Senior Data Engineer

UnitedHealth Group; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group's Optum Insight seeks a Senior Data Engineer to drive a hybrid migration from a legacy data warehouse to a cloud-based lakehouse. You will design ingestion patterns, build scalable data-sharing solutions, and automate pipelines using Azure Data Factory, Databricks, and dbt.

You will read and modify Java and Python code, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and apply AI-assisted development tools to boost productivity while ensuring security, scalability, and performance in

Qualifications

• 5+ years of data engineering or software development experience.
• 3+ years Python or Java programming.
• 2+ years building data pipelines in Azure (ADF, Databricks).
• 1+ year AI-assisted development tools experience.

Responsibilities

• Design diverse data ingestion patterns to migrate legacy Cornerstone Data Warehouse assets into the Magnus Lake House.
• Develop scalable data-sharing solutions for consumer access to data.
• Build automated data pipelines using Azure Data Factory and Databricks.
• Utilize dbt for data transformations following Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
• Maintain and enhance Java and Python codebases for project needs.
• Evaluate AI-assisted development trends to inform design decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure security, scalability, and performance.

Skills

Data engineering

Python/Java

Azure data services

AI-assisted development tools

SQL/ETL

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Math/related field

4+ years data engineering experience (alt with HS diploma)

Tools

Azure Data Factory

Databricks

dbt

GitHub Copilot/Codex

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, and data 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.

Join the Magnus Lake House team within Optum Insight as a Senior Data Engineer. In this role, you will be a key contributor to a high-profile migration project, transitioning our legacy Cornerstone Data Warehouse to a modern cloud-based Lakehouse architecture. This position offers a hybrid work environment based out of our Eden Prairie, MN or Raleigh, NC offices. You will be responsible for designing diverse ingestion patterns to bring data into the lakehouse and developing sophisticated solutions to share that data with consumers. We are looking for a hands‑on developer who is eager to use modern AI‑assisted tools to drive productivity and innovation in a fast‑paced environment.

Location: This is a hybrid role either Raleigh NC or Eden Prairie MN.

Primary Responsibilities

• Use enterprise‑approved AI tools and coding assistants to streamline development workflows, automate complex tasks, and drive continuous improvement in code quality and efficiency

• Design and implement robust data ingestion patterns to migrate legacy Cornerstone Data Warehouse assets into the Magnus Lake House

• Develop and deploy scalable data‑sharing solutions to provide consumers with efficient access to data using various architectural patterns

• Build and manage automated data pipelines using Azure Data Factory (ADF) to ingest and process files within Databricks

• Utilize the dbt (data build tool) framework to execute complex data transformations following Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, and Gold layers)

• Interpret, maintain, and enhance existing codebases in both Java and Python to support project requirements

• Evaluate emerging trends in data engineering and AI‑assisted development to inform solution design and identify opportunities for strategic innovation

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure data pipelines meet security, scalability, and performance standards

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, Mathematics, or a related field; OR a High School Diploma/GED with 4+ years of equivalent data engineering experience
• 5+ years of experience in data engineering or software development
• 3+ years of professional programming expertise in either Python or Java, with the demonstrated ability to read and modify code in both languages
• 2+ years of experience building and orchestrating data pipelines in an Azure environment (ADF, Databricks)
• 1+ year of experience utilizing AI‑assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Codex) to enhance development productivity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with legacy data warehouse migrations and modernizing data architectures
• Proven experience designing and implementing data‑sharing patterns for downstream consumers
• Deep understanding of Medallion Architecture and Delta Lake
• Experience with CI/CD practices and version control in a cloud‑native environment (e.g., Azure DevOps, GitHub)
• Hands‑on experience using the dbt (data build tool) framework for data transformation
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid team environment, balancing independent development with collaborative design sessions

All Telecommuters 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 $91,700 to $163,700 annually based on full‑time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.