AI/ML Engineer - Remote

About The Company

Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, is a leading global organization dedicated to transforming healthcare through innovative technology solutions. Our mission is to help millions of people live healthier lives by delivering care that is accessible, efficient, and personalized. We leverage cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics to improve health outcomes, optimize operational efficiencies, and reduce costs across various healthcare sectors. Our inclusive culture fosters collaboration, continuous learning, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact on communities worldwide. With comprehensive benefits, career development opportunities, and a focus on innovation, Optum is a place where talented professionals can thrive and contribute to the future of healthcare.

About The Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead AI/ML Engineer to join our Connect team, which is focused on building an AI-first platform for value-based care. In this role, you will provide technical leadership in designing, developing, and deploying scalable AI and machine learning solutions that address complex clinical, operational, and financial challenges in healthcare. You will work on advanced projects involving Generative AI, RAG-based systems, conversational agents, and automation workflows that enhance provider performance, care outcomes, and cost management. This position offers the flexibility to work remotely within the United States, with specific in-office requirements for candidates based in Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and evaluate emerging AI technologies to ensure the delivery of innovative, reliable, and responsible AI solutions that align with our strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field with 6+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree with 4+ years, or PhD with 3+ years
• Minimum 3 years of experience in building, validating, tuning, and evaluating classical ML, deep learning, and Generative AI models
• At least 3 years of professional experience coding in Python and utilizing modern AI/ML libraries
• 2+ years of experience deploying AI systems using RAG frameworks, vector databases, or orchestration libraries such as LangChain or LangGraph
• Proficiency in deploying, managing, and operating MLOps workloads on cloud platforms like Azure or AWS, including containerization
• Strong understanding of software engineering practices, including version control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and code reviews
• Experience with developing APIs (e.g., FastAPI, REST) for scalable AI service deployment
• Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms, Databricks, and PySpark

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, architecture, and implementation of AI/ML, GenAI, RAG-based, and agentic solutions from concept to deployment
• Apply advanced machine learning, deep learning, statistical, and Generative AI techniques to solve complex healthcare-related problems
• Build, validate, optimize, and fine-tune AI/ML models, including performance tuning, quantization, and cost optimization strategies
• Develop and maintain production-grade APIs to expose AI capabilities at scale, ensuring high availability and reliability
• Own MLOps practices, including model versioning, lifecycle management, CI/CD integration, monitoring, and drift detection
• Deploy AI workloads on cloud platforms, utilizing containerization, Databricks, and modern data engineering tools
• Establish and enforce engineering best practices related to software quality, security, responsible AI, and code reviews
• Collaborate with product managers, data scientists, clinical teams, and business stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable technical solutions
• Mentor engineering team members and evaluate emerging AI tools and technologies to enhance platform capabilities
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to automate workflows, streamline development processes, and foster continuous improvement

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Competitive salary ranging from $145,500 to $249,500 annually, based on experience and location
• Incentive and recognition programs to reward performance
• Equity stock purchase options and 401(k) retirement plan contributions
• Flexible remote work arrangements within the U.S.
• Career development opportunities and ongoing training programs
• Paid time off and holiday leave
• Supportive and inclusive workplace culture