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 to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Serving as a hands-on Software Architect / Lead Software Engineer within Optum Insight Engineering (Optum Insight Eng AI), you will define and own the architectural vision, technical standards, and documentation for core software applications across the business. In this role, you will provide solid technical direction and hands-on guidance to globally distributed engineering teams (US and India), ensuring application design, APIs, and coding practices remain fully aligned with enterprise standards. You will drive modern application design leveraging Java, Angular, and multi-cloud architectures (AWS and Azure), while actively building and integrating advanced AI capabilities (such as Azure AI) to deliver intelligent solutions and continuous automations across enterprise platforms.
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:
- Define and own the technical architecture, design patterns, and technical roadmaps for enterprise software applications in line with Optum Insight Engineering guidelines
- Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions and capabilities to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on the responsible use of AI
- Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and drive continuous improvement across software engineering processes
- Evaluate emerging technologies, frameworks, and AI trends to inform solution design, optimize application performance, and drive strategic technical innovation
- Provide hands-on technical direction, architectural guidance, and leadership to global engineering teams (US and India) across Java and Angular applications
- Establish, maintain, and enforce engineering best practices, coding standards, API designs, and comprehensive technical documentation
- Architect and support resilient solutions across multi-cloud environments (AWS and Azure) as well as hybrid on-premise infrastructure
- Conduct hands-on code reviews, develop technical proof-of-concepts, and drive complex architectural problem-solving across core applications
- Partner with product management and leadership to translate business objectives into scalable, secure, and maintainable software architectures
- Mentor and coach software engineers across global locations, raising technical standards and fostering engineering excellence across the organization
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 4+ years of software development experience in lieu of a degree
- 8+ years of software engineering experience, including significant experience in a technical leadership or software architect capacity
- 5+ years of hands-on backend software architecture and development experience using Java technologies
- 3+ years of frontend architectural experience using Angular or modern JavaScript frameworks
- 3+ years of experience designing and managing applications in cloud environments (AWS and Azure)
- 3+ years of experience establishing API standards, microservices design, and technical documentation guidelines
- Demonstrated experience designing, building, and deploying AI technologies and automated tools within enterprise software applications
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related technical field
- Experience with Azure AI services, machine learning integrations, or enterprise artificial intelligence frameworks
- Experience or familiarity with the Palantir platform or advanced enterprise data analytics platforms
- Experience with CI/CD automation pipelines, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and DevOps practices
- Proven experience providing architectural guidance and leading engineering initiatives across globally distributed teams (e.g., US and India)
- Proven excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to guide teams through technical change and present architectural trade-offs to business leadership
*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 $112,700 - $193,200 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 make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.
UnitedHealth Group is 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 is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or 4+ years of software development experience in lieu of a degree
- 8+ years of software engineering experience, including significant technical leadership or software architect experience
- 5+ years of hands-on backend software architecture and development experience using Java technologies
- 3+ years of frontend architectural experience using Angular or modern JavaScript frameworks
- 3+ years of experience designing and managing applications in AWS and Azure cloud environments
- 3+ years of experience establishing API standards, microservices design, and technical documentation guidelines
- Experience designing, building, and deploying AI technologies and automated tools within enterprise software applications
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience with Azure AI services, machine learning integrations, or enterprise artificial intelligence frameworks
- Experience with the Palantir platform or advanced enterprise data analytics platforms
- Experience with CI/CD automation pipelines, containerization, Docker, Kubernetes, and DevOps practices
- Experience providing architectural guidance and leading engineering initiatives across globally distributed teams
- Excellent communication skills and ability to guide teams through technical change and present architectural trade-offs to business leadership
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave (six weeks), paid caregiver leave (up to two weeks), Bright Horizons back-up care, and adoption assistance up to $10,000 are prominently included. Feedback suggests these family supports meaningfully aid work-life balance and are often highlighted as strengths.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is available to all employees, including part-time staff, alongside other financial protections like disability and life insurance. Feedback suggests broad access and matching make retirement support a core pillar of the package.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An Employee Stock Purchase Plan offers discounted company stock, with some roles also eligible for sign-on or performance bonuses. Feedback suggests the ESPP is a standout financial perk that helps employees build ownership over time.
Optum Insights
What We Do
Optum, part of the UnitedHealth Group family of businesses, is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together. At Optum, we support your well-being with an understanding team, extensive benefits and rewarding opportunities. By joining us, you’ll have the resources to drive system transformation while we help you take care of your future. We recognize the power of connection to drive change, improve efficiency and make a difference in health care. Join a team where your skills and ideas can make an impact and where collaboration is key to creating technology that produces healthier outcomes.
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Optum Offices
Hybrid Workspace
Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.
Optum has three workplace models that balance the needs of the business and the responsibilities of each role. These models, core on‑site (5 days/week), hybrid (4 days/week) and telecommute or fully remote, vary by country, role and location.