Lead Software Engineer - Remote

Optum; Schaumburg (IL); Remote; USD 113,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to drive architectural decisions and deliver high-quality software from a remote location. The role emphasizes mentorship, hands-on design, and collaboration with business and IT stakeholders across pharmacy technology platforms.

The position balances architecture, prototyping, and team leadership, with focus on scalable, secure, and efficient software solutions and the use of enterprise AI tools to accelerate delivery.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or 15+ years of equivalent software engineering experience.
• 15+ years of experience in the software engineering profession across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• 3+ years of experience designing and consuming RESTful applications and APIs.
• 3+ years of experience delivering software using Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Experience using enterprise-approved AI tools and developer assistants (e.g., Claude, Codex, Copilot) in daily workflows.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end software engineering phases, balancing mentorship and design work.
• Collaborate with business and IT stakeholders to evaluate goals and propose architectural solutions.
• Establish repeatable design patterns, technical frameworks, and best practices.
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline development workflows and improve productivity.
• Participate in Agile/Scrum ceremonies and ensure timely delivery of features.
• Drive continuous performance, security, and quality improvements in codebases.
• Triage post-deployment production issues and direct long-term solutions.

Skills

SDLC

RESTful APIs

Agile/Scrum

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Job description

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

Job Description - Lead Software Engineer - Remote (2385123)

Lead Software Engineer - Remote - 2385123

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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Lead Software Engineer within the ORX and OFS Technology / OptumRx Technology organization, you will play a pivotal role in driving technical excellence, architecture, and hands-on software delivery. Our team is focused on modernizing and scaling pharmacy technology platforms that impact millions of lives. In this role, you will balance technical architecture, prototyping, and mentorship while utilizing state-of-the-art tools and enterprise-approved AI assistants to boost development velocity and design high-performing, resilient applications.

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:

• Drive end-to-end software engineering phases, balancing time equally (50% mentorship and team guidance, 50% architecture, design, prototyping, and POCs for upcoming sprints)
• Collaborate closely with business and IT stakeholders to evaluate business goals, identify complex technical challenges, and propose innovative architectural solutions
• Establish repeatable design patterns, technical frameworks, and application development best practices while supporting Solution Architects in aligning solutions to enterprise roadmaps
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline software development workflows, automate tasks, and continuously improve team productivity and code quality
• Participate actively in Agile/Scrum ceremonies, supporting execution teams to ensure smooth and timely delivery of product features at the end of each Sprint
• Drive continuous performance, security, and quality improvements by ensuring teams build reusable components, libraries, and frameworks across departments
• Triage post-deployment production support issues, perform root-cause analysis, and direct long-term technical solutions

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:

• Undergraduate degree or 15+ years of equivalent software engineering experience
• 15+ years of experience in the software engineering profession across the full Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• 3+ years of experience designing and consuming RESTful applications and APIs
• 3+ years of experience delivering software using Agile/Scrum methodologies
• Experience using enterprise-approved AI tools and developer assistants (e.g., Claude, Codex, Copilot) in daily workflows to enhance engineering productivity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent technical field
• Demonstrated success in designing and building high-quality, scalable commercial software applications
• Solid understanding of networking principles, communication flows, and enterprise security patterns
• Proven track record of influencing peers without direct authority to adopt cutting-edge tools and industry best practices
• Background or experience in pharmacy technology, healthcare, or related domain platforms

*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.

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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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.