Lead AI/ML Engineer - | Prairie, |

Lead AI/ML Engineer

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.

We are redefining how clinical teams work by embedding AI directly into Utilization Management (UM) and Care Management (CM) workflows - where decisions impact real patients every day. Our team partners closely with clinical leaders, business stakeholders, and operations teams to identify high value pain points and turn them into scalable, production ready AI solutions that improve efficiency, quality, and clinician experience.

This is not a research only or sandbox AI role. Our solutions are actively deployed within clinical workflows, helping nurses, care managers, and clinicians spend less time on manual, administrative effort and more time delivering care. From intelligent case summarization to workflow automation and decision support, we focus on pragmatic AI that delivers measurable impact at scale.

As a Lead AI/ML Engineer, you will drive end to end ownership - shaping problem statements with the business, designing and implementing AI/ML solutions, and ensuring they integrate seamlessly into existing platforms and workflows. You will influence technical direction, mentor other engineers, and play a key role in operationalizing AI responsibly within a regulated healthcare environment.

If you're excited about using AI to solve real clinical problems, enjoy working closely with cross functional partners, and want your work to directly improve how care is delivered to patients, this role offers a rare opportunity to do exactly that.

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 full stack applications using Next.js, React, and modern TypeScript patterns
• Build and integrate LLM powered capabilities (e.g., summarization, search, assistants, decision support) using industry standard AI frameworks and APIs
• Design and optimize backend services and APIs, ensuring scalability, reliability, and security
• Develop and manage data models and queries using PostgreSQL, focusing on performance and data integrity
• Deploy, monitor, and operate applications on Microsoft Azure (App Services, Containers, Functions, Storage, AI services, etc.)
• Implement best practices for cloud architecture, CI/CD pipelines, observability, and cost optimization
• Collaborate with architects and AI engineers on system design, model integration, and platform capabilities
• Write clean, testable, and well documented code; lead by example in code reviews and technical standards
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical decision making and solution direction

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 or related role or 4+ years of equivalent experience
• 8+ years of professional software engineering experience, including full stack development
• 4+ years of experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and cloud native deployment models
• 4+ years of experience with Next.js / React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architectures
• 4+ years of backend development experience with Node.js (or equivalent server side frameworks)
• 4+ years of experience working with PostgreSQL or other relational databases
• 4+ years of experience building and deploying applications on Microsoft Azure
• 2+ years of experience integrating AI/LLMs into applications (prompting, orchestration, APIs, etc.)
• 2+ years of experience working with RESTful APIs, authentication/authorization, and secure application design

Preferred Qualification:

• Proven excellent problem solving skills and ability to work across ambiguous problem spaces

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). 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 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.