Senior AI ML Engineer

Optum; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Equity plan

401k plan

Incentives programs

Job summary

Optum Technology in Tempe, AZ seeks a Senior AI/ML Engineer to drive AI-powered enterprise solutions and modernize software delivery. You will lead AI/ML transformation, set governance standards, and mentor teams while collaborating with business leaders to deliver high-impact automation.

The role focuses on Azure OpenAI, LLMs, RAG, and agentic AI, with a strong emphasis on Responsible AI, security, and cloud-native architectures across microservices and event-driven platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or equivalent experience in CS/DS/Engineering.
• 5+ years in enterprise software architecture, distributed systems and cloud-native development.
• 2+ years with LLMs, AI platforms, Azure OpenAI, RAG or Agentic AI frameworks.
• 2+ years leading AI/ML and engineering transformation initiatives.
• 1+ years establishing AI governance and security/compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI Software Development Life Cycle strategy across multiple teams.
• Drive transformation from traditional SDLC to AI-assisted development models.
• Design, deploy AI-powered solutions using Azure OpenAI, LLMs, and RAG.
• Establish AI-ready repositories and engineering knowledge management.
• Build and scale engineering agents for development, testing, and release automation.
• Define and govern Responsible AI, security, compliance, HITL, and quality controls.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Distributed systems

Cloud-native development

LLMs

Azure OpenAI

RAG

Agentic AI

Responsible AI

AI governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/DData Science/Engineering

Job description

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

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.

As a Senior AI/ML Engineer within Optum Technology supporting UnitedHealthcare Community & State, you will lead the evolution of AI-driven software engineering across technology teams. In this role, you will drive the transition from traditional development models to AI-assisted and agentic frameworks, designing and scaling enterprise solutions using Azure OpenAI, LLMs, RAG, and cloud-native architecture. You will collaborate closely with technology and business leadership to deliver high-impact automation, govern Responsible AI standards, and mentor engineering talent to advance healthcare delivery.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead AI Software Development Life Cycle (AIDLC) strategy, implementation, and adoption across multiple engineering teams
• Drive transformation from traditional SDLC to AI-assisted and agentic development models
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions using Azure OpenAI, LLMs, RAG, and Agentic AI frameworks to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible AI
• Establish standards for AI-ready repositories, engineering knowledge management, and agent enablement
• Build and scale engineering agents for development, testing, code review, documentation, security, and release automation
• Define and govern Responsible AI, security, compliance, Human-in-the-Loop (HITL), and quality controls
• Lead enterprise architecture initiatives leveraging Microservices, Event-Driven Architecture, and Cloud-Native platforms
• Evaluate emerging trends to inform solution design and strategic innovation while leveraging enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and drive continuous improvement
• Collaborate with business and technology leadership to identify and deliver AI-driven automation and transformation opportunities
• Mentor AI Engineers and Software Engineers while supporting high-performing teams and tracking productivity, quality, delivery, and adoption metrics

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, Data Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in enterprise software architecture, distributed systems, and cloud-native application development
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience with LLMs, AI platforms, Azure OpenAI, RAG, or Agentic AI frameworks
• 2+ years of experience leading AI/ML and engineering transformation initiatives
• 1+ years of experience establishing AI governance, Responsible AI standards, and security/compliance frameworks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands‑on experience working with HIPAA file formats and healthcare data standards
• Experience with Microservices, Event-Driven Architecture, and release automation platforms
• Proven track record of mentoring software and AI engineers in modern development practices
• Proven strategic planning, execution, and senior stakeholder management capabilities

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 $120,100 - $214,500 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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 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.