About the Role
About The Company
Optum is a global organization dedicated to delivering innovative healthcare solutions through the integration of advanced technology. Our mission is to help millions of people live healthier lives by providing access to quality care, pharmacy benefits, data, and resources that promote well-being. At Optum, we foster a culture of inclusion, continuous learning, and professional growth, supported by comprehensive benefits and opportunities for career development. Our commitment to advancing health outcomes on a global scale makes us a leader in healthcare innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact on communities worldwide as we work together to enhance health optimization and deliver better patient experiences.
About The Role
We are seeking a highly skilled Lead AI/ML Engineer to join our dynamic team focused on transforming clinical workflows through pragmatic AI solutions. In this role, you will be instrumental in embedding artificial intelligence directly into Utilization Management (UM) and Care Management (CM) processes, where real decisions impact patient care daily. Your responsibilities will include designing and deploying AI models that automate and enhance clinical decision-making, reducing manual effort for healthcare professionals such as nurses and care managers. This position offers the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the United States and involves close collaboration with clinical leaders, business stakeholders, and technical teams to develop scalable, production-ready AI solutions that deliver measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and clinician experience.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience (4+ years)
• Minimum of 8 years of professional software engineering experience, including full-stack development
• At least 4 years of experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and cloud-native deployment
• Extensive experience (4+ years) with Next.js, React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architectures
• Proven backend development expertise (4+ years) with Node.js or similar frameworks
• Strong experience (4+ years) with relational databases such as PostgreSQL
• Hands-on experience (4+ years) deploying applications on Microsoft Azure cloud platform
• At least 2 years of experience integrating AI/LLMs into applications, including prompt engineering, orchestration, and API usage
• Experience (2+ years) working with RESTful APIs, authentication, authorization, and secure application design
Responsibilities
• Design, develop, and maintain full-stack applications utilizing Next.js, React, and TypeScript, ensuring high performance and scalability
• Build and integrate large language model (LLM)-powered capabilities such as summarization, search, decision support, and virtual assistants using industry-standard AI frameworks and APIs
• Design and optimize backend services and APIs to ensure reliability, security, and scalability
• Develop and manage data models and queries with PostgreSQL, focusing on data integrity and performance
• Deploy, monitor, and operate applications on Microsoft Azure cloud services, including App Services, Containers, Functions, and AI offerings
• Implement best practices for cloud architecture, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and cost management
• Collaborate with architects and AI engineers on system design, model integration, and platform capabilities
• Write clean, well-documented, and testable code; lead code reviews and uphold technical standards
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering technical growth and guiding solution development
• Ensure AI solutions are operationalized responsibly within a regulated healthcare environment, adhering to compliance standards
Benefits
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Competitive salary ranging from $112,700 to $193,200 annually, based on experience and qualifications
• Incentive and recognition programs
• Equity stock purchase options
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contributions
• Flexible remote work environment within the United States
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Paid time off and wellness programs
Equal Opportunity
UnitedHealth Group and Optum are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. All employees working remotely are required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy. We are a drug-free workplace, and candidates must pass a drug test prior to employment.