Lead AI Engineer - Remote

UnitedHealth Group; Charleston (WV); Remote; USD 113,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Equity stock purchase

401k contribution

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group seeks a Lead Engineer to set the AI-First engineering direction for the PATH platform, guiding requirements, architecture, coding, and deployment. You will lead AI SDLC adoption across all stages and drive AI-driven productivity gains, governance, and responsible innovation.

You will mentor teams on prompt engineering, RAG, and AI solution architecture, while collaborating across enterprise functions to deliver secure, scalable health tech solutions.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of enterprise software engineering experience.
• 5+ years in lead engineer, architect, or senior technical leadership roles.
• 3+ years leading AI transformation, AI-enabled SDLC initiatives, or enterprise AI adoption programs.
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI, Agentic AI, LLMs, RAG, vector databases, AI orchestration, and model evaluation.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS), DevSecOps, CI/CD automation, monitoring, and observability tools.
• Experience in government or regulated environments (e.g., Human Services, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Child Welfare, or Eligibility systems).

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the AI-First engineering vision, architecture, and roadmap for the PATH platform.
• Lead AI Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) adoption across requirements, design, coding, testing, deployment, operations, and support.
• Establish measurable productivity, quality, and efficiency goals through AI-powered engineering practices.
• Drive adoption of Generative AI, Agentic AI, copilots, intelligent automation, and knowledge-driven workflows.
• Implement AI-assisted software development, code reviews, test generation, documentation, incident analysis, and DevSecOps automation.
• Build governance frameworks, responsible AI controls, model evaluation frameworks, security guardrails, and compliance standards.
• Mentor teams on prompt engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), agent frameworks, AI observability, and AI solution architecture.
• Act as a senior technical leader and escalation point for critical application, integration, data, batch, cloud architecture, and production issues.
• Translate complex business and regulatory requirements into technical designs, implementation plans, and engineering deliverables.
• Integrate enterprise AI tools, set AI goals in development plans, and champion responsible and ethical technology usage across engineering teams.

Skills

AI Transformation

Lead Engineer

SDLC

Cloud Platforms AWS

DevSecOps

Governance & Compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

CI/CD tools

Monitoring/Observability

Vector databases

RAG

AI orchestration

Job description

Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care's most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

We are seeking a Lead Engineer to guide and define the AI-First engineering vision and roadmap for our PATH initiative. In this role, you will lead the adoption of AI-enabled SDLC across requirements, architecture, coding, testing, deployment, operations, and support while building secure, scalable, and resilient enterprise software solutions. You will drive intelligent automation, generative and agentic AI tools, and knowledge-driven workflows to optimize operational costs and streamline software delivery across complex health and human services platforms.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the AI-First engineering vision, architecture, and roadmap for the PATH platform
• Lead AI Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) adoption across requirements, design, coding, testing, deployment, operations, and support
• Establish measurable productivity, quality, and efficiency goals through AI-powered engineering practices
• Drive adoption of Generative AI, Agentic AI, copilots, intelligent automation, and knowledge-driven workflows
• Implement AI-assisted software development, code reviews, test generation, documentation, incident analysis, and DevSecOps automation
• Build governance frameworks, responsible AI controls, model evaluation frameworks, security guardrails, and compliance standards
• Mentor teams on prompt engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), agent frameworks, AI observability, and AI solution architecture
• Act as a senior technical leader and escalation point for critical application, integration, data, batch, cloud architecture, and production issues
• Translate complex business and regulatory requirements into technical designs, implementation plans, and engineering deliverables
• Integrate enterprise AI tools, set AI goals in development plans, and champion responsible and ethical technology usage across engineering teams

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:

• 10+ years of enterprise software engineering experience
• 5+ years of experience in Lead Engineer, Architect, or senior technical leadership roles
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience leading AI transformation, AI-enabled SDLC initiatives, or enterprise AI adoption programs
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI, Agentic AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), RAG, vector databases, AI orchestration, and model evaluation
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS), DevSecOps, CI/CD automation, monitoring, and observability tools
• Experience working in government or regulated environments (e.g., Human Services, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Child Welfare, or Eligibility systems)
• Experience measuring AI-driven productivity gains, efficiency improvements, and key engineering KPIs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience building AI Centers of Excellence, AI governance programs, or enterprise AI platforms.
• Proven ability to establish responsible AI controls, security guardrails, and compliance frameworks.
• Solid track record of influencing cross-functional technical delivery without relying on direct reporting authority.

*All employees working remotely 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 $112,700 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.