At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive customer outcomes and build production-grade solutions in dynamic environments.
- Company: Join Microsoft, a leader in tech innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Enjoy travel and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving complex challenges with cutting-edge data science.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in Data Science or related field with extensive experience required.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
In the Microsoft Frontier Company Engineering team, you won’t just build software; you’ll deliver real outcomes for some of the world’s most complex organizations. We are a global team of world-class engineers who have been working in a Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) model for more than a decade, embedding directly within customer teams to solve their toughest challenges, side-by-side, and shipping production-ready solutions in days, not months.
As a Principal Account-Aligned FDE, you will be a customer embedded engineer to serve as the primary technical leader aligned to a strategic account, driving business outcomes through hands on execution and multidisciplinary expertise. In this role, you will build and ship production grade solutions, work directly with customers to translate business needs into clear technical approaches, and operate with speed in complex, fast moving environments. This is a senior individual contributor role requiring strong technical depth, credibility with senior stakeholders, industry context, and an entrepreneurial approach to navigating ambiguity and delivering sustained impact over time.
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.
Responsibilities
- Drive customer outcomes by shaping opportunities and translating business needs into clear, actionable technical approaches.
- Build and deliver production-grade solutions in customer environments, demonstrating strong engineering execution and end-to-end ownership.
- Accelerate time to value by operating effectively in ambiguity and delivering iterative, high-impact solutions.
- Engage and influence senior stakeholders to build trust, align priorities, and guide technical and business decision-making.
- Apply industry and customer context to tailor solutions and move beyond generic approaches.
- Prepare and transition work to FDE crews with clear scope and strong technical direction, maintaining continuity across the engagement lifecycle.
- Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset to navigate complex account dynamics, set boundaries, and drive urgency and accountability.
- Embody our culture and values.
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications (RQs/MQs)
- 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 OR Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, or related field AND 10+ years data science experience OR equivalent experience.
- 5+ years customer-facing, project-delivery experience, professional services, and/or consulting experience.
- Experience partnering directly with customers or internal stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.
Additional or Preferred Qualifications (PQs)
- Doctorate in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, OR related field AND 8+ years data-science experience OR Master's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, OR related field AND 10+ years data-science experience OR Bachelor's Degree in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Econometrics, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, OR related field AND 12+ years data-science experience OR equivalent experience.
- Experience partnering directly with customers or internal stakeholders to deliver solutions end-to-end.
- Enjoy travel and are comfortable with travel up to 25%.
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.
Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Data Scientist employer: Microsoft
Microsoft in Oxford is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from competitive compensation, a supportive environment, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those looking to advance their careers in cloud solutions. The strategic location in Oxford further enhances the experience, providing access to a vibrant tech community and rich cultural resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Data Scientist
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Microsoft!
✨Show Off Your Projects
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Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Microsoft.
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Forward Deployed Engineer - Data Scientist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Microsoft, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Microsoft. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Microsoft
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Microsoft!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
