Principal Data Scientist

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

Overview: The Enterprise Intelligence Suite (EIS) is seeking a Principal Data Scientist to support various data science projects. This position is responsible for end-to-end model development life cycle for our clients in the provider segments. We are investing significantly in new capabilities to design, develop, and deliver better solutions for these clients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conceptualize, define, and deliver solutions that enable data science teams to build and scale Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models along with GEN AI solutions
• Lead the development and implementation of advanced reporting, analytic approaches, and tooling
• Collaborate with other leaders to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire organization.

Our Mission: Our teams are at the forefront of building and adapting the latest technologies to propel healthcare forward in a way that better serves everyone. With our hands at work across all aspects of health, we use the most advanced development tools, AI, data science, and innovative approaches to make the healthcare system work better for everyone.

Role Expectations: As a Principal Data Scientist, you will play a crucial leadership role in the development and implementation of advanced reporting, analytic approaches, and tooling. You will work closely with other leaders to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire organization. We’re looking for a thought leader who thrives on architecting new solutions to solve tough challenges and to help us on our mission of helping people live healthier lives.

The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with various business and data analytics teams, have proven business analysis experience, and the ability to manage multiple competing business projects at one time.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Apply knowledge of statistics, machine learning, programming, data modeling, simulation, and advanced mathematics to recognize patterns, identify opportunities, pose business questions, and make valuable discoveries leading to prototype development and product improvement
• Architect the solutions; collaborate with stakeholders and internal business partners to understand business requirements and translate them into analytical solutions
• Design, code, test, document, and maintain high-quality and scalable Big Data solutions, delivered on time
• Accountability for socializing to the leadership; provide insights and guidance into actionable analytic findings through clear, succinct written and oral summaries, tables, charts, reports or presentations, that can be understood by a variety of audiences
• Synthesize business requirements and translate into technical specifications.  Define technical, data and system configuration specifications and business analysis requirements
• Utilize a broad range of analytic approaches including predictive analytics, issue detection, trend analysis, and data visualization to best address the business priorities
• Develop proficiency with departmental programming, analytic, and reporting software and other tools
• Comply with and contribute to departmental standards related to data, data governance, project planning, validation, and documentation
• 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: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field (data science, analytics, mathematics, economics, statistics, engineering,) or equivalent experience
• Advanced experience in Machine Learning or AI model development and deployment
• Extensive experience working within technical and business professionals in a matrix management environment, managing multiple priorities and deadlines
• Experience or knowledge of cloud-based data analytics e.g. (AWS, Azure, Snowflake)
• Proven track record of leading analytics projects requiring experience with statistical models with an understanding of different statistical methods and approaches
• Expert level of proficiency in at least one scripting language such as Python, PySpark etc..

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph. D or Master’s Degree in relevant field (data science, analytics, mathematics, economics, business, statistics, engineering, or finance) or equivalent experience
• Experience in medical or insurance data
• Experience in AI-ML and Generative AI Use Cases leveraging LLM’s
• Understanding of US Healthcare system

Soft Skill:

• Demonstrated expertise in problem solving, data management, study design, and study implementation along with excellent communications 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.