Principal Data Scientist - Remote

Optum; San Francisco (CA); Remote; USD 106,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a Principal Data Scientist to drive innovative AI and machine learning solutions in healthcare. This role involves leveraging cutting-edge technologies like generative AI and large language models to transform healthcare delivery. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in AI/ML, especially in developing and deploying models that can significantly improve health outcomes. Join a diverse team committed to advancing health equity and making a real impact in communities across the U.S. This position offers the flexibility to work remotely while tackling challenging problems in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Incentive and recognition programs

Equity stock purchase

401k contribution

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in machine learning and AI.
• Proficiency in Python and PyTorch with hands-on experience.
• Experience in developing generative AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy AI and machine learning solutions.
• Lead the development of generative AI models.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate AI solutions.

Skills

Machine Learning

AI Technologies

Python

PyTorch

Generative AI

Data Visualization

Statistical Methods

Cloud-based AI/ML Platforms

Large Language Models (LLMs)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Data Science

Master's or PhD in Computer Science

Tools

Azure ML

AWS SageMaker

Google AI

Git

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum AI is UnitedHealth Group's enterprise AI team. We are AI/ML scientists and engineers with deep expertise in AI/ML engineering for health care. We develop AI/ML solutions for the highest impact opportunities across UnitedHealth Group businesses including UnitedHealthcare, Optum Financial, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. In addition to transforming the health care journey through responsible AI/ML innovation, our charter also includes developing and supporting an enterprise AI/ML development platform.

Optum AI team members:

• Have impact at scale: We have the data and resources to make an impact at scale. When our solutions are deployed, they have the potential to make health care system work better for everyone


• Do ground-breaking work: Many of our current projects involve cutting edge ML, NLP and LLM techniques. Generative AI methods for working with structured and unstructured health care data are continuously being developed and improved. We are working in one of the most important frontiers of AI/ML research and development


• Partner with world-class experts on innovative solutions: Our team members are developing novel AI/ML solutions to business challenges. In some cases, this includes the opportunity to file patents and publish papers about the methods we develop. We also collaborate with AI/ML researchers at some of the world's top universities

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Principal Data Scientist to join our healthcare team. The successful candidate will drive the development and application of advanced AI and machine learning solutions, including generative AI, to transform healthcare delivery. This individual contributor (IC) role requires deep expertise in traditional as well as modern AI technologies, proficiency in Python and PyTorch, and a commitment to the responsible use of AI in a regulated domain as healthcare.

• AI/ML Solution Development: Design, develop, and deploy innovative AI and machine learning solutions, including generative AI models, to solve complex healthcare problems using our internal AI platform (UAIS)


• Generative AI Leadership: Leverage large language models (LLMs), prompt engineering, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to enhance AI applications, while addressing their limitations and ensuring optimal performance


• Educational Content: Oversee the creation of training materials and educational resources to enhance the understanding and adoption of AI/ML technologies within the organization


• Agentic Framework Design: Implement agentic workflows where LLMs autonomously decompose complex questions, retrieve relevant data, and synthesize accurate answers across multiple sources


• Fine-tuning LLMs for Healthcare: Customize pre-trained language models to align with healthcare terminology and compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA) for better performance on domain-specific tasks


• Question-Answering Systems: Develop and evaluate robust question-answering pipelines that allow users to pose complex queries about medical or operational data and receive detailed, context-aware responses


• Research & Innovation: Conduct cutting-edge research in AI/ML to identify opportunities for improving healthcare outcomes and operational efficiencies


• Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams, such as clinicians, data engineers, and product managers, to integrate AI solutions into existing workflows and systems


• Ethics and Compliance: Advocate for and implement principles of responsible AI use, ensuring adherence to regulations and ethical standards in healthcare


• Performance Monitoring: Establish KPIs for AI models and oversee their monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement to maintain accuracy and reliability

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 Data Science, Machine Learning, AI, Computer Science, or a related field


• 7+ years of experience in machine learning and AI, with a solid track record in developing and deploying advanced machine learning models


• 7+ years of experience in Python and PyTorch, with hands-on experience in traditional machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI frameworks


• 5+ years of hands-on experience with statistical methods and data visualization tools


• 5+ years of hands-on experience with cloud-based AI/ML platforms such as Azure ML, AWS SageMaker, or Google AI


• 2+ years of experience in working with large language models (LLMs) and generative AI techniques, including prompt engineering and RAG

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field


• Experience working in regulated industries, with knowledge of ethical AI practices and compliance requirements


• Experience in the healthcare industry, with familiarity in clinical workflows and datasets


• Software tool development experience and adherence to SW development best practices: source control (git), packaging, documentation


• Published patents or research or in the fields of AI, machine learning, or generative AI (in NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AISTATS, UAI, AAAI, KDD, CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, ACL or other computer science conferences and/or medical journals)


• Proven track record of mentoring or educating teams on AI/ML technologies


• Proven solid problem-solving skills and ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

The salary range for this role is $106,800 to $194,200 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.