Lead Data Scientist - Remote

Requisition Number: 2362665
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.
This role is a senior, hands-on AI/ML engineering position focused on building, enhancing, and integrating Machine Learning and Generative AI solutions within Databricks.
Working in office if based in MSP or DC
Primary Responsibilities:

• Designing and implementing ML models
• Creating custom embeddings
• Building RAG pipelines
• Implementing vector databases
• Developing agentic workflows with LangChain
• Integrating AI into enterprise applications for Claims Payment Integrity (PI)
• The role partners closely with Data Scientists, Product Teams, and Platform Teams to deploy AI-driven intelligence across PI use cases
• Contribute to experimentation with novel ML and Generative AI architectures
• Create and maintain embedding models (domain-specific embeddings, document/text embeddings)
• Support Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions, including semantic search, vector databases, and LLM integration
• Help design and implement AI-powered enterprise applications
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights
• Partner with AI/ML Engineers and Leads to enhance existing models and improve model accuracy and performance
• Optimize AI pipelines for scalability, performance, reliability, and cost efficiency
• Integrate AI/ML solutions into enterprise systems by partnering closely with data engineering, product, and platform teams
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, communicating complex technical concepts clearly
• Contribute to skill development for engineers and interns in AI/LLM techniques
• Comply with company policies, procedures, and directives

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/Master's in CS, Engineering, Mathematics/Statistics, or related
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist
• 5+ years of relevant experience, including strong ML end to end model development (data prep → feature creation → training → evaluation)
• 5+ years of experience with Python, Scala, SQL
• 3+ years of Databricks, Spark
• 2+ years of experience with LLM & GenAI Skills:
  • Creating custom embedding models
  • Building RAG pipelines
  • Vector DBs & semantic search
  • Using LangChain for agentic workflows (tools, agents, memory)
  • Experience with OpenAI/Azure OpenAI APIs
  • Experience with Azure cloud for compute, security, and resource management
  • CI/CD familiarity using Git, GitHub Actions/Jenkins, Terraform
  • Excellent communication and partnership skills
• Experience with Actuarial, Risk and Forecasting Models

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with healthcare claims data
• Experience with Azure, Databricks, Snowflake, LLMs and/or similar tools
• Demonstrated problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to be flexible and work with ambiguity

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.