Senior AI/ML Engineer - Remote - Central Time Zone Preferred

Optum; Eden Prairie (MN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Equity stock purchase program

401k contribution

Job summary

Optum Tech is seeking a backend/AI engineer to design and deploy agentic AI systems powering conversational healthcare experiences. You will build multi-agent orchestration, integrate LLMs with healthcare data, and implement strong privacy and compliance controls.

Work involves FastAPI/Express backends, GraphQL APIs, and cloud deployment with Terraform. A remote-friendly role in the U.S. with in-office expectations in Minneapolis/DC area is described.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience with Python or TypeScript or other relevant backend languages such as Java, Node.js.
• Experience building RESTful or GraphQL APIs in production environments.
• Understanding of LLM fundamentals (prompting, context management, or model integration).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy production agentic AI systems using OpenAI/Claude/LangGraph SDKs.
• Build multi-agent orchestration systems routing requests across specialized AI agents.
• Develop FastAPI backends and Node.js/TypeScript services integrating LLMs with healthcare systems via GraphQL/APIs.
• Implement healthcare guardrails including PII detection, prompt safety, and compliance controls.
• Deploy containerized AI/ML workloads to AWS with Terraform and CI/CD pipelines.
• Collaborate with product and clinical stakeholders to design AI workflows using metrics and feedback.
• Monitor LLM application performance, latency, and user satisfaction in production.

Skills

Python

TypeScript

Java

Node.js

RESTful APIs

GraphQL

LLM fundamentals

Prompting

FastAPI

Express

AWS Bedrock

Vertex AI

Terraform

CloudFormation

AWS AppSync

DynamoDB

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

AWS AppSync

ECS

Lambda

DynamoDB

FastAPI

Express

GraphQL

Job description

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.
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

• Design, develop, and deploy production agentic AI systems using OpenAI Agents SDK, Claude Agents SDK, or similar frameworks to power conversational healthcare experiences
• Build and maintain multi-agent orchestration systems that route user requests across specialized Line-of-Business AI agents using Agent-to-Agent (A2A) protocols
• Develop FastAPI backends and Node.js/TypeScript services that integrate LLMs (AWS Bedrock, Vertex AI) with healthcare systems through GraphQL APIs and AWS AppSync
• Implement healthcare-specific guardrails including PII detection/scrubbing, prompt safety, and compliance controls for patient-facing applications
• Deploy containerized AI/ML workloads to AWS (App Runner, ECS, Lambda) with infrastructure-as-code using Terraform and CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions)
• Collaborate with product and clinical stakeholders to design, evaluate, and optimize agentic AI workflows using quantitative metrics and user feedback
• Monitor LLM application performance, token usage, latency, and user satisfaction in production environments serving millions of health plan members
• Stay current with emerging patterns in generative AI, agent frameworks, and responsible AI practices for healthcare applications

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, or related field
• 4+ years of hands-on experience with Python or TypeScript or other relevant backend languages such as Java, Node.js
• Experience building RESTful or GraphQL APIs in production environments
• Understanding of LLM fundamentals (prompting, context management, or model integration)

Preferred Qualifications

• Production experience with agentic AI frameworks (OpenAI Agents SDK, Claude Agents SDK, LangGraph, or similar)
• Hands-on experience with AWS Bedrock, Vertex AI, or Azure OpenAI services
• Experience measuring and improving LLM applications using evaluation frameworks, prompt iteration, or user feedback loops
• Infrastructure-as-code experience with Terraform or CloudFormation
• Experience with AWS services (Lambda, ECS, App Runner, AppSync, DynamoDB)
• Healthcare applications, HIPAA compliance, or experience in regulated industries experience
• Multi-agent systems, agent orchestration, or workflow engines experience
• FastAPI, Express, or similar backend framework experience
• 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 $120,100 - $214,500 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.

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.

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