Sr AI/ML Data Engineer Remote or Office-Based in MN/DC

Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care's most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

We are seeking a Senior AI/ML Software Engineer to build AI-powered data products and modern digital experiences across our analytics and healthcare platforms. This is a hands-on full-stack engineering role focused on developing intelligent applications for Compass reporting and the Quality & Patient Safety (QPS) platform. The individual will be responsible for building frontend experiences, backend services, AI/ML capabilities, and cloud-native data solutions that enable self-service analytics, operational insights, and quality improvement initiatives.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy AI/ML and Generative AI solutions using LLMs, RAG, agents, and modern AI frameworks
• Build scalable full-stack applications using React, TypeScript, JavaScript, Java/Spring Boot, Python, REST APIs, and SQL
• Develop intuitive user experiences, dashboards, reporting solutions, and AI-enabled workflows
• Build and enhance self-service analytics, reporting, and data exploration capabilities
• Develop applications supporting quality, patient safety, benchmarking, insights, action management, and workflow automation
• Integrate applications with enterprise data platforms and cloud-native data ecosystems
• Design and implement microservices, APIs, data models, and event-driven architectures
• Apply engineering best practices including CI/CD, automated testing, observability, security, and performance optimization
• Collaborate with product, analytics, business, and platform teams to deliver high-quality solutions
• Provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and contribute to architecture and technology decisions
• You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience
• 5+ years of experience building production-grade data platforms and pipelines using Python or Java, SQL, Spark/PySpark, and Databricks or equivalent technologies
• 3+ years of experience designing batch, streaming, and event-driven data solutions using cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
• 2+ years of experience delivering production Generative AI solutions, including RAG, retrieval, evaluation, monitoring, and AI/ML deployment enablement
• 2+ years of experience with modern data engineering practices, including data quality and observability, metadata, lineage, and governance
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, influence cross-functional teams, and translate ambiguous requirements into scalable solutions

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, Delta Lake, or similar cloud data platforms

Experience with Generative AI architectures, including RAG, vector search, and model evaluation frameworks

Experience with streaming technologies such as Kafka, Event Hubs, or Kinesis

Experience with MLOps capabilities including feature stores, model registries, and deployment automation

Experience with data quality and observability platforms

Familiarity with metadata-driven architectures, knowledge graphs, or entity resolution concepts

Experience in healthcare data, analytics, and PII/PHI-compliant solutions

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $120,100 - $214,500 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.