AI/ML Engineer - Remote

About The Company

Optum Insight, a leading division within UnitedHealth Group, is dedicated to transforming the healthcare industry by improving the flow of health data and information. Our mission is to create a more connected healthcare system that enhances care delivery, reduces friction, and aligns care providers, payers, and consumers. With a focus on innovative technology and industry expertise, we empower organizations to reduce costs, improve risk management, enhance quality, and drive revenue growth. Our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge solutions and data-driven insights enables us to make a meaningful impact on millions of lives globally. We foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and growth, offering our team members opportunities to develop their careers while contributing to meaningful healthcare advancements.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead AI/ML Engineer to join our AI Platform Team within Optum AI. In this role, you will be responsible for designing and developing scalable, reliable, and innovative AI systems aimed at improving patient care. This is a technical leadership position that requires hands-on involvement in the full lifecycle of AI/ML initiatives, from problem definition and data exploration to model deployment and active monitoring. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams including product managers, data scientists, and software engineers to translate complex business requirements into effective AI solutions. Your expertise will help shape our long-term technical strategy, evaluate emerging AI/ML trends, and mentor junior engineers. The role offers the flexibility to work remotely within the U.S., with some in-office requirements for employees based in Minneapolis or Washington, D.C.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field, or 4+ years of equivalent software engineering experience
• 12+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Data Science, or Analytics, with at least 3+ years dedicated to AI/ML engineering
• 4+ years of experience in a team lead or technical leadership role
• 4+ years of hands-on Python programming experience
• 4+ years of experience with modern cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• 1+ years of experience leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) or developing generative AI solutions
• Experience designing and delivering at least two complete AI products from conception to production

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the design, development, and deployment of end-to-end AI/ML systems that extract critical insights from healthcare data
• Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, and software engineers to translate business needs into scalable AI solutions
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered applications to address complex healthcare challenges with a focus on responsible AI use
• Leverage enterprise-approved tools to streamline engineering workflows, automate routine tasks, and ensure code quality through reviews and testing
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, maintainable, and efficient code, setting standards for technical excellence
• Drive architectural decisions and contribute to the strategic direction of AI/ML systems, evaluating emerging trends and research
• Manage the full lifecycle of AI initiatives, from problem framing and data exploration to agent development, deployment, and monitoring
• Define project scope, success metrics, and milestones, executing with engineering rigor through CI/CD pipelines and quality gates
• Stay current with advances in AI/ML technologies, fostering a culture of innovation through experimentation and data-driven decision-making
• Act as a technical advisor and mentor to engineering team members, reviewing work and supporting professional growth

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Competitive salary range from $145,500 to $249,500 annually
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Equity stock purchase programs
• Incentive and recognition programs
• Flexible remote work options, with in-office requirements for certain locations
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth

Equal Opportunity

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to these factors. We adhere to all applicable laws and regulations to ensure fair and equitable treatment in our hiring practices.