Sr AI/ML Engineer - Remote Nationwide or Office-Based in MN/DC/NJ

UnitedHealth Group; Minnetonka (MN); Remote; USD 120,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity stock purchase program

401(k) contribution matching

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group is hiring a Senior AI/ML Engineer to drive intelligent health solutions. This role supports remote nationwide work or office-based work in MN, DC, or NJ, with a baseline salary in the six‑figure range.

The candidate will design scalable APIs, orchestrate data pipelines, and deploy AI-powered features while ensuring security, reliability, and robust observability across cloud platforms and containers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in CS/SE or related field.
• 4+ years of full‑stack engineering experience.
• 3+ years building AI/ML solutions using LLMs/generative models.
• 3+ years cloud app experience (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• 3+ years implementing event‑driven streaming with Apache Kafka.

Responsibilities

• Design and build REST/GraphQL APIs in Java with high‑volume MySQL schemas.
• Design/implement Kafka producers/consumers with proper partitioning.
• Deploy, scale, and troubleshoot Kubernetes‑based services.

Skills

Full-stack engineering

AI/ML solutions

Cloud applications

Kafka streaming

Kubernetes microservices

CI/CD & test automation

Observability & monitoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in CS/Software Engineering or related field

Tools

MySQL

Kafka

Kubernetes

GitHub Actions

JFrog Artifactory

Splunk

Dynatrace

Zabbix

Grafana

CodeQL

SonarQube

GitHub Copilot

Job description

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

Job Description - Sr AI/ML Engineer - Remote Nationwide or Office-Based in MN/DC/NJ (2396557)

Sr AI/ML Engineer - Remote Nationwide or Office-Based in MN/DC/NJ - 2396557

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.

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 and build REST and GraphQL APIs in Java, integrating with high‑performance MySQL database schemas optimized for high‑volume transactional workloads
• Design and implement Kafka producers and consumers, including schema design, partitioning strategies, and reliable message processing
• Deploy, configure, scale, and troubleshoot services on Kubernetes‑based platforms
• Setup and manage deployment pipelines using GitHub Actions, including reusable workflows, environment secrets, automated deployment rules, and JFrog Artifactory integration
• Use enterprise‑approved AI‑powered development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot) for code generation, refactoring, debugging, workflow automation, and documentation
• Monitor logs, track performance trends, and proactively troubleshoot production issues using observability tools including Splunk, Dynatrace, Zabbix, and Grafana
• Write JUnit tests with high code coverage, utilizing static and dynamic analysis tools (e.g., CodeQL, SonarQube) to identify and remediate security and quality issues
• Participate in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) activities, code reviews, architectural discussions, and agile ceremonies while maintaining detailed documentation for application features and security controls
• Design, develop, and deploy AI‑powered solutions to address complex business challenges with emphasis on responsible use of AI

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, Software Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 4+ years of full‑stack engineering experience with solid backend and frontend development expertise
• 3+ years of expertise in building AI/ML solutions leveraging LLMs, Generative AI and models
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience with building, deploying, and maintaining cloud applications (Eg, AWS, GCP, Azure)
• 3+ years of experience implementing event‑driven streaming solutions with Apache Kafka, including schema design and partitioning strategies
• 3+ years of experience designing high‑performance MySQL database schemas optimized for high‑volume transactional workloads
• 3+ years of experience configuring, deploying, scaling, and troubleshooting microservices on Kubernetes‑based container platforms
• 3+ years of experience with CI/CD tools, automated testing frameworks, and modern build pipelines

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience using enterprise monitoring and observability platforms (Splunk, Dynatrace, Zabbix, Grafana) to track application health and resolve issues
• Experience building and deploying AI/ML solutions or integrating machine learning models into enterprise web applications
• Demonstrated familiarity with organizational release governance, PLM compliance, and automated security scanning workflows
• Hands‑on experience leveraging AI‑powered development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot) to improve test coverage, code quality, and productivity

*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.

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.

UnitedHealth Group is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation for any part of the application process, please call 1-866-566-8715 to be connected to Recruitment Services. Recruitment Services hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

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.