Lead AI/ML Engineer - Remote or Hybrid in NJ/MN/DC

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, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
The Provider Digital Technology team is focused on delivering a unified, intuitive digital entry point for UnitedHealthcare providers and partners to access tools, services, and information. We build consistent, secure, and scalable capabilities that simplify how providers discover, navigate, and engage with UHC's digital ecosystem. By working across UnitedHealthcare and the broader UnitedHealth Group organization, we reduce friction, enhance provider experience, and help advance UHC's mission to make the health system work better for everyone.
Our team collaborates closely with engineering, platform, and business partners to integrate diverse applications and data sources into a seamless provider experience across Portal, API, EDI, Chat, and Voice channels. We are also advancing the responsible use of AI, including developing digital assistants and chatbots for both chat and voice interactions, always with a focus on safety, compliance, and improving provider workflows. Our work plays a critical role in scaling digital access, supporting the evolving needs of healthcare providers, and enabling faster, more efficient problem-solving across the care delivery ecosystem.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.
MN/DC - This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.
NJ - This position follows a hybrid schedule with three in-office days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead AI/ML adoption across the team, driving innovative use of both Generative AI and traditional ML techniques
• Design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and continuously improve AI-powered software solutions to meet customer and business needs
• Build responsible AI solutions and service components to support the Provider community, ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory standards
• Develop new features leveraging AI/ML, including Generative AI models, predictive analytics, and automation capabilities
• Provide technical leadership for AI initiatives, including Chatbots and conversational AI solutions
• Partner with product management, architects, and engineering leadership to deliver creative, scalable AI solutions for healthcare challenges
• Drive alignment with enterprise AI strategies and ensure solutions meet business objectives and engineering best practices
• Accountable for high-quality software deliverables and operational excellence
• Mentor and train team members on AI/ML technologies, frameworks, and responsible AI practices
• Collaborate with broader engineering teams to integrate AI into cloud modernization efforts and digital-first initiatives
• Exercise independent judgment to prioritize, plan, and manage AI-related activities and projects

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:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of software engineering experience
• 5+ years of hands-on experience building AI/ML solutions, including LLMs, Generative AI, and traditional ML models
• 5+ years of experience with Web and API development
• 5+ years of experience hosting applications in cloud environments (AWS preferred)
• Solid experience with Chatbots, Conversational AI, and NLP-based solutions
• Solid experience with Agentic AI (MCP or similar agent orchestration frameworks) and Strands Agents
• Solid experience in Python or Java
• Solid knowledge of security, access controls, logging, monitoring, performance tuning, disaster recovery, and production operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience in the healthcare industry
• Full-stack engineering experience

*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.