Principal Data Scientist

Quick Facts

• Role: Principal Data Scientist (MAI Ecosystem Data Science)

• Focus: Ecosystem-level measurement strategy across Microsoft AI consumer experiences

Description

Microsoft Copilot is building an ecosystem of AI-powered consumer experiences across Search, Copilot, Edge, MSN, and beyond. The MAI Ecosystem Data Science team defines the metrics, experimentation frameworks, and measurement systems that shape how Microsoft AI evaluates success, identifies opportunities, and makes investment decisions at scale.

The Principal Data Scientist will lead ecosystem-level measurement strategy across products and businesses by developing the scientific foundations that guide key AI investments and partnering with product, engineering, business, and executive leaders to influence strategy, execution, and resource allocation.

Responsibilities

• Define the measurement strategy, metrics, and decision frameworks that guide product and investment decisions across the Microsoft AI ecosystem.

• Lead ecosystem-level analyses, experimentation, and causal inference to uncover opportunities, quantify impact, and drive business outcomes.

• Partner across product, engineering, business, and executive leadership teams to shape strategy, roadmap priorities, and resource allocation.

• Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and market dynamics before they become visible in product-level metrics.

• Design and evolve North Star metrics and evaluation systems that accurately measure user value, business impact, and long-term ecosystem health.

• Drive alignment and execution across organizations through influence, scientific rigor, and trusted partnerships.

• Raise the bar for analytical excellence through technical leadership, mentorship, and best practices in measurement, experimentation, and data science.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 3+ years data-science experience (managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results)

• OR Master’s Degree in the same fields AND 5+ years data-science experience

• OR Bachelor’s Degree in the same fields AND 7+ years data science experience

• OR equivalent experience

• 6+ years of experience in Python, R, C++, Java, C#, or similar programming languages

• Demonstrated expertise in statistics, experimentation, causal inference, and large-scale data analysis

• Experience developing metrics, evaluation frameworks, and measurement systems that drive product and business decisions

• Proven track record of identifying high-impact opportunities and solving complex, ambiguous problems across multiple organizations

• Experience influencing product strategy and driving alignment among stakeholders with differing objectives through data-driven insights and recommendations

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills

• Experience leading large cross-functional initiatives and collaborating effectively across product, engineering, business, and analytics teams without direct authority

• Experience building and evaluating production-scale data, analytics, machine learning, or experimentation systems

Benefits

• This position may be eligible for benefits and other compensation (details available at: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay)