not solved before
  • Interpersonal skills: cross-group and cross-culture collaboration.
  • Experience with real world system building and data collection, including design, coding and evaluation
  • Excellent communication to be able to communicate insights to senior leaders.
  • Experience with driving large collaboration across multiple teams.
  • Experience with communicating with different audiences to provide insights
  • Demonstrated experience in applying statistics, experimentation and metrics to generate clear actionable insights.

What the JD emphasized

  • own cross product measurement strategy
  • uphold a high bar for metric quality
  • statistical rigor
  • data driven leadership
  • creative modeling geeks
  • solve real life day to day problems
  • data driven solutions to ambiguous problems
  • own ecosystem data strategies
  • standardized data collection
  • validate analytical approaches and results
  • define and deliver metrics
  • accurately measure user and business value
  • design and execute experiments
  • translate strategy into clear, actionable, and measurable plans
  • integrate data science solutions
  • data-driven solutions to improve efficiency, reliability, and user experience
  • make independent decisions for the team
  • handle complex tradeoffs
  • develop and standardize processes for data acquisition, quality, and operationalizing ML models
  • provide expert review of analysis and modeling
  • lead adoption of new tools and technologies
  • establish and uphold standards, policies, and best practices for high-quality, efficient, and extensible code
  • influence business, customer, and solution strategy
  • act as a trusted advisor

Other signals

  • ecosystem data science
  • metrics
  • experimentation frameworks
  • machine learning
  • statistical modeling
  • data mining
  • user and business value
  • operationalizing ML models