Senior AI/ML Engineer

Requisition Number: 2369776
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.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end delivery of AI/ML programs across portfolios with accountability for timelines, quality, and business outcomes
• Lead cross-functional teams (Data Science, ML, Data Engineering, Platform) and manage capacity, hiring, and performance
• Define execution plan aligned to AI strategy:
  • Roadmaps, milestones, dependencies, and release plans
  • Clear success metrics (ROI, adoption, efficiency, accuracy)
  • Drive AIDLC adoption across teams:
  • Standard processes, governance, and delivery frameworks
  • Consistent model lifecycle management and delivery discipline
• Ensure stable, scalable production delivery:
  • Oversee architecture, design reviews, and quality standards
  • Ensure reliability, performance, and SLAs
  • Manage stakeholder engagement:
  • Primary interface with business, product, and leadership
  • Align priorities, expectations, and delivery outcomes
• Govern data, AI, and platform usage:
  • Ensure compliance, security, and responsible AI practices
  • Track and control program-level risks
• Own cost and budget management:
  • Optimize resource allocation and tool usage
  • Monitor program-level cost vs value
• Drive engineering excellence and team productivity:
  • Agile, DevOps practices
  • Standardization and reuse across teams
  • Deliver measurable outcomes:
  • On-time delivery
  • Business impact (revenue, efficiency, adoption)
  • Team velocity and quality
• Scientist Responsibilities:
  • Collaborate with research, engineering, and product teams to translate cutting-edge AI advancements into production-ready capabilities. Uphold ethical AI principles by embedding fairness, transparency, and accountability
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regard to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's in Computer Science / AI / Data Science / Engineering or related field
• Experience & Skills
  • 16+ years; solid delivery leadership in AI/ML programs
  • Proven team management and stakeholder influence
  • Broad technical expertise across AI, data, and platforms
• Technical Skills
  • Programming: Python, SQL
  • AI/ML: ML models, deep learning (PyTorch / TensorFlow)
  • Generative AI: LLMs, RAG, prompt engineering, vector databases
  • Agentic AI: Multi-agent frameworks, orchestration, tool integration
  • Data Handling: Feature engineering, data pipelines, experimentation
  • Cloud Platforms: Azure / AWS / GCP
  • Optimization: Token usage, model selection, cost-performance tuning
  • Tools: Experimentation frameworks, AI toolchains, prototyping platforms
• Solid ability to drive execution with partial ownership of delivery
• Good hands-on technical depth in AI/ML systems
• Ability to manage teams while contributing technically
• Solid communication and coordination skills

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.
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