Lead AI/ML Engineer - Remote

Requisition Number: 2392101
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.
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 lead AI application architecture for ECS Big Bets and AI 10.0 initiatives, ensuring scalability, security, and compliance
• Design frameworks and patterns for LLMs, agentic workflows, multi-agent systems, and RAG-based solutions
• Provide thought leadership on AI technologies and best practices across the enterprise
• Stay hands-on for critical coding and integration tasks, ensuring technical depth and quality
• Collaborate with product, engineering, and compliance teams to align architecture with business and regulatory requirements
• Drive performance optimization, observability, and reliability for AI applications
• Establish governance standards, documentation, and reusable components for AI development
• Mentor senior engineers and guide teams on architectural decisions and advanced AI techniques
• Evaluate emerging AI tools and frameworks to future-proof enterprise solutions

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:

• 10+ years of software engineering experience
• 5+ years leading enterprise AI/ML architecture and platform initiatives
• 5+ years designing and deploying production AI solutions utilizing LLMs, Agentic AI, RAG, and MLOps capabilities
• Deep expertise in cloud-native architectures, distributed systems, Kubernetes, CI/CD, and AI platform engineering
• Demonstrated experience defining architectural standards, AI governance practices, and reusable design patterns for large-scale AI solutions.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored visa sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, TN, F-1/OPT, CPT, or other employment-based visa status

Preferred Qualifications:

• AI Dojo Certification or equivalent advanced AI training
• Experience in healthcare workflows and enterprise-grade AI deployments
• Ability to lead technical teams, provide architectural guidance, and mentor senior engineers
• Solid understanding of compliance, governance, and ethical AI standards
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional 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 $145,500 - $249,500 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 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.