Senior Director Software Engineering - Digital Transformation, AI

Optum; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 7,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Senior Director of Software Engineering to lead Digital Transformation, AI initiatives, and platform modernization across critical healthcare technology. You will drive strategy, architecture, and execution for clinical, client, and operational systems while guiding large, distributed engineering teams in a highly regulated environment.

You will partner with Product, Clinical, and Operations leaders to deliver scalable, secure, and innovative solutions, focusing on AI-enabled

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 16+ years of progressive technology leadership experience leading large-scale software engineering and mission-critical platforms.
• Experience delivering complex enterprise applications in regulated industries (healthcare, PBM, insurance, finance).
• Experience leading geographically distributed engineering teams across US and global models.
• Expertise in digital transformation, modernizing legacy tech, governance, and security controls.
• Proven AI experience, including Agentic AI and Generative AI methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of cloud-native architectures, microservices, APIs, DevSecOps, and site reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, architecture, delivery, modernization, and operational excellence of key platforms.
• Own end-to-end technology outcomes across clinical programs and pharmacy-related systems.
• Translate business priorities into scalable, secure tech solutions with leadership teams.
• Drive large-scale modernization, cloud transformation, and debt reduction.
• Champion AI-first engineering and build Digital Workers to augment processes.
• Develop and inspire high-performing, geographically distributed teams.
• Promote a product-centric, secure-by-design, data-driven engineering culture.

Skills

Strategy & architecture

Cloud-native

DevSecOps

Platform engineering

AI and Generative AI

Executive leadership

Stakeholder management

Distributed teams

Regulated environments

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

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

Job Description - Senior Director Software Engineering - Digital Transformation, AI (2375618)

Senior Director Software Engineering - Digital Transformation, AI - 2375618

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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, architecture, delivery, modernization, and operational excellence of OptumRx Clinical Technology Platforms, Client & Operations Experience platforms, and the Pharmacy Portal
• Own end-to-end technology outcomes across clinical programs, utilization management, decision support, client self-service, operational workflows, and pharmacy-facing capabilities
• Partner closely with Product, Clinical, Operations, and Executive leadership to translate business priorities into scalable, secure, and innovative technology solutions
• Drive large-scale modernization initiatives, including cloud transformation, platform simplification, technical debt reduction, and adoption of modern engineering practices
• Champion an AI-first engineering strategy by leveraging Agentic AI and AI-DLC capabilities to automate workflows, improve decision-making, enhance user experiences, and increase operational efficiency
• Lead the design and implementation of Digital Workers that augment clinical, client, and operational processes while ensuring safety, compliance, trust, and regulatory adherence
• Build, develop, and inspire high-performing engineering teams across multiple locations, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Establish and promote a modern engineering culture that is product-centric, platform-oriented, secure-by-design, data-driven, and AI-enabled
• Ensure delivery excellence through predictable execution, effective portfolio management, strong governance, and proactive risk management across business-critical programs
• Maintain high standards for application reliability, performance, scalability, resiliency, and production stability
• Drive simplification of complex business and technology processes to accelerate time-to-market and improve customer, client, and operational experiences
• Provide executive-level technology leadership and influence strategic decisions that support business growth, affordability goals, regulatory commitments, and market competitiveness
• Ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, security requirements, audit standards, and enterprise governance policies

Develop future technology leaders and create a culture focused on talent growth, engagement, inclusion, and organizational excellence

• 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

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 16+ years of progressive technology leadership experience, including leading large-scale software engineering organizations and mission-critical platforms
• Proven experience delivering complex enterprise applications within highly regulated, healthcare, pharmacy benefit management (PBM), insurance, financial services, or similarly complex industries
• Experience leading large, geographically distributed engineering teams across U.S. and global delivery models
• Solid experience driving digital transformation initiatives and modernizing legacy technology landscapes
• Experience establishing governance, risk management, security controls, and compliance processes for regulated technology environments
• Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of Artificial Intelligence, Agentic AI, Generative AI, and AI-assisted software development methodologies
• Deep understanding of modern software engineering practices, including cloud-native architectures, microservices, APIs, DevSecOps, platform engineering, and site reliability principles
• Demonstrated success leading end-to-end software delivery, including strategy, architecture, engineering, quality, platform operations, and modernization
• Proven track record of translating emerging technologies into measurable business outcomes, including improvements in efficiency, quality, customer experience, and operational performance
• Proven exceptional executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills, with the ability to partner effectively across business, clinical, operations, and technology functions
• Proven solid strategic thinking and business acumen, coupled with the ability to drive execution and deliver results in complex and ambiguous environments
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams, develop talent, and create a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Demonstrated success balancing long-term vision with operational excellence and delivery rigor
• Proven passion for leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, client experiences, operational effectiveness, and business performance at scale

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.

Job Field

Technology

Organization

OG Adv APAC-1

Other Locations

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.