Senior Manager AI or ML Engineering

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum AI are looking for a Senior manager of AI/ML Engineering to work in collaboration with our team of talented engineers and scientists in developing cutting-edge AI/ML solutions for various healthcare domains and applications leading our India team. You will be responsible for setting the vision, strategy, and roadmap for our AI/ML initiatives, as well as overseeing the design, development, and deployment of AI/ML models and systems. You will also collaborate with other senior leaders, stakeholders, and customers to ensure alignment and integration of AI/ML capabilities across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement AI and machine learning strategies for several healthcare domains
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and prioritize AI and machine learning initiatives
• Develop and maintain solid relationships with stakeholders, customers, and partners internally and externally
• Represent Optum AI work and teams across Optum global leadership
• Maintain accountability for the integrity of code design, implementation, quality, data, and ongoing maintenance and operations. Stay hands-on, self-driven, and continuously learn new approaches, languages, and frameworks with significant focus on infusing AI/ML/GenAI where possible/appropriate. Create technical specifications, and write high-quality, supportable, scalable code and review code of other engineers, mentoring them, to ensure all quality KPIs are met or exceeded. Demonstrate collaborative skills to work effectively with diverse teams
• 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 regards 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:

• A Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or a related discipline
• 12+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Data Science, or Analytics with 8+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering or related fields and last 2 years focused on GenAI as well as technologies like OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, LangChain, Agents, RAG, Vector databases, and approaches like Prompt Engineering, fine-tuning, etc.
• Hands-on experience in AI and drive the development of innovative AI and machine learning solutions
• Experience with AI/ML frameworks and tools, such as MLFlow, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-learn, etc.
• Experience with cloud platforms and services, such as AWS, Azure, GCP, etc.
• Experience with DevOps and CI/CD tools and practices, such as Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing AI/ML teams and projects, from ideation to delivery and evaluation
• Expertise in various AI/ML techniques, such as deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, recommender systems, reinforcement learning, large language models, etc.
• Deep expertise in modern software engineering practices and principles, including AI/ML/GenAI, Agile methodologies and DevSecOps to deliver daily product deployments using full automation from code check-in to production with all quality checks through SDLC lifecycle. Strive to be a role model, leveraging these techniques to optimize solutioning and product delivery. Demonstrate solid understanding of the full lifecycle product development, focusing on continuous improvement and learning
• Proficiency in Python or other programming languages for data analysis and AI/ML development
• Proven excellent communication, presentation, and people skills, with the ability to explain complex AI/ML concepts and results to technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven solid analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to balance innovation and pragmatism
• A passion for learning and staying updated with the latest AI/ML trends and research

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or related discipline
• Experience in working with cross-functional and distributed teams in a global and diverse environment
• Experience in mentoring, coaching, and developing AI/ML talent
• Experience in establishing and enforcing AI/ML best practices, standards, and ethics
• Background in Healthcare (AI)
• Proven history of delivering high-impact AI/ML solutions for real-world problems and use cases
• A portfolio of AI/ML publications, patents, or awards

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.