Director, AI/ML Engineering

Requisition Number: 2393124
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.
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:

• Lead the vision, architecture, and execution of the Prior Authorization AI/ML roadmap
• Define and drive AI-native operating models across the authorization
• Partner with business, clinical, operations, product, and technology leaders to identify high-value AI opportunities
• Develop strategic investment plans, technical roadmaps, and delivery priorities aligned to business objective
• Serve as the organization's senior technical authority for AI, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and intelligent automation
• Design and build scalable AI platforms and reusable services
• Lead technical design reviews and ensure engineering excellence
• Be actively involved in the design, development, and production deployment of AI solutions
• Lead rapid experimentation, proof of concepts, pilots, and production releases
• Own end-to-end delivery accountability from ideation through production support
• Define standards for model governance, explainability, auditability, and transparency
• Establish monitoring frameworks to evaluate accuracy, drift, bias, safety, and compliance
• Ensure alignment with healthcare regulatory requirements and organizational AI governance policies
• Create repeatable frameworks for safe deployment and operationalization of AI solutions
• Mentor technical leaders and foster an AI-first engineering culture
• Establish best practices around experimentation, model development, deployment, and continuous learning

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 in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or related discipline
• 12+ years of software engineering experience
• 7+ years leading AI/ML engineering teams
• 5+ years delivering enterprise-scale AI solutions in production
• Experience designing, building, and deploying solutions using Large Language Models (LLMs), Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and agentic AI frameworks in production environments
• Demonstrated expertise in AI platform architecture and engineering on cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and/or Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Proven ability to translate complex business challenges into technical solutions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Healthcare, PBM, Utilization Management, Prior Authorization, or Clinical Operations experience
• Experience building decision-support platforms in regulated environments
• Knowledge of healthcare interoperability standards

*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 $176,700 - $302,900 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.
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