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.
As a Senior Manager of AI/ML Engineering within the UHC Operations and Experience technology team at Optum Technology, you will lead a high-performing engineering team dedicated to building, scaling, and deploying innovative artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions. In this role, you will partner closely with business leaders, product managers, and enterprise architects to translate operational and customer experience goals into cutting-edge AI-driven solutions. You will drive technical direction, foster engineering excellence, oversee MLOps and software development lifecycles, and mentor engineering talent to deliver high-impact technology that optimizes operations and enhances healthcare experiences.
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, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on building, deploying, and maintaining enterprise AI/ML solutions and platforms
- Partner with business, product, and architecture stakeholders across UHC Operations and Experience to define technology roadmaps, system architectures, and engineering strategy
- Drive continuous improvement in MLOps, software engineering practices, code quality, automated testing, continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD), and model governance
- Oversee technical architecture, design decisions, resource allocation, project scheduling, and risk mitigation across all team deliverables
- Ensure AI/ML solutions adhere to enterprise data security, privacy, governance, and regulatory compliance standards
- Establish engineering KPIs and operational metrics to evaluate model performance, system availability, and team productivity
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, a related field, or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, or AI/ML engineering with Java Spring Boot
- 5+ years of experience with core programming languages (e.g. Java)
- 3+ years of experience managing, leading, or mentoring engineering teams
- 2+ years of hands-on experience designing, building, and deploying AI/ML models, large language models (LLMs), RAG, etc.
- 2+ years of experience with cloud platform infrastructure (e.g., Azure, AWS, or GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker or Kubernetes)
- Proven track record managing the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) within agile delivery methodologies
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience in healthcare technology, specifically within healthcare operations, claims processing, or consumer digital experience
- Demonstrated expertise in MLOps automation, large-scale data engineering tools (e.g., Spark, Databricks), or Generative AI / Large Language Models (LLMs)
- Solid executive presentation, strategic thinking, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills
*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 $148,900 - $255,300 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of progressive experience in software engineering or AI/ML engineering with Java Spring Boot
- 5+ years of experience with core programming languages such as Java
- 3+ years of experience managing, leading, or mentoring engineering teams
- 2+ years of hands-on experience designing, building, and deploying AI/ML models, large language models, and RAG solutions
- 2+ years of experience with cloud platform infrastructure such as Azure, AWS, or GCP
- 2+ years of experience with containerization technologies such as Docker or Kubernetes
- Proven experience managing the full software development lifecycle within agile delivery methodologies
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related technical field
- Experience in healthcare technology, healthcare operations, claims processing, or consumer digital experience
- Expertise in MLOps automation, large-scale data engineering tools such as Spark or Databricks, or generative AI and LLMs
- Executive presentation, strategic thinking, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills
Optum Compensation & Benefits Highlights
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO is generally described as decent or good, and many note it as a strong part of the package. Actual ability to take time off can depend on workload and team coverage.
-
Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with employer match and access to an employee stock purchase plan, which are highlighted as meaningful components of total rewards. These programs are consistently referenced among core benefits.
-
Parental & Family Support — Parental and caregiver leave, along with adoption assistance, are publicly highlighted and viewed as notable elements of the package. Availability can be role-specific, but these supports contribute to overall breadth where offered.
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.
Gallery
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.