Senior Manager, AI/ML Engineering - Java Spring Boot - Remote

Optum; Minnetonka (MN); Hybrid; USD 149,000 - 255,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Senior Manager of AI/ML Engineering within the UHC Operations and Experience technology team. You will lead a high-performing engineering team to build, scale, and deploy AI/ML solutions, partnering with business leaders and architects to translate goals into AI-driven initiatives.

You will guide MLOps, SDLC, and governance while mentoring talent to improve healthcare operations. The role offers remote flexibility within the U.S., with in-office four days per week for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/engineering or equivalent experience.
• 8+ years in software or AI/ML engineering with Java/Spring Boot.
• 3+ years managing or mentoring engineering teams.
• 2+ years building/deploying AI/ML models and LLMs.
• Experience with cloud platforms and containerization.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering team for enterprise AI/ML solutions.
• Define technology roadmaps, architectures, and strategy with stakeholders.
• Drive MLOps, CI/CD, testing, and model governance improvements.
• Oversee architecture, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with data security, privacy, and governance.
• Establish engineering KPIs and monitor system performance.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Software engineering

AI/ML engineering

Agile SDLC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Java

Spring Boot

Azure

AWS

GCP

Docker

Kubernetes

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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Senior Manager of AI/ML Engineering within the UHC Operations and Experience technology team at Optum Technology, you will lead a high-performing engineering team dedicated to building, scaling, and deploying innovative artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions. In this role, you will partner closely with business leaders, product managers, and enterprise architects to translate operational and customer experience goals into cutting-edge AI-driven solutions. You will drive technical direction, foster engineering excellence, oversee MLOps and software development lifecycles, and mentor engineering talent to deliver high-impact technology that optimizes operations and enhances healthcare experiences.

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

• Lead, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on building, deploying, and maintaining enterprise AI/ML solutions and platforms
• Partner with business, product, and architecture stakeholders across UHC Operations and Experience to define technology roadmaps, system architectures, and engineering strategy
• Drive continuous improvement in MLOps, software engineering practices, code quality, automated testing, continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD), and model governance
• Oversee technical architecture, design decisions, resource allocation, project scheduling, and risk mitigation across all team deliverables
• Ensure AI/ML solutions adhere to enterprise data security, privacy, governance, and regulatory compliance standards
• Establish engineering KPIs and operational metrics to evaluate model performance, system availability, and team productivity

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive experience in software engineering, or AI/ML engineering with Java Spring Boot
• 5+ years of experience with core programming languages (e.g. Java)
• 3+ years of experience managing, leading, or mentoring engineering teams
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience designing, building, and deploying AI/ML models, large language models (LLMs), RAG, etc.
• 2+ years of experience with cloud platform infrastructure (e.g., Azure, AWS, or GCP) and containerization technologies (e.g., Docker or Kubernetes)
• Proven track record managing the full software development lifecycle (SDLC) within agile delivery methodologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, or a related technical field
• Experience in healthcare technology, specifically within healthcare operations, claims processing, or consumer digital experience
• Demonstrated expertise in MLOps automation, large-scale data engineering tools (e.g., Spark, Databricks), or Generative AI / Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Solid executive presentation, strategic thinking, and cross-functional stakeholder management skills
• All employees working remote 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 $148,900 - $255,300 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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug‑free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.