Lead AI/ML Engineer - Hybrid in Eden Prairie, MN

Optum; Eden Prairie (MN); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a senior engineering leader to define and drive AI/ML and AIDLC strategy across multiple teams. You will guide architecture decisions and champion AI-first practices while coaching engineers on AI-enabled tooling for coding, testing, reviews, and DevOps automation.

Leveraging your cloud experience (Azure) and strong programming background (C#, Python, Java, JS/TS), you will accelerate productivity and quality in enterprise software initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, application development, or platform engineering.
• 3+ years designing and implementing AI/ML or Generative AI solutions in enterprise environments.
• Proven experience leading technical teams and driving large-scale technology initiatives from concept through production.
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools and AIDLC practices.
• Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages such as C#, Python, Java, or JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure, including AI/ML services and cloud-native architectures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the definition and execution of the team's AI/ML and AIDLC strategy aligned with business and product roadmaps.
• Identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies to improve software development productivity, quality, and speed-to-market.
• Drive the design, architecture, and implementation of AI/ML solutions that support business objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance on AI-first engineering practices across multiple development teams.
• Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend adoption strategies that create measurable business value.
• Champion the adoption of AI-Driven Software Development Lifecycle (AIDLC) practices across the organization.
• Coach engineers on effective use of AI-enabled development tools, including coding assistants, automated testing, code reviews, documentation generation, and DevOps automation.

Skills

Team leadership

AI/ML design

C#

Python

Java

JavaScript/TypeScript

Cloud platforms

Azure

AI-assisted development tools

Education

Bachelor's degree (CS/Software Eng/Data Science/AI)

Tools

Azure

Job description

Description

Lead the definition and execution of the team's AI/ML and AIDLC strategy aligned with business and product roadmaps. Identify opportunities to leverage AI technologies to improve software development productivity, quality, and speed-to-market. Drive the design, architecture, and implementation of AI/ML solutions that support business objectives. Provide technical leadership and guidance on AI-first engineering practices across multiple development teams. Evaluate emerging AI technologies and recommend adoption strategies that create measurable business value. Champion the adoption of AI-Driven Software Development Lifecycle (AIDLC) practices across the organization. Coach engineers on effective use of AI-enabled development tools, including coding assistants, automated testing, code reviews, documentation generation, and DevOps automation.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, application development, or platform engineering.
• 3+ years of experience designing and implementing AI/ML or Generative AI solutions in enterprise environments.
• Proven experience leading technical teams and driving large-scale technology initiatives from concept through production.
• Hands-on experience with AI-assisted software development tools and AIDLC practices.
• Strong proficiency in one or more programming languages such as C#, Python, Java, or JavaScript/TypeScript.
• Experience with cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure, including AI/ML services and cloud-native architectures.
• Able to work on-site 4 days in-office/1 day remote during the work week