Senior AI or ML Engineer – Gen AI, NLP and Python

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.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced AI/ML Engineering Manager and Technical Specialist to lead our team of dedicated professionals. The ideal candidate will have 8-14 years of hands-on experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning, with a proven track record of managing complex projects and driving innovation. This role requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and strategic vision to advance our AI/ML initiatives and deliver impactful solutions.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management
  • Lead and mentor a team of AI/ML engineers and data scientists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment
  • Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of AI/ML projects, ensuring alignment with company goals and timelines
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product managers, software engineers, and business stakeholders to define project requirements and deliverables
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for professional growth and development
• Technical Expertise
  • Design and implement state-of-the-art AI/ML models and algorithms to solve complex business problems
  • Stay abreast of the latest advancements in AI/ML technologies and best practices, ensuring the team adopts cutting-edge methodologies
  • Lead the development and optimization of data pipelines, ensuring data quality and integrity throughout the AI/ML lifecycle
  • Evaluate and select appropriate tools, frameworks, and platforms to enhance the efficiency and scalability of AI/ML solutions
• Strategic Vision
  • Develop and execute a comprehensive AI/ML strategy that aligns with the company’s long-term objectives and market trends
  • Identify new opportunities for AI/ML applications and drive innovation to maintain a competitive edge
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to secure resources and funding for AI/ML initiatives
  • Represent the company in industry conferences, workshops, and other forums to showcase our AI/ML capabilities and thought leadership
• 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 or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field. A Ph.D. (a plus)
• 8+ years of experience in AI/ML development, with at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role
• Proven experience in designing, developing, and deploying AI/ML models in real-world applications
• Solid programming skills in languages such as Python, R, or Java, and proficiency with AI/ML frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or scikit-learn
• Proven excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and strategically about AI/ML solutions
• Proven outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with big data technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, or Kafka
• Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, and their AI/ML services
• Background in natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, or reinforcement learning
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Published research papers or patents in the field of AI/ML

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.