About the Role
About The CompanyOptum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, is a global organization dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovative technology solutions. Our mission is to improve health outcomes by connecting individuals with the care, pharmacy benefits, data, and resources they need to live healthier lives. We foster a culture rooted in inclusion, collaboration, and continuous growth, offering talented peers, comprehensive benefits, and ample career development opportunities. Our commitment to advancing health optimization on a global scale positions us as a leader in healthcare innovation, making a tangible impact on communities worldwide.About The RoleWe are seeking a highly skilled Lead AI/ML Engineer to join our dynamic team. In this role, you will be at the forefront of embedding artificial intelligence directly into clinical workflows, specifically within Utilization Management (UM) and Care Management (CM). Your expertise will drive the design, development, and deployment of pragmatic AI solutions that are actively integrated into healthcare processes, rather than confined to research or sandbox environments. You will work closely with clinical leaders, business stakeholders, and operations teams to identify high-impact pain points and develop scalable, production-ready AI applications that enhance efficiency, quality, and clinician experience. This position offers the opportunity to influence technical direction, mentor junior engineers, and operationalize AI responsibly within a regulated healthcare setting. The role supports remote work within the U.S., with specific in-office requirements for employees in Minneapolis or Washington, D.C.Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field, or 4+ years of equivalent software engineering experience
• 7+ years of professional full-stack software development experience
• 3+ years of experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and cloud-native deployment models
• 3+ years of experience with Next.js, React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architectures
• 3+ years of backend development experience with Node.js or similar frameworks
• 3+ years of experience working with PostgreSQL or other relational databases
• 3+ years of experience deploying applications on Microsoft Azure (App Services, Containers, Functions, Storage, AI services, etc.)
• 3+ years of experience with RESTful APIs, authentication, authorization, and secure application design
• 2+ years of experience integrating AI/LLMs into applications, including prompt engineering and API orchestrationResponsibilities
• Design, develop, and maintain full-stack applications utilizing Next.js, React, and modern TypeScript patterns
• Build and integrate large language model (LLM) powered capabilities such as summarization, search, virtual assistants, and decision support tools
• Design and optimize backend services and APIs for scalability, reliability, and security
• Develop and manage data models and queries using PostgreSQL, ensuring high performance and data integrity
• Deploy, monitor, and operate applications on Microsoft Azure, leveraging services like App Services, Containers, and AI tools
• Implement best practices for cloud architecture, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and cost management
• Collaborate with system architects and AI engineers on system design, model integration, and platform capabilities
• Write clean, testable, and well-documented code; lead code reviews and uphold technical standards
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering technical growth and knowledge sharing within the team
• Participate in technical decision-making processes and contribute to the continuous improvement of AI solutionsBenefits
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Retirement plans including 401(k) with company match
• Incentive and recognition programs
• Equity stock purchase options
• Paid time off and holiday leave
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote work opportunities
• Professional development and career growth programsEqual OpportunityUnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.