Principal Applied Sciences Manager

The Azure Core Fundamentals team, part of C + AI division is reimagining the future of engineering systems. We are a diverse group of data and applied scientists, software engineers collaborating with passion to help transform the development and release processes for Azure.

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Applied Sciences Manager to lead impactful projects at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and engineering systems. In this role, you will drive the development and application of advanced data science techniques, especially those involving Large Language Models (LLMs), to improve developer productivity and thrive. You will have the opportunity to design and lead experiments, build and evaluate state-of-the-art models. You will collaborate with teams across Azure Core and Microsoft Research organization to improve engineering thrive and reduce developer toil across the organization. You will apply AI to identify and mitigate risks early and ensure safe, secure and compliant deployments and releases. You will help build products and solutions leveraging agentic approaches, model fine-tuning and other learning techniques.

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.

• 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.
• 3+ years experience in developing and deploying live production systems.
• 3+ years of people management 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 Data Science, 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 Data Science, 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 of people management experience.
• 2+ years prior experience in improving efficiency of engineering systems, developer tooling and deployment and release processes leveraging data and applied sciences techniques.

Applied Sciences M5 - 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 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

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until November 11, 2025.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

#azurecorejobs

• Act as a subject matter expert and deliver technical leadership to a forward-thinking Data and Applied Sciences team specializing in Large Language Models, Machine Learning and AI applications.
• Support hiring, coaching, mentoring and career development of Data and Applied Scientists to build an inclusive and ambitious applied science team.
• Identify gaps and determine which tools, technologies, and methods to incorporate to ensure quality and scientific rigor. Lead the development and implementation of new or modified tools, technologies, and methods. Hold team members accountable for developing and applying deep subject matter expert knowledge around a broad array of specialized tools/methods to support business impact.
• Collaborate with and bridge the gap between researchers (in community across the company, Microsoft Research [MSR], or in their own organizations) and development teams. Brings new technology and approaches into production by applying long-term research efforts to solve immediate product needs.
• Review business and product requirements, incorporate state-of-the art research, and identify complex or difficult problems and develop strategies to solve them. Lead the development and implementation of new or modified tools and hold team members accountable for developing deep subject matter expertise.
• Build and manage AI solutions, experiments, leveraging or fine-tuning the right models to achieve the business objectives.
• Educate team with industry and competitor insights, leads by example, provide recognition as appropriate, and help establish best practices and standards. You’ll identify and inspire new talent to join Microsoft and share findings through conferences and publication.

• Other · Embody our culture and values