Principal Architect - Remote

Taleo; Minnetonka (MN); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group's Optum Tech is seeking a Principal Architect to shape enterprise AI strategy, guiding governance, platform choices, and roadmaps across business units. You will bridge business goals with technical feasibility and drive responsible AI adoption at scale.

The role supports remote work from anywhere in the U.S. with in-office cadence for Minneapolis or Washington, D.C., requiring collaboration with executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive experience in technology strategy, enterprise architecture, or technology consulting
• 3+ years of experience focused on AI/GenAI transformation
• Demonstrated experience translating business strategy into technology roadmaps and influencing executive-level decisions
• Experience embedding Responsible AI and governance practices (privacy, fairness, model risk, auditability) into enterprise initiatives
• Working knowledge of modern AI architecture concepts (LLMs, RAG, prompt orchestration, agent frameworks, model gateways) sufficient to evaluate options and guide direction - deep hands-on implementation not required
• Broad familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure preferred) and enterprise architecture patterns (APIs, microservices, event-driven systems) sufficient to set direction, not design
• Proven ability to build cross-organizational relationships and drive alignment across teams with no direct reporting relationship - able to influence without formal authority
• Proven exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of presenting to and influencing senior/executive audiences
• Proven comfort operating in ambiguity - able to set direction before all details are known and adjust as the AI landscape evolves

Responsibilities

• Define and evangelize the enterprise AI and GenAI vision, translating business strategy and outcomes into a coherent, prioritized technology roadmap
• Partner with business, product, and executive stakeholders to identify high-value AI opportunities and build the case for investment, including ROI and risk trade-offs
• Act as the primary bridge between business leadership and technical teams - able to speak fluently in both business value and technical feasibility
• Continuously scan the AI/GenAI landscape and translate emerging capabilities into practical business opportunity
• Set enterprise-level direction and guardrails for AI architecture patterns without owning detailed solution design
• Evaluate and recommend AI platforms, foundation models, and tooling based on enterprise fit, cost, scalability, and risk
• Establish enterprise standards, reference patterns, and decision frameworks for solution architects to use
• Provide second opinion architectural judgment on major AI initiatives without being the implementer
• Define enterprise-level principles and guardrails for Responsible AI and ensure embedding across initiatives
• Partner with legal, compliance, and security to meet governance standards at portfolio level
• Establish a lightweight governance model for vetting, approving, and scaling new AI use cases
• Build and deliver executive-level presentations and narratives to make AI strategy tangible for non-technical stakeholders
• Serve as trusted advisor to business unit leaders on what's possible and practical in AI
• Facilitate alignment across cross-functional and onshore/offshore teams
• Represent AI strategy in forums, steering committees, and business reviews
• Drive organizational AI adoption and literacy across teams
• Identify modernization opportunities where GenAI can improve automation, insight generation, or UX
• Track and communicate business impact of AI initiatives and refine roadmaps
• Stay connected to AI initiatives across domains to identify reuse and reduce duplication
• Build peer networks to enable early collaboration and cross-functional alignment
• Champion reuse of existing patterns and platforms over duplicate investment

Skills

AI/GenAI transformation

Enterprise architecture

Technology strategy

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Cloud platforms (Azure)

Governance & Responsible AI

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

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

Job Description - Principal Architect - Remote (2379705)

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.

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:

• Strategy and Business Alignment
  • Define and evangelize the enterprise AI and GenAI vision, translating business strategy and outcomes into a coherent, prioritized technology roadmap
  • Partner with business, product, and executive stakeholders to identify high-value AI opportunities and build the case for investment, including ROI and risk trade-offs
  • Act as the primary bridge between business leadership and technical teams - able to speak fluently in both business value and technical feasibility
  • Continuously scan the AI/GenAI landscape (models, platforms, frameworks, vendors) and translate emerging capabilities into practical business opportunity
• Architectural Direction (not detailed design)
  • Set enterprise-level direction and guardrails for AI architecture patterns (e.g., RAG, agent frameworks, model orchestration, foundation model selection) without owning detailed solution design
  • Evaluate and recommend AI platforms, foundation models, and tooling based on enterprise fit, cost, scalability, and risk - partnering with solution/technical architects to execute
  • Establish enterprise standards, reference patterns, and decision frameworks that solution architects and engineering teams use to design and build
  • Provide "second opinion" architectural judgment on major AI initiatives - enough technical depth to ask the right questions and stress-test decisions, without being the implementer
• Governance and Responsible AI
  • Define enterprise-level principles and guardrails for Responsible AI - privacy, fairness, explainability, model risk, auditability - and ensure they're embedded across initiatives
  • Partner with legal, compliance, and security to ensure AI initiatives meet regulatory and governance standards at a portfolio level
  • Establish a lightweight governance model (not heavy process) for how new AI use cases get vetted, approved, and scaled
• Communication and Influence
  • Build and deliver executive-level presentations and narratives that make AI strategy and value tangible to non-technical stakeholders
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and thought leader to business unit leaders on "what's possible, what's practical, and what's next" in AI
  • Facilitate alignment across cross-functional and onshore/offshore teams, ensuring shared understanding of AI direction and priorities
  • Represent AI strategy in forums, steering committees, and business reviews
• Adoption and Change Leadership
  • Drive organizational AI adoption and literacy - helping business and technical teams understand how to work with AI-first tools and practices (e.g., Copilot-assisted development, agentic workflows)
  • Identify modernization opportunities where GenAI can meaningfully improve automation, insight generation, or user experience
  • Track and communicate the business impact of AI initiatives, refining the roadmap based on outcomes and adoption patterns
• Cross-Org Alignment and Reuse
  • Stay closely connected to AI and technology initiatives across other domains and business units to identify reuse, avoid duplication, and align on shared direction before work kicks off
  • Build a solid peer network across the enterprise to enable early collaboration, and represent domain AI strategy in cross-functional architecture forums
  • Flag and help resolve misalignment or fragmentation risk across teams - championing reuse of existing patterns and platforms over redundant investment

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 in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive experience in technology strategy, enterprise architecture, or technology consulting
• 3+ years of experience focused on AI/GenAI transformation
• Demonstrated experience translating business strategy into technology roadmaps and influencing executive-level decisions
• Experience embedding Responsible AI and governance practices (privacy, fairness, model risk, auditability) into enterprise initiatives
• Working knowledge of modern AI architecture concepts (LLMs, RAG, prompt orchestration, agent frameworks, model gateways) sufficient to evaluate options and guide direction - deep hands-on implementation not required
• Broad familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure preferred) and enterprise architecture patterns (APIs, microservices, event-driven systems) sufficient to set direction, not design
• Proven ability to build cross-organizational relationships and drive alignment across teams with no direct reporting relationship - able to influence without formal authority
• Proven exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a track record of presenting to and influencing senior/executive audiences
• Proven comfort operating in ambiguity - able to set direction before all details are known and adjust as the AI landscape evolves

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA or advanced degree
• Experience as an enterprise architect, technology strategist, or trusted technical advisor

*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 $134,600 - $230,800 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 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.

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.