Director, Data Engineering - OptumRx Technology - Remote

Job ID: 99500423952Posted: 2026-08-21Location: Schaumburg, Illinois, United StatesSalary: $134,600 - $230,800/yearJob Area: TechnologyCompany: UnitedHealth GroupOptum 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.Director, Data Engineering & AI leads the strategy, architecture, and execution of enterprise data platforms that power analytics, machine learning, and generative AI capabilities. The role is accountable for building scalable AI-ready data foundations, governing trusted data assets, enabling responsible AI adoption, and delivering business value through modern data products while leading high-performing engineering teams and driving enterprise-wide transformation.You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.Primary Responsibilities:AI-Ready Data Platform StrategyDefine and drive the enterprise data engineering and AI platform visionEstablish scalable data architectures to support analytics, machine learning, GenAI, and agentic AI solutionsEnsure data platforms are cloud-native, secure, resilient, and cost-efficientBuild AI-ready data foundations including semantic layers, metadata, lineage, and knowledge graphsData Engineering LeadershipLead multiple data engineering teams responsible for ingestion, transformation, storage, and consumption of enterprise dataEstablish engineering standards, best practices, and reusable frameworksOversee development of data pipelines, data products, APIs, and real-time streaming solutionsDrive modernization from legacy platforms to cloud-based architecturesAI & Machine Learning EnablementPartner with Data Science and AI teams to operationalize ML and GenAI solutionsBuild feature stores, vector databases, embedding pipelines, and RAG architecturesEnable model training, deployment, monitoring, and lifecycle managementDefine standards for AI observability, explainability, and responsible AIEnterprise Data GovernanceEstablish data quality, stewardship, lineage, cataloging, and master data management processesEnsure compliance with regulatory, privacy, and security requirementsImplement governance frameworks for AI training data and AI-generated outputsDrive trusted and certified data asset programsData Product ManagementChampion a data-as-a-product mindsetDefine ownership, SLAs, and quality standards for enterprise data productsPrioritize investments based on business value and AI-readinessMeasure adoption, quality, and business impact of data productsInnovation & Emerging TechnologiesEvaluate emerging technologies in GenAI, Agentic AI, Data Fabric, Semantic Layer, Knowledge Graphs, and Intelligent AutomationLead proof-of-concepts and enterprise-scale deployment strategiesDrive automation of engineering operations using AI-powered toolingPromote innovation culture across engineering teamsBusiness & Stakeholder EngagementPartner with business, product, analytics, and technology leaders to identify AI-powered opportunitiesTranslate business objectives into scalable data and AI capabilitiesCommunicate technology strategy and value realization to executive leadershipInfluence investment decisions and roadmap prioritiesFinancial & Operational ManagementOwn platform budgets, vendor management, and resource planningOptimize cloud costs and platform utilizationEstablish KPIs for platform reliability, performance, and productivityEnsure operational excellence and adherence to SLAsTalent DevelopmentRecruit, mentor, and develop high-performing data engineering and AI engineering teamsBuild organizational capabilities in cloud, analytics, MLOps, GenAI, and data governanceCreate career growth paths and succession plansFoster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous learningKey Success MetricsData quality and reliabilityAI adoption and business value realizationPlatform availability and performanceData product usage and customer satisfactionEngineering productivity and automationCloud cost optimizationRegulatory and governance complianceTeam engagement and retentionYou'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 experienceHands-on experience with AI, creating agentic solutionsSolid knowledge of Unix and shell scriptingSolid understanding of DWH principles, Spark/Databricks, Azure Architecture Solid understanding of Data Architecture and Azure CloudUnderstanding of QA and testing automation processUnderstanding and knowledge of Agile*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 $134,600 - $230,800 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.