Associate AI/ML Engineer

Optum; Minnetonka (MN); Remote; USD 77,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking an Associate AI/ML Engineer to join the Surest team under UHC Technology. The role focuses on designing, developing, and deploying AI/ML solutions to simplify healthcare and improve outcomes.

You will leverage Generative AI, AWS, Docker/Kubernetes, and modern data tools to build scalable model APIs and intelligent pipelines. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across the enterprise to drive delivery improvements, automate workflows, and deliver data-driven solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field.
• 1+ years of software development, ML, data science, analytics, or AI/ML engineering.
• 1+ years Python with data science libraries (Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, Databricks).
• 1+ years SQL experience, complex queries and data analysis.
• 1+ years building RESTful APIs for model inference.
• 6+ months Gen AI tools experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate ML models using Generative AI and traditional ML on AWS.
• Develop and deploy scalable Python APIs (FastAPI) for model inference on Kubernetes.
• Analyze data with Pandas/NumPy/Databricks to build predictive models and insights.
• Create AI-powered solutions addressing healthcare business challenges responsibly.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to guide solution design and innovation.
• Maintain coding standards, documentation, and performance monitoring of AI/ML pipelines.
• Use GitHub Copilot, Claude, and Git for code collaboration.

Skills

Python

Machine learning

Data analysis

REST APIs

Gen AI tools

Kubernetes

AWS

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

Databricks

Job description

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, and data they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As an Associate AI/ML Engineer within the Surest team under UHC Technology at Optum Technology, you will be part of an innovative team dedicated to designing, developing, and deploying cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions to simplify healthcare and enhance health outcomes. In this role, you will leverage advanced Generative AI frameworks, cloud services (AWS), containerization, and modern analytical tools to build scalable model APIs and end-to-end intelligent pipelines for Surest offerings. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional technical and business stakeholders to drive continuous software delivery improvements, automate workflows, and deliver impactful, data-driven solutions across our healthcare platforms.

You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and validate machine learning models using Generative AI (LLMs, agentic frameworks) and traditional ML techniques on cloud platforms (AWS)
• Write and deploy scalable Python APIs (FastAPI) for model inference running on Kubernetes, ensuring efficient containerization and orchestration of agentic flows
• Develop and optimize Python-based analytical and machine learning solutions, leveraging libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, and Databricks to perform data analysis, build predictive models, and generate actionable business insights from large-scale datasets
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex healthcare business challenges with an emphasis on responsible use of AI
• Evaluate emerging technology trends and best practices to inform solution design, architecture, and strategic innovation
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline developer workflows, automate tasks, and drive continuous software delivery improvement
• Utilize agentic coding and version control tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Claude) and Git/GitHub for efficient code creation, repository management, and technical collaboration
• Maintain rigorous coding standards, thorough documentation, and effective performance monitoring across all deployed AI/ML pipelines

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1+ years of experience in software development, machine learning, data science, analytics, or AI/ML engineering
• 1+ years of professional experience in Python using core data science, analytics, and machine learning libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, Databricks)
• 1+ years of advanced SQL experience, including complex query development, data analysis, performance optimization, data validation, and deriving business insights from large-scale datasets
• 1+ years of experience building, deploying, and maintaining RESTful APIs for machine learning or Generative AI model inference
• 6+ months of experience using Gen AI tools and technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience applying machine learning techniques in enterprise environments, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, statistical modeling, feature engineering, and model evaluation
• 6 months+ years of experience developing and deploying NLP or Generative AI solutions, including Transformers, GPT models, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), vector databases, embeddings, and prompt engineering in production environments
• Strong analytical, quantitative, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present detailed technical analyses to diverse technical and business stakeholders
• Experience with vision and speech models in Generative AI (multimodal architectures)
• Background in healthcare data analytics (e.g., claims, eligibility, enrollment) and working within regulated compliance environments
• Hands‑on experience with containerization and container orchestration technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes
• Experience utilizing AI‑assisted developer and coding tools to accelerate software production and technical documentation
• Demonstrated familiarity with agentic frameworks, Model Context Protocol (MCP), and Agent‑to‑Agent (A2A) architectures
• Experience working with large structured and unstructured datasets, performing exploratory data analysis, data quality assessments, and root‑cause investigations
• All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $77,000 to $137,600 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

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 an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

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

#RPO #GREEN