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

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group’s Optum division seeks a Senior AI/ML Engineer to design, deploy, and scale advanced AI/ML solutions for the Provider Experience team. You will work with cross-functional partners to deliver high-impact capabilities and scalable systems across health care operations.

You will enjoy remote work from anywhere in the U.S.; however, for Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area hires, in-office presence is required at least four days per week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related field.
• 4+ years of software engineering/ML or AI deployment.
• 3+ years building AI solutions with LLMs/Generative AI.
• 3+ years Python or Java experience.
• 3+ years Web/API development and maintenance.
• 3+ years hosting apps in Cloud, preferably AWS.
• Knowledge of security, logging, monitoring and production operations.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and maintain responsible AI solutions and service components to support health care providers.
• Lead digital-first initiatives for Provider Experience to improve customer satisfaction and reduce call volume.
• Provide technical leadership to a team of AI engineers supporting AIDLC, AI adoption and Conversational AI.
• Evaluate emerging technology trends to inform solution design and innovation.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align technical capabilities with operational goals.
• Ensure AI/ML models adhere to enterprise standards for performance and security.
• Collaborate with the broader engineering team to drive Cloud modernization.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Python

Java

AWS

LLMs

Web APIs

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.

As a Senior AI/ML Engineer within the UHC Provider Experience team under Optum Tech UHC Technology, you will drive the design, deployment, and scaling of advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional partners to build automated, intelligent systems that enhance operational efficiencies and deliver superior user experiences. You will leverage modern AI architectures and enterprise-approved engineering practices to transform complex business challenges into scalable, high-impact technical capabilities.

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 maintain responsible AI solutions and service components to support health care providers
• Lead digital-first initiatives for Provider Experience to improve customer satisfaction and reduce call volume
• Provide technical leadership to a team of AI engineers who support AIDLC, AI adoption and the Conversational AI Provider experience
• Evaluate emerging technology trends and tools to inform solution design and foster strategic technical innovation
• Partner with cross-functional business partners, product management, and data teams to align technical capabilities with operational goals
• Ensure AI/ML models adhere to enterprise standards for performance, security, data governance, and scalability
• Collaborate with broader engineering team to drive Cloud modernization efforts and engineering practices

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, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of experience in software engineering, machine learning development, or AI solution deployment
• 3+ years of expertise in building AI/ML solutions leveraging LLMs, Generative AI and models
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience programming in Python or Java
• 3+ years of experience with Web and API development and maintenance
• 3+ years of experience with hosting apps in Cloud, preferably AWS
• Knowledge in security, access controls, logging, monitoring, performance tuning, disaster recovery and production operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with generative AI techniques, Large Language Models (LLMs), or natural language processing (NLP)
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical AI, model interpretability, and responsible governance frameworks
• Experience in the health care industry
• Experience in full stack engineering

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 to $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.