Principal Data Science Manager

Microsoft • Redmond, WA

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About The Position

Security represents the most critical priorities for our customers in a world awash in digital threats, regulatory scrutiny, and estate complexity. Microsoft Security aspires to make the world a safer place for all. We want to reshape security and empower every user, customer, and developer with a security cloud that protects them with end‑to‑end, simplified solutions. The Microsoft Security organization accelerates Microsoft’s mission and bold ambitions to ensure that our company and industry are securing digital technology platforms, devices, and clouds in our customers’ heterogeneous environments, as well as ensuring the security of our own internal estate. Our culture is centered on embracing a growth mindset, inspiring excellence, and encouraging teams and leaders to bring their best each day. In doing so, we create life‑changing innovations that impact billions of lives around the world.HM Team Description:The Microsoft Identity Security data organization is responsible for building and operating large‑scale data science, machine learning, and AI‑driven systems that protect users and systems from compromise, fraud, and abuse across Microsoft platforms.As a Principal Data Science Manager, you will operate as a technical and people leader, setting direction for high‑impact data science and applied AI initiatives that span compromise detection, anti‑abuse protections, and AI‑enabled security systems, including AI agents. You will lead a team of data scientists, define long‑term technical and organizational strategy, and ensure the successful delivery of production‑grade ML systems at global scale.This role requires operating effectively in high ambiguity, driving alignment across engineering, product, and research partners, and delivering durable solutions that meaningfully improve Microsoft’s security posture.

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.

Requirements

• Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 5+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR Master's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 7+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 10+ years data-science experience (e.g., managing structured and unstructured data, applying statistical techniques and reporting results) OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years people-management experience.
• 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 background and Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• 8+ years of experience in Data Science, Applied Machine Learning, or related technical fields, with a track record of delivering models and data‑driven systems into production.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including managing senior data scientists
• Deep technical expertise in machine learning, statistical modeling, and large‑scale data analysis, with the ability to guide technical decisions without being hands‑on day‑to‑day. • Demonstrated success delivering production ML systems at scale in partnership with software engineering teams.
• Proven ability to operate independently in ambiguous, high‑impact problem spaces, setting direction and driving execution.
• Executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience applying data science and ML to security, fraud, abuse, or risk detection domains. • Experience with AI agents, LLM‑enabled systems, or advanced applied AI techniques.
• Familiarity with ML platforms, experimentation frameworks, and model lifecycle management.
• Experience influencing and partnering across engineering, product, and research organizations. • Knowledge of responsible AI, privacy, and compliance considerations in production systems.
• Track record of building leaders, raising the technical bar, and driving durable organizational impact.

Responsibilities

• Set technical and organizational direction for data science, machine learning, and AI initiatives supporting compromise detection, fraud, and anti‑abuse systems.
• Lead, grow, and sustain a high‑performing data science organization, including hiring, coaching, and maintaining a strong talent pipeline.
• Drive the design, delivery, and evolution of production‑grade ML models and AI‑powered systems, ensuring solutions are scalable, reliable, observable, and secure.
• Partner with engineering leadership to ensure ML systems are built to operate at scale, with strong operational excellence, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with product and business leaders to translate ambiguous security problems into clear success metrics, roadmaps, and execution plans
• Establish and uphold standards for model quality, experimentation (e.g., A/B testing), monitoring, and responsible AI across the organization.
• Influence and align cross‑team and cross‑org technical decisions, serving as a recognized thought leader in data science and applied AI within Microsoft Security.
• Communicate strategy, progress, tradeoffs, and risk clearly to senior leadership, shaping investment decisions and long‑term priorities.
• Model and reinforce Microsoft values, fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion, and engineering excellence.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree