Lead AI Engineer

Lead AI Engineer role with Optum Tech to shape an AI-first engineering direction for the PATH initiative and lead responsible, enterprise-scale AI delivery.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the AI-First engineering vision, architecture, and roadmap for the PATH platform
• Own adoption of an AI Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) across requirements, design, coding, testing, deployment, operations, and support
• Set measurable productivity, quality, and efficiency goals using AI-powered engineering practices
• Drive adoption of Generative AI , Agentic AI , copilots, intelligent automation, and knowledge-driven workflows
• Implement AI-assisted development activities including code reviews , test generation , documentation , incident analysis , and DevSecOps automation
• Establish AI governance frameworks including responsible AI controls, model evaluation frameworks, security guardrails, and compliance standards
• Mentor teams on prompt engineering , Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) , agent frameworks, AI observability , and AI solution architecture
• Serve as a senior technical leader and escalation point for critical application, integration, data, batch, cloud architecture, and production issues
• Translate complex business and regulatory requirements into technical designs, implementation plans, and engineering deliverables
• Integrate enterprise AI tools, set AI goals in development plans, and promote responsible and ethical AI usage across engineering teams

Requirements

• 10+ years of enterprise software engineering experience
• 5+ years experience as a Lead Engineer, Architect, or in senior technical leadership roles
• 3+ years demonstrated experience leading AI transformation, AI-enabled SDLC initiatives, or enterprise AI adoption programs
• Hands-on experience with Generative AI , Agentic AI , Large Language Models (LLMs) , RAG , vector databases , AI orchestration , and model evaluation
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS) , DevSecOps , CI/CD automation , monitoring, and observability tools
• Experience working in government or regulated environments (e.g., Human Services, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, Child Welfare, or Eligibility systems)
• Experience measuring AI-driven productivity gains , efficiency improvements, and key engineering KPIs

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical field
• Experience building AI Centers of Excellence , AI governance programs, or enterprise AI platforms
• Proven ability to establish responsible AI controls, security guardrails, and compliance frameworks
• Solid track record of influencing cross-functional technical delivery without relying on direct reporting authority

Technologies

• Generative AI, Agentic AI, Large Language Models (LLMs)
• RAG, vector databases, AI orchestration, model evaluation
• AWS, DevSecOps, CI/CD automation, monitoring, observability tools
• Prompt engineering, copilots, intelligent automation, agent frameworks, AI observability

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package
• Incentive and recognition programs
• Equity stock purchase
• 401k contribution (all benefits subject to eligibility requirements)

Work Location and Flexibility

• Remote work from anywhere within the U.S.
• For hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area: required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week

Remote policy: All employees working remotely must adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy.

Pay

Salary range: $112,700 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment.

Application Deadline

• Posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected
• May come down early due to volume of applicants

All employees (drug-free workplace): UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.