Artificial Intelligence Innovation Development Program (AIIDP) - Start Date: July 12, 2027

The Cigna Group; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cigna Group in Raleigh, NC is offering an AI Innovation Development Program Associate role, a multi-rotation, build-first program for new grads and early-career professionals. You’ll design, prototype, and deliver AI-powered solutions in a fast-moving environment, working with stakeholders to move ideas from concept to production.

You’ll gain hands-on experience across AI product development, data science, and analytics, with mentorship and a focus on real-world healthcare impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent experience.
• Experience with data and/or programming via coursework or projects.
• Familiarity with Python, SQL, or similar data tools.
• Exposure to ML/AI concepts through coursework or projects.
• Track record using AI-assisted builder tools to accelerate prototyping.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Willingness to work in fast-moving or ambiguous environments.

Responsibilities

• Build AI-powered solutions applying analytics, data science, and ML to real problems.
• Own pieces of the product development lifecycle from framing to prototype to iteration.
• Translate ideas into working solutions with cross-functional partners.
• Use AI tools to accelerate prototyping and experimentation.
• Operate in ambiguous environments, test ideas, learn quickly, and adapt.
• Develop solutions with real-world impact using healthcare data under governance.

Skills

Python

SQL

AI concepts

Data analytics

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, AI, IS, Data Science, or related field

Tools

Cursor

Claude

GitHub Copilot

Lovable

Job description

AI Innovation Development Program (AIIDP) – Full-Time Associate

At The Cigna Group, data, analytics, and AI shape decisions that improve health outcomes, make care more affordable, and help build a healthcare system that works better for everyone.

The AI Innovation Development Program is a program designed to support your transition from academia to industry. This program is ideal for recent graduates and early‑career professionals who are curious, motivated, and eager to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting.

Associates in this program move through three, 12-month rotations within the AI Innovation Office, a small, high-impact team operating in a fast-moving, R&D-style environment to design, prototype, and deliver AI-powered solutions in real healthcare settings.

This is a build-first experience for individuals who enjoy creating, testing, and iterating, often with incomplete information. It is best suited for those who want to actively build AI solutions, not just support or observe development efforts. The program is designed for AI product builders who can take ideas from concept to working solutions, not just analyze them.

Program

• This is a multi-year development program built around structured rotations. All program opportunities take place within the AI Innovation Office, providing a deeply immersive experience within a single, high-impact environment.
• Over the course of the program, you will:
• Experience roles within the AI Innovation Office, gaining experience across the full lifecycle of AI product development - from idea to prototype to real-world use
• Work in a fast-moving environment where you help identify high-value problems, rapidly test ideas, and iterate based on feedback
• Contribute across both technical and product dimensions, including problem framing, prototyping, and solution refinement
• Build capability through hands‑on experience, mentorship, and real-world problem solving
• Partner with mentors, coaches, and program leaders who support your growth and development
• This is a build-first experience for individuals who enjoy creating, testing, and iterating. It is best suited candidates who are energized by creating innovative solutions, working directly with stakeholders, and seeing their ideas move from concept to production while shaping the future of AI-enabled products
• This program prepares you for a unique role at the intersection of Product development, Generative AI, AI engineering, Data Science, and Data Analytics. As an AI Product Builder, you will work in a forward‑deployed model, partnering closely with business leaders and domain experts to identify opportunities, prototype solutions, and translate emerging AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes. Associates gain hands‑on experience designing, building, testing, and refining AI-powered products that address real-world healthcare and business challenges

What You Will Do

• Build AI-powered solutions by applying analytics, data science, and machine learning techniques to real healthcare and business problems
• Own pieces of the product development lifecycle - from problem framing to prototype to iteration based on user and stakeholder feedback
• Translate ideas into working solutions by collaborating with cross-functional partners to turn concepts into tools that can be tested and used
• Use AI tools to accelerate prototyping, coding, and experimentation while building strong technical instincts
• Operate in environments where problems are not fully defined, requiring you to test ideas, learn quickly, and adapt in real time
• Develop solutions with real-world impact by working with healthcare data under appropriate governance and understanding how your work affects customers and patients

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related technical field. Equivalent quantitative degrees with relevant software development experience will also be considered.
• Experience working with data and/or programming through coursework, projects, internships, or extracurricular activities
• Familiarity with Python, SQL, or similar tools for working with data or building applications
• Exposure to analytics, machine learning, or AI concepts through coursework or projects
• Demonstrated track record using AI-assisted builder tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude, GitHub Copilot, Lovable) to accelerate rapid prototyping and 0→1 product development, with examples from academic, professional, and/or personal projects; can explain where AI helped, where you chose not to use it, and how you validated outputs.
• Strong problem-solving skills and curiosity, with a willingness to work in fast-moving or ambiguous environments
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with both technical and non-technical partners
• Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and interest in building solutions that have real-world impact

Additional Information

Locations:

This position is based in Raleigh, NC. The role requires a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of three days per week working onsite (Tuesday, Wednesday, and one additional day of the employee’s choice), and the option to work the remaining days remotely. Employees must be able to meet the onsite schedule.

Program Schedule:

You must be available to work a 40-hour work week beginning July 12, 2027. Working days are Monday – Friday.

Work Authorization:

One goal of this leadership development program is to prepare and identify qualified candidates for leadership roles with The Cigna Group upon program completion. Therefore, this position is open only to individuals who are eligible for employment in the United States and who do not now, or in the future, require visa sponsorship including, but not limited to, H-1B, CPT/OPT/STEM.

Compensation:

For this position, we anticipate offering a base salary of $86,000 with a competitive benefit package.

Pre‑Employment Requirements:

Selected candidates will be required to complete mandatory pre‑employment tasks approximately 45 days prior to the program start date. Completion of the drug test requires availability within the United States during this timeframe.

If you will be working at home occasionally or permanently, the internet connection must be obtained through a cable broadband or fiber optic internet service provider with speeds of at least 10Mbps download/5Mbps upload.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, age, disability, sex, childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital or familial status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application process, please email [e-mail] for assistance. Please note that this email inbox is dedicated to accommodation requests only and cannot provide application updates or accept resumes.

The Cigna Group has a tobacco‑free policy and reserves the right not to hire tobacco/nicotine users in states where that is legally permissible. Candidates in such states who use tobacco/nicotine will not be considered for employment unless they enter a qualifying smoking cessation program prior to the start of their employment. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington State.

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances.