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Microsoft Computer Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Preferred Qualifications: * Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or ...

Microsoft AI is a part of Microsoft focused on pushing the boundaries of AI towards Humanist ... Required : • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years ...

... Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience. Screening Requirements * The ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security ...

Principal ML Architect

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$188K - $304K/yr

... Computer Science, or related field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements * Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security ...

Senior Software Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$144K - $190K/yr

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 4+ years technical engineering ... Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud ...

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Microsoft Computer Science information

See California salary details

$55.8K

$82K

$96.7K

How much do microsoft computer science jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for microsoft computer science in California is $82,020.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,500.00 and $92,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Microsoft Computer Scientist, and why are they important?

To excel as a Microsoft Computer Scientist, you need a solid background in computer science fundamentals, programming languages like C#, C++, or Python, and at least a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with Microsoft's development tools (such as Visual Studio), cloud platforms like Azure, and relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert) is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you contribute to complex projects and collaborate across diverse teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for innovating, building scalable solutions, and driving success within Microsoft's dynamic technology environment.

What is the highest paying job at Microsoft?

The highest paying roles at Microsoft are typically executive positions such as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or Vice President of Engineering, which can offer compensation packages exceeding several million dollars annually, including salary, bonuses, and stock options. Senior technical roles like Principal Software Engineering Manager or Distinguished Engineer also command high salaries due to their expertise and leadership responsibilities.

What are the typical collaborative projects a Microsoft Computer Science professional might work on, and how does teamwork influence success in this role?

As a Microsoft Computer Science professional, you will often collaborate with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and other engineers, to develop scalable software solutions. Projects may range from cloud computing services in Azure to building new features for Microsoft Office or Windows. Teamwork is crucial, as success often depends on effective communication, code reviews, and shared responsibilities. Regular stand-up meetings, agile sprints, and pair programming are common practices that help ensure alignment and foster innovation. This collaborative environment not only enhances project outcomes but also supports individual growth through knowledge sharing.

How difficult is it to get hired at Microsoft?

Getting hired for a Microsoft computer science role is competitive and typically requires strong technical skills, relevant experience, and a solid educational background in computer science or related fields. Candidates often go through multiple interview rounds assessing coding, problem-solving, and technical knowledge, with proficiency in tools like programming languages and algorithms being important. The hiring process can be lengthy and demanding, reflecting the company's high standards for technical expertise and problem-solving ability.

What is Microsoft Computer Science?

Microsoft Computer Science typically refers to the study and application of computer science principles within the context of Microsoft technologies. This can include working with programming languages, software development, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other tech projects using Microsoft tools like Azure, Visual Studio, and .NET. Professionals in this field may work on developing software, managing IT infrastructure, or creating innovative solutions for business and consumer needs. Microsoft also offers educational programs and certifications for those interested in advancing their computer science knowledge and careers.

Can I make 200K with a computer science degree?

Microsoft Computer Science roles, especially in software engineering, data science, or management, can offer salaries of $200,000 or more at senior levels or in high-cost living areas. Achieving this typically requires extensive experience, advanced skills in programming, algorithms, or cloud platforms, and often involves working in competitive markets or leadership positions.

What jobs can I get with MS in computer science?

With an MS in computer science, common job roles include software engineer, data scientist, systems analyst, cybersecurity analyst, and machine learning engineer. These positions often require strong programming skills, knowledge of algorithms, and familiarity with tools like Python, Java, or cloud platforms.
What job categories do people searching Microsoft Computer Science jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Microsoft Computer Science jobs in California are:
Infographic showing various Microsoft Computer Science job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,020 per year, or $39.4 per hour.
Senior Applied Scientist

Senior Applied Scientist

Microsoft

Mountain View, CA • On-site

$160K - $261K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

49th of 191 rated software companies


Job description

Overview
We seek a Senior Applied Scientist with expertise in Machine Learning, Generative AI, Agentic Modeling, Data Science, or related areas. The ideal candidate should be passionate about generative modeling, experimental prompt tuning, and large-scale modeling optimization. The candidate should have hands-on experience on working with LLMs, or SLMs such as Qwen, Llama or its variants. Microsoft AI unites product, engineering, and science teams to advance Bing and Consumer Copilot, aiming to provide the best generative search experience through advanced AI/ML technologies and innovative AI features.
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.
Starting January 26, 2026, Microsoft AI (MAI) employees who live within a 50- mile commute of a designated Microsoft office in the U.S. or 25-mile commute of a non-U.S., country-specific location are expected to work from the office at least four days per week. This expectation is subject to local law and may vary by jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
  • Building and owning production machine learning models to improve results.
  • Working hands on with SOTA generative models like Qwen, Llama, Mistral, GPT and others, to deliver big impact.
  • Finding insights and forming hypothesis on large-scale data with various machine learning, feature engineering, statistical, and data mining techniques: e.g. regression, classification, NLP, optimization.
  • Professional working experience on prompt engineering with large LLMs like GPT, Gemini, Claude etc.
  • Designing experiments, understanding the resulting data, and producing actionable, trustworthy conclusions from them.
  • Wrangling large amounts of data (think petabytes) using various tools, including open-source ones and your own. All programming languages are welcome, especially Python, C#, R, C++, Java, and SQL.
  • Taking complex problems and the associated data and giving the answers in a concise form to assist senior executives in making key business decisions.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor'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 Master's Degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 3+ years related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
    • OR Doctorate in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 1+ year(s) related experience (e.g., statistics, predictive analytics, research)
    • OR equivalent 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 Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related field AND 6+ 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.
  • Proficient oral and writing skills.

#MicrosoftAI #ML #GenAI
Applied Sciences IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $119,800.00 - $234,700.00 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 $160,200.00 - $261,000.00 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.

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About Microsoft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

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