Lead research and engineering to design, evaluate, and deploy AI systems for Microsoft 365. Develop coordination frameworks, efficient code-generation techniques, fine-tuning/post-training methods, and real-world evaluation benchmarks. Collaborate with engineering and product teams to translate research into scalable, reliable, and responsible production features.
Overview
Responsibilities
Qualifications
We are building a high-impact AI engineering and applied science team within the Office Product Group to advance the next generation of intelligent, AI-powered experiences embedded directly into Microsoft 365 applications. The team operates at the intersection of research and product development, evolving new model and system capabilities and delivering them at scale to support hundreds of millions of users worldwide.
As a Principal Researcher, you will contribute to the design, development, evaluation, and deployment of AI systems that can reason, take action, and work across tools, documents, and services. You will apply these capabilities within real product environments, balancing innovation with practical considerations such as reliability, performance, and user experience.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. We approach our work with a growth mindset, collaborate across teams to deliver meaningful outcomes, and continuously learn and innovate to better serve our customers. Our culture is grounded in respect, integrity, and accountability, creating an inclusive environment where individuals and teams can do their best work.
Responsibilities
- Support the development of frameworks that enable coordination and communication across multiple AI components, helping to facilitate task delegation, orchestration, and result validation scenarios.
- Apply and improve techniques for efficient code generation and transformation in low-resource environments, including adapting models to domain-specific languages, formulas, and structured or semi-structured data formats.
- Implement and iterate on fine-tuning and post-training approaches for large-scale machine learning models to enhance reliability, controllability, and readiness for production use.
- Contribute to the design and execution of evaluation strategies and benchmarks that reflect real-world Microsoft 365 user workflows, including participation in system-level and human-in-the-loop assessments.
- Collaborate with engineering and product management partners to help translate research ideas into scalable, production-ready features, with attention to user experience, performance, and responsible AI practices.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in 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 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 experience creating publications (e.g., patents, libraries, peer-reviewed academic papers).
- 2+ years experience presenting at conferences or other events in the outside research/industry community as an invited speaker.
- 5+ years experience conducting research as part of a research program (in academic or industry settings).
- 3+ years experience developing and deploying live production systems, as part of a product team.
- 3+ years experience developing and deploying products or systems at multiple points in the product cycle from ideation to shipping.
Applied Sciences 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.
Microsoft Redmond, Washington, USA Office
1 Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA, United States, 98052
Microsoft Bellevue, Washington, USA Office
Bellevue, United States
Microsoft Issaquah, Washington, USA Office
Issaquah, United States
Microsoft Kirkland, Washington, USA Office
Kirkland, United States
Microsoft Mercer Island, Washington, USA Office
Mercer Island, United States
Microsoft Sammamish, Washington, USA Office
Sammamish, United States
Microsoft Seattle, Washington, USA Office
Seattle, United States
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
Lead cross-organizational governance and delivery for entitlement, licensing, metering, and usage data. Define data models, intake and compliance processes, tooling, and release coordination across product, engineering, legal, finance, and compliance to enable consumption-based business models and audit readiness.
eCommerce • Healthtech • Pet • Retail • Pharmaceutical
Own end-to-end inventory planning and execution for Chewy Private Brands, including forecasting, purchasing, supply planning, and fulfillment. Improve forecasting accuracy, inventory health, and in-stock performance using data analysis, partner with vendors and cross-functional teams, drive automation and process improvements, define system requirements, and develop business cases and project plans to support scalable growth and excellent customer experience.
Top Skills:
KnimeMS OfficePythonSQL
eCommerce • Fashion • Retail • Sales • Wearables • Design
Provide exceptional customer service as a brand ambassador, operate POS and handle cash, process shipments and stockroom items, maintain sales floor and visual merchandising, support sales activities, follow loss prevention and housekeeping standards, and perform physical tasks including lifting and maneuvering inventory.
Top Skills:
Cash Register SystemsInternetIpadLaptopMobile PosPosWalkie Talkie
What you need to know about the Seattle Tech Scene
Home to tech titans like Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle punches far above its weight in innovation. But its surrounding mountains, sprinkled with world-famous hiking trails and climbing routes, make the city a destination for outdoorsy types as well. Established as a logging town before shifting to shipbuilding and logistics, the Emerald City is now known for its contributions to aerospace, software, biotech and cloud computing. And its status as a thriving tech ecosystem is attracting out-of-town companies looking to establish new tech and engineering hubs.
Key Facts About Seattle Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 287,000; 13% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, software, biotechnology, game development
- Funding Landscape: $3.1 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Madrona, Fuse, Tola, Maveron
- Research Centers and Universities: University of Washington, Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
