Senior AI/ML Applied Scientist - Remote

UnitedHealth Group; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Incentive and recognition programs

401(k) contribution

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group is seeking a talented professional to develop cutting-edge machine learning models and solutions within their Optum AI team in Bellevue, Washington. The role requires expertise in machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. or Master’s degree with several years of industry experience. Responsibilities will include building models that enhance LLM capabilities and collaborating with a group of innovative experts in AI. This position offers the flexibility to work remotely while contributing to significant advancements in health care systems.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. focused on NLP and/or GenAI or Master's degree in quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience in ML for natural language processing.
• 3+ years in Generative AI and improving LLM performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement models improving LLM capabilities.
• Research and design scalable ML models for real-time processing.
• Collaborate with the Optum AI team on projects.

Skills

Machine Learning

Natural Language Processing

Generative AI

Deep Learning

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Education

Ph.D. in Machine Learning

Master's degree in computer science or related field

Job description

Optum Tech Overview

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.

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. 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

• Developing and implementing models and methods that extend and improve LLM capabilities and reliability.
• Research, design and implement scalable machine learning models for real‑time processing.
• Developing new solutions and science best practices in Responsible AI.
• Developing our research and innovation agenda.
• Defining the strategies, priorities, and metrics for technical progress in Deep Learning, RAG and LLMs.
• Collaborating with the Optum AI team and fellow scientist and engineers.
• Driving adoption of new science and best practices among service teams.

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

• Ph.D. in Machine Learning with focus on NLP and/or GenAI or a Master degree in computer science or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of experience using ML to solve problems in natural language processing (NLP), multimodal RT processing, and/or other AI domains.
• 3+ years of experience in Generative AI, grounding architectures, fine‑tuning LLMs and/or improving pre‑train LLM's performance.
• 3+ years of DL frameworks such as PyTorch and/or TensorFlow.
• 3+ years of developing machine learning applications.
• 3+ years of solid NLP research and developing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Advanced Deep Learning, applied math and statistics.
• Experience developing and refining graph science methods and LLMs.
• Experience developing agentic frameworks to empower autonomous agent.
• Proven solid technical and scientific knowledge about generative AI.

All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy.

Benefits and Compensation

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 401(k) 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 $130,000 to $162,500 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

Drug‑Free Workplace

UnitedHealth Group is a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.