Senior Director Software Engineering – Remote

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. 

Information is the lifeblood of the healthcare industry – everything depends on it. At Optum Insight Technology, you’ll help us work on streamlining the flow of information between payers, healthcare providers and various other stakeholders to deliver the right insights to the right places at the right times, driving better outcomes for patients, reducing friction in the health system and lowering costs. Every day our work directly impacts the world for the better, in meaningful and profound ways.  

We live in a time of unprecedented technical capability and possibility. Health care is at a pivotal point in this journey where even small gains can lead to major transformation. You could be a part of that – you have tremendous skill and the potential to make a lasting impact. Optum Insight Technology is uniquely positioned to bring your skills to bear on these pressing and life-changing technical challenges. The health care industry has an immediate need for your drive, innovation, passion and technical insight. Help us help the millions of people we serve each day. 

The Clinical Decision Support (CDS) Engineering team, a unit within the Optum Insight Technology organization is responsible for building commercial products helping payers and providers with administrative and clinician focused CDS solutions.  We are seeking a leader who can bring deep expertise across software, data, and AI/ML disciplines to enhance existing CDS solutions as well as lead the development of exciting new products.  CDS is an area that truly touches payers, providers, as well as members and one where you can have a huge impact on improving the healthcare system for everyone.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead a Global Engineering team building software, data, and AI/ML solutions commercially sold to Optum Insight’s Provider and Payer Markets
• Partner with Strategic Product Partners to build robust product roadmaps
• Manage matrix partners and cross-functional stakeholder strategy
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation
• Hiring and development of directors, managers, and engineers across data, software, and AI/ML disciplines
• Presenting to executive leaders on project execution and technology strategy
• Technology selection across software, data, and AI/ML domains
• Ensuring product delivery follows Enterprise methodologies
• Ensuring Security practices and vulnerability remediation are part of the core DNA with the how the team operates

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:

• 10+ years in the software engineering profession
• 5+ years of AI/ML development experience
• 5+ years of Healthcare Industry experience
• 5+ years of Public Cloud experience
• 2+ years of GenAI experience
• Legally authorized to work in the US without any restrictions. Proof will be required

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering with a proven track record of deploying models in production environments
• Experience building and releasing AI Agents
• Experience building AI/ML teams
• Experience with multi-modal AI, integrating text, image, and other data types
• Experience with AI governance, ethics, and bias mitigation strategies
• Experience with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes) technologies
• Experience leading and influencing in a heavily matrixed organization
• Extensive experience with Natural Language Processing (NLP) and integrating large language models
• Expertise in machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) and AI/ML development tools
• Knowledge of MLOps practices and tools for continuous integration and deployment of ML models
• Deep knowledge of the latest AI paradigms and technologies for evaluating, deploying, and managing risks related to LLM integration
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and their AI/ML services
• Understanding of Agentic Workflow development
• Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles
• Proficiency in integrating advanced search capabilities within AI-driven products including a solid understanding of vector embeddings and experience with vector databases/stores (e.g., elasticsearch, Pinecone) for similarity search and retrieval
• Proficient in programming languages Python, SQL, JavaScript, TypeScript
• Proficient with data processing techniques for various data formats and information extraction
• Proven ability to evaluate and select appropriate LLMs and AI models based on use-case requirements

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

The salary range for this role is $150,200 to $288,500 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.