Principal Data Engineering - Remote

Optum; Minnetonka (MN); Remote; USD 113,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to design, build, and scale enterprise data platforms across cloud and hybrid environments. This role partners with Analytics/BI and Data Science to deliver reliable, high‑performing datasets and ML workflows.

You will lead end‑to‑end data pipelines with Python, SQL, Spark, Databricks, Snowflake while maintaining security, data quality, and regulatory compliance. Remote work nationwide with some in‑office days for Minneapolis/DC teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in data engineering, enterprise data platform development, or data architecture.
• 5+ years building scalable ELT/ETL data pipelines with Python, SQL, and Spark.
• 3+ years modern data platforms such as Databricks or Snowflake.
• 3+ years cloud Platforms (GCP/Azure/AWS) including IAM security and hybrid architectures.
• 3+ years CI/CD for data pipelines and IaC using Terraform.
• 3+ years batch and streaming processing for near-real-time data use cases.
• 3+ years building ML data pipelines including feature engineering and retraining workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of cloud-based and hybrid data architectures, platforms, and enterprise data solutions.
• Build, optimize, and maintain scalable ELT/ETL data pipelines using Python, SQL, Spark, and modern data platforms.
• Design and deploy AI-powered data engineering workflows with responsible AI practices.
• Operationalize ML pipelines with feature engineering, training/inference data flows, and automated retraining or scoring.
• Use enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows and data tasks for platform improvement.
• Ensure data quality, observability, lineage, and documentation across pipelines.
• Implement security, IAM, encryption, PII handling, and regulatory compliance controls.
• Provide hands-on leadership and mentor junior/senior engineers; resolve complex incidents.

Skills

Python

SQL

Spark/PySpark

ETL/ELT design

ML pipelines

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, IT, or related field

Tools

Databricks

Snowflake

GCP

Azure

AWS

Terraform

MLflow

Job description

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

Job Description - Principal Data Engineering - Remote (2395658)

Principal Data Engineering - Remote - 2395658

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

The Principal Data Engineer is a senior individual contributor responsible for designing, building, and scaling enterprise data platforms and data pipelines. This role combines cloud‑based data architecture ownership with hands‑on technical execution across cloud and hybrid environments to support large‑scale data, analytics, and machine learning initiatives. Working within Optum Technology, you will partner across engineering, BI, and product teams to ensure high data reliability, performance, and security. You will also leverage enterprise‑approved AI tools and modern data platforms (Databricks, Snowflake, GCP/Azure/AWS) to automate workflows, optimize pipelines, and drive continuous platform innovation.

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:

• Lead the design and implementation of cloud‑based and hybrid data architectures, platforms, and enterprise data solutions
• Build, optimize, and maintain scalable ELT/ETL data pipelines utilizing Python, SQL, Spark/PySpark, and modern data platforms (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake)
• Design, develop, and deploy AI‑powered solutions and automated data engineering workflows to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible AI practices
• Design and operationalize ML pipelines in partnership with Data Science, covering feature engineering, training and inference data flows, model versioning, and automated retraining or scoring workflows
• Leverage enterprise‑approved AI tools to streamline technical workflows, automate data tasks, and drive continuous platform improvement
• Evaluate emerging data engineering trends, cloud technologies, and AI capabilities to inform solution design and strategic innovation
• Partner with Analytics/BI, Data Science, and Product teams to deliver trustworthy, high‑performing datasets and metric frameworks
• Ensure data quality, observability, lineage, and documentation across data pipelines using tools like dbt, Great Expectations, and cloud logging/monitoring
• Implement security, IAM, encryption, PII handling, and regulatory compliance controls across all data storage and pipeline layers
• Provide hands‑on technical leadership, solution design reviews, and mentorship to junior and senior engineers
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex data pipeline incidents, driving root cause analysis and preventive platform enhancements

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:

• 7+ years of experience in data engineering, enterprise data platform development, or data architecture roles
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience building and optimizing scalable ELT/ETL data pipelines using Python, SQL, and Spark/PySpark
• 3+ years of experience developing data models and processing workflows on modern data platforms such as Databricks or Snowflake
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience with major cloud platforms (GCP, Azure, or AWS) including cloud storage, IAM security controls, and hybrid architectures
• 3+ years of experience building CI/CD workflows for data pipelines and managing Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) using Terraform
• 3+ years of experience implementing batch and streaming/micro‑batch processing solutions for near‑real‑time data use cases
• 3+ years of experience building and operationalizing ML data pipelines, including feature engineering, training/inference data flows, and automated model retraining or scoring workflows (e.g., MLflow, Databricks ML, Vertex AI, Azure ML, or SageMaker)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• Relevant cloud or data certifications (e.g., Databricks Certified Data Engineer, Snowflake Certified, or GCP Professional Data Engineer)
• Experience with data quality, observability, and data catalog tools (e.g., Great Expectations, dbt tests, Cloud Monitoring, Data Catalog)
• Experience working in healthcare, contact‑center analytics, or highly regulated enterprise environments

Location

• Solid preference for Minnesota based candidates
• Flexibility for U.S. based candidates if local talent is not available

*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.