Sr Manager, Data Engineering

Optum; Raleigh (NC); Remote; USD 113,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

Optum is seeking a Sr Manager, Data Engineering to lead enterprise data warehouse strategy for healthcare data. You will drive modern data platforms, data lakes, and scalable models while enforcing HIPAA compliance and data quality.

You'll oversee ETL/ELT pipelines, real-time streaming, and collaboration with data science to enable predictive analytics and AI/ML use cases across payer and provider data domains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 10+ years IT experience with data warehousing and analytics platforms.
• 5+ years leading large programs and cross-functional teams.
• Healthcare domain experience in payer/provider or life sciences.
• Hands-on DW modernization and cloud migration experience.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive enterprise data warehouse strategy for healthcare data.
• Lead design of modern data platforms: cloud DW, data lakes/lakehouse.
• Oversee ingestion and integration of diverse datasets: claims, EHR/EMR, pharmacy.
• Ensure interoperability using HL7, FHIR APIs and CCD/C-CDA formats.
• Lead ETL/ELT pipelines and real-time data streaming implementations.
• Partner with data science teams on predictive modeling and AI/ML use cases.
• Ensure HIPAA, CMS and HITECH compliance and data quality rules.
• Mentor data engineers and platform engineers; drive data governance.
• Oversee master data management and golden record creation.

Skills

Data warehousing

Cloud platforms

Databricks

Spark processing

ETL/ELT tools

Healthcare data standards

Leadership

Python/SQL

Analytics platforms

Data quality

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Information Systems / Engineering

Tools

Informatica

Talend

ADF

dbt

Job description

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

Job Description - Sr Manager, Data Engineering (2391203)

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:

• Define and drive the enterprise data warehouse strategy for healthcare data (claims, EMR/EHR, pharmacy, lab, provider, payer)
• Lead design of modern data platforms:
  • Cloud DW (Databricks, Azure Synapse, Redshift, BigQuery)
  • Data lakes / lakehouse architectures
  • Establish scalable data models (star/snowflake schemas, dimensional modeling for healthcare use cases)
  • Drive adoption of FHIR, HL7, and other healthcare data standards
• Oversee ingestion and integration of diverse healthcare datasets:
  • Claims & billing systems
  • EHR/EMR platforms (Epic, Cerner)
  • Pharmacy (PBM), lab, clinical data sources
• Ensure interoperability compliance using:
  • HL7, FHIR APIs
  • CCD/C-CDA formats
• Lead enterprise ETL/ELT pipelines and real-time data streaming implementations
• Partner with data science teams to support:
  • Predictive modeling (readmission risk, fraud detection)
  • AI/ML healthcare use cases
• Ensure strict adherence to healthcare regulations:
  • HIPAA compliance (PHI protection)
  • CMS reporting requirements
  • HITECH Act guidelines
• Data quality rules
• Establish audit controls and security protocols
• Lead teams of:
  • Data engineers
  • Data analysts and platform engineers
• Mentor teams on healthcare data domain knowledge and best practices
• Data Quality & Master Data Management
• Drive initiatives to ensure high data accuracy and consistency across systems
• Implement data quality monitoring frameworks
• Oversee:
  • Patient identity management
  • Provider & member master data
  • Reduce duplication and improve golden record creation

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, Information Systems, Engineering or related field, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years in IT, with solid focus on: Data warehousing, Analytics platforms, Enterprise business systems
• 5+ years in leadership roles managing teams and large programs
• Proven experience in healthcare domain: Payer, provider, or life sciences environments
• Hands-on experience with large-scale DW modernization or cloud migrations
• Hands-on experience with managing multi-million-dollar programs and cross-functional teams
• Understanding of claims, billing, and reimbursement processes
• Understanding of clinical workflows and EHR/EMR systems (Epic, Cerner)
• Knowledge of healthcare data standards: HL7, FHIR, CCD/C-CDA
• Expertise in ETL/ELT tools (Informatica, Talend, ADF, dbt)
• Expertise in workflow orchestration (Airflow, etc.)
• Experience with APIs and real-time streaming (Kafka, event-driven systems)
• Solid experience in Azure, AWS, or GCP ecosystems
• Knowledge of Databricks / Spark-based processing
• Knowledge of data pipeline scalability & performance tuning
• Experience with: Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools
• Ability to support Advanced analytics / ML use cases
• Solid business acumen with ability to translate business needs into technology solutions
• Ability to drive ROI-focused data initiatives
• Experience building Business cases for data platform investments
• Ability to align data strategy with organizational goals

*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 $112,700 to $193,200 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.

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.