Lead Data Scientist - R, Python, Machine Learning, NLP, Gen AI

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.

As a Lead Data Scientist within Optum Technology in Bangalore, India, you will be at the forefront of driving AI/ML innovation. Our team is dedicated to designing, developing, and deploying robust, scalable AI-powered solutions that power health technologies across the enterprise. In this role, you will research, develop, and refine state-of-the-art AI models and intelligent, agentic capabilities. Utilizing advanced technologies such as natural language processing (NLP), deep learning frameworks, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate AI advancements into scalable, production-ready capabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to lead projects, mentor talented peers, and uphold ethical AI principles to solve complex challenges at an enterprise scale.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on the responsible use of AI.
• Lead projects involving natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, deep learning, and data analysis to continuously improve products and services
• Collaborate with research, engineering, and product teams to translate cutting-edge AI advancements into scalable, production-ready capabilities that can be re-used by the enterprise
• Create intelligent agents and advanced agentic capabilities capable of understanding and performing complex tasks to enhance user interaction and workflows
• Utilize prompt engineering techniques to refine, optimize, and evaluate AI model responses.
  Integrate systems with Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to handle large-scale AI computations and ensure smooth backend synchronization
• Uphold ethical AI principles by embedding fairness, transparency, and accountability throughout the model development lifecycle
• Collaborate across cross-functional teams, including data scientists, product managers, and software developers, to define clear objectives, deliverables, and timelines
• Evaluate emerging trends and new developments in AI/ML technologies to inform strategic innovation and solution design
• Mentor junior engineers and team members, providing guidance and support in AI/ML methodologies and implementation
• Ensure compliance with enterprise data privacy, security, and protection guideline
• 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 degree in Computer science or similar field
• 9+ years of proven experience in data science, AI/ML, or statistical model development, with a portfolio of deploying production-level AI models
• 5+ years of experience with programming languages such as Python, R, or Java
• 3+ years of experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP), prompt engineering, and designing intelligent agent architectures
• 3+ years of experience utilizing deep learning frameworks and libraries (such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras)
• 2+ years of experience leading technical projects, mentoring team members, or managing project deliverables
• 1+ years of experience working with Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers or similar distributed computing systems for AI scale

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors/Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical AI principles, including fairness, transparency, and accountability in model development.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including product managers and software developers in an Agile development environment
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate technical metrics to non-technical audiences

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.