Principal Data Engineer - Remote

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to support the RxMax application. This remote role will collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues, design robust data solutions, and ensure CMS compliance across data platforms.

The candidate will lead scalable data pipelines, apply enterprise-approved AI tools, and mentor teams while maintaining strict governance and security standards. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package and remote flexibility nationwide.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in production data environments with governance and security.
• 5+ years SQL plus Python/Scala/Java.
• 5+ years on cloud data platforms (AWS/Azure/Snowflake) and Spark/Databricks.
• Experience with financial systems and data architectures.
• Experience in healthcare industry and HL7/FHIR/HIPAA familiarity.
• Experience collaborating with business teams operationally.
• Experience using digital tools to streamline workflows.

Responsibilities

• Learn healthcare domain concepts (Rebates, Medicaid, CMS) to deliver data solutions.
• Translate requirements into robust technical designs with cross-functional teams.
• Enforce data quality, governance, security, and compliance across data pipelines.
• Troubleshoot complex data pipelines and performance issues.
• Lead architecture and implementation of scalable data pipelines.
• Leverage AI tools to streamline engineering workflows.
• Evaluate new tech trends to inform data solution design.
• Mentor teams on application enhancements for evolving needs.
• Communicate effectively with engineering and leadership teams.
• Be flexible to work extra hours to meet deadlines.

Skills

SQL

Python/Scala/Java

Cloud data platforms

Big data processing

Healthcare data models

CMS compliance

Data governance

Data security

Proactive collaboration

Streaming data

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Data Engineering / IT

Cloud certifications (AWS, Snowflake, Databricks)

Tools

AWS

Azure

Snowflake

Databricks

Kafka

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, 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 Principal Data Engineer, you will be responsible for supporting the RxMax application. In order to do so you will be learning the application and the associated business. In this role, you will work remotely and collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering, analytics, and business teams to resolve issues, suggest appropriate paths based on business requirements and support a complex financial including Commercial Rebates, and Medicaid Rebate systems. We are seeking a highly motivated self-starter with a solid ability to quickly learn and absorb intricate business concepts, exceptional analytical skills, and strict attention to detail. You will leverage modern technologies, enterprise-approved AI tools to drive personal and team productivity, and engineering best practices to build scalable, secure, and resilient data platforms that support Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) compliance and drive impactful business outcomes.

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:

• Quickly learn, absorb, and apply complex healthcare business and domain concepts (such as Rebates, Medicaid, and CMS guidelines) to deliver tailored data solutions
• Collaborate methodically with software engineers, data architects, and business stakeholders to translate complex business requirements into robust technical designs
• Establish and enforce high standards for data quality, data governance, security, and compliance across all data integration workflows
• Apply solid analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot complex data pipelines, system performance issues, and data integration challenges
• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of scalable, high-performance data pipelines and enterprise data assets
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline engineering workflows, automate routine data tasks, and drive continuous productivity and process improvements
• Evaluate emerging technology trends and AI tools to inform data solution design and strategic technical innovation
• Mentor and provide business concepts and application guidance to business teams and development teams on application enhancements to support the changing business environments
• Communicate effectively (oral and written) across cross-functional engineering, business leadership, and stakeholder teams
• Demonstrate flexibility and availability to work extra hours from time to time to meet critical business needs and project deadlines

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:

• 5+ years of experience working in production data environments while maintaining data accuracy, governance, and security standards
• 5+ years of advanced proficiency in SQL and languages such as Python, Scala, or Java
• 5+ years of experience working with cloud data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, or Snowflake) and big data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark or Databricks)
• Experience working with or supporting financial systems and financial data architectures
• Experience in the healthcare industry and familiarity with healthcare data models and standards (e.g., HL7, FHIR, HIPAA compliance)
• Demonstrated experience working with business team from an operational standpoint
• Demonstrated experience utilizing digital and productivity-enhancing tools to streamline engineering workflows and problem-solving

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field
• Relevant cloud or data platform certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Data Analytics, Snowflake SnowPro Core, or Databricks Certified Data Engineer)
• 5+ years of experience working with cloud data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Delta Lake or Snowflake) and big data processing frameworks (e.g., Spark or Databricks)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with solid attention to detail and quality
• Experience working with healthcare Rebates systems or Medicaid data platforms
• Experience with IBMi DB2 systems and infrastructure
• Experience designing, implementing, and maintaining a FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act) compliant environment supporting federal government applications and data
• Solid knowledge of NIST 800-53 security controls, risk management frameworks (RMF), security authorization (ATO), and continuous monitoring practices
• Experience implementing and managing security controls across cloud and on-premises environments, including identity and access management, encryption, vulnerability management, audit logging, and incident response
• Demonstrated capability to rapidly learn, absorb, and apply complex business domain concepts
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment under strict time constraints and shifting priorities
• Knowledge of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations, guidelines, or data standards
• Experience with streaming data architectures and real-time processing platforms (e.g., Apache Kafka, Spark Streaming)

*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.