Principal Data Scientist

Optum; Dadri; Vor Ort; INR 4.000.000 - 7.000.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Optum is seeking an Associate Director, Data Science to lead a team of data scientists and AIML experts in India. You will shape strategy, mentor leaders, and deliver AI-driven analytics that improve payment integrity and clinical outcomes.

Responsibilities include building scalable predictive models, deploying in production, ensuring Responsible AI, and partnering with stakeholders to drive adoption of analytics across healthcare domains.

Qualifikationen

• Graduate degree in a quantitative field; Master’s/PhD preferred.
• 12+ years in Data Science/Analytics with 6+ years leading teams.
• 8+ years hands-on programming in Python, R, SAS, SQL, and distributed computing.

Aufgaben

• Lead and guide a team of Data Scientists and AIML experts delivering AI/Analytics solutions.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and ensure timely delivery of scalable solutions.
• Partner with stakeholders to identify high-value opportunities and drive adoption of outputs.
• Drive end-to-end AIML lifecycle: problem formulation, data exploration, feature engineering, model development, validation, deployment, monitoring.
• Implement governance, risk management, and responsible AI practices within the team.
• Stay current on AI/ML advancements and share knowledge to elevate capabilities.

Kenntnisse

Team leadership

Python

R

SAS

SQL

Azure AI

Azure Databricks

Machine Learning

Deep Learning

NLP

MLOps

Model Governance

Responsible AI

Communication

Ausbildung

Master's or PhD in Engineering/Math/CS/AI

12+ years Data Science/Analytics

Tools

Azure AI

Azure Databricks

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Hugging Face

LangChain

LangGraph

CI/CD

Jobbeschreibung

Improve the lives of others while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Job Description - Principal Data Scientist (2392883)

Principal Data Scientist - 2392883

Optum 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.

Job Description:

• As Associate Director, Data Science, this leader will manage and guide a team (or significant workstream) within the Payment Integrity Decision Intelligence (PIDI) Data Science and AIML Analytics India organization. The role focuses on executing data science and AI-led initiatives, delivering analytical excellence, and generating measurable business value across clinical and non-clinical payment integrity programs through a high-performing team of data scientists and AIML professionals
• The leader will foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement while implementing best practices for model development, validation, monitoring, and performance optimization. They will collaborate closely with the Director and global analytics and data science teams
• Responsible for advancing PIDI analytical capabilities by leading the development, refinement, and deployment of predictive and prescriptive models that uncover actionable opportunities and drive measurable business outcomes, aligned with the broader team strategy

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage a team of Data Scientists and AIML experts (or a major portfolio of initiatives), providing day-to-day direction, mentoring, coaching, and performance management to deliver AI, Machine Learning, and Advanced Analytics solutions that support payment integrity outcomes and business value
• Contribute to team vision, priorities, and execution roadmaps in partnership with the Director; translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and ensure on-time, high-quality delivery of scalable analytical solutions
• Partner with business, operations, clinical, product, and technology stakeholders to identify high-value opportunities, influence solution design, and drive adoption of data science and AIML outputs across clinical and non-clinical value streams
• Drive and contribute hands-on to the end-to-end AIML lifecycle for assigned areas, including problem formulation, data exploration, feature engineering, model development, validation, deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement. Focus areas include detection of Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Error (FWAE), outliers or aberrant billing patterns, overpayments, gaps, and leakage opportunities
• Implement and strengthen model performance, governance, and value-realization practices within the team’s scope, including success metrics, monitoring strategies, financial impact assessment, model validation, and optimization to maximize sustainable savings and outcomes
• Champion and apply advanced analytics and AI methodologies—including machine learning, deep learning, predictive and prescriptive analytics, anomaly detection, simulation, and statistical modeling to solve complex healthcare and payment integrity challenges
• Support applied research, innovation, and modernization efforts by evaluating emerging fraud and abuse patterns, next-generation AI techniques, and analytical approaches, and by helping translate experimentation into production-ready solutions that improve detection accuracy and operational efficiency
• Uphold and operationalize Responsible AI practices, including data compliance, AIRB processes, model risk management, Explainability, guardrails, and human-in-the-loop oversight, ensuring safe, ethical, and business-aligned deployment of AIML solutions
• Stay current with advancements in Data Science, AIML, Healthcare Analytics, and Payment Integrity, and actively share knowledge to elevate team capabilities and contribute to organizational innovation
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate (Master's/PhD preferred) degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related quantitative discipline
• 12+ years of experience in Data Science, Advanced Analytics, AIML, and predictive modeling, with 6+ years leading teams, projects, or significant workstreams
• 8+ years of hands-on programming experience using Python, R, SAS, SQL, and distributed computing frameworks, including statistical and research-oriented analysis of diverse data types to build or optimize predictive methods
• Solid hands-on experience applying machine learning in healthcare or other high-stakes domains
• Proven experience designing and delivering AIML solutions from concept through production deployment and business adoption
• Experience with cloud-based AIML platforms such as Azure AI, Azure Databricks, or equivalent
• Solid expertise in Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and familiarity with Generative AI technologies
• Working knowledge of MLOps, Model Governance, Responsible AI, Model Monitoring, AI Risk Management, and AIRB frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to partner with senior stakeholders and business leaders to translate complex problems into practical, scalable AI solutions
• Proven solid communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills with the ability to influence decisions and drive alignment

Preferred Qualifications:

• People leadership experience
• Direct experience in a cloud environment
• Experience with Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI, Copilot, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), AI automation, and ML engineering tools/frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LangChain, or LangGraph
• Experience deploying machine learning models at scale with CI/CD, automated monitoring, observability, and model lifecycle management
• Experience supporting AI-driven product development, innovation programs, or research-to-production initiatives
• Exposure to AIML system design, solution architecture, enterprise integration patterns, APIs, and microservices-based deployments
• Knowledge of data platforms and big data technologies including Snowflake, Databricks, Spark, Synapse Analytics, Microsoft Fabric, or Hadoop ecosystems
• Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt/Kaizen) or similar continuous improvement methodologies

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 committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation for any part of the application process, please call 1-866-566-8715 to be connected to Recruitment Services. Recruitment Services hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

UnitedHealth Group is a registered service mark of UnitedHealth Group, Inc. The UnitedHealth Group name with the dimensional logo, as well as the dimensional logo alone, are both service marks for the UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.