Data Scientist, Applied Analytics and Production Solutions (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 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.

Optum's Enterprise Clinical Services team is seeking a Data Scientist to support the implementation, execution, and expansion of a growing portfolio of applied analytics, automation, AI, and operational solutions that improve healthcare delivery and operational efficiency. This role helps ensure that production models, automations, data pipelines, reporting solutions, optimization tools, and decision-support assets remain reliable, supported, documented, and continuously improved.

Working at the intersection of data science, engineering, and operations, you will own day-to-day execution and support for assigned production capabilities while contributing to new solution development. The role is well suited to someone who can quickly learn new datasets, systems, business domains, and analytical methods, and who wants to grow toward broader solution ownership.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Production stewardship
• Monitor and support production models, automations, decision-support tools, data pipelines, and reporting assets
• Troubleshoot production issues, coordinate resolution activities, and serve as a primary support contact for assigned capabilities
• Evaluate solution and model performance, investigate operational issues, identify root causes, and recommend improvements
• Maintain technical documentation, operational runbooks, monitoring guidance, and knowledge-sharing resources
• Support production reporting, validation, operational readiness, and continuous improvement activities
• Solution development and analytics
• Partner with senior data scientists and business leaders to operationalize research, pilot emerging capabilities, and transition solutions into production environments
• Develop and maintain scalable data pipelines, automated workflows, analytical processes, and application components
• Create dashboards and operational reports that translate complex analytics and model results for non-technical stakeholders
• Conduct ad hoc analyses supporting strategic and operational initiatives
• Support the design, testing, validation, and deployment of analytical and AI-enabled capabilities
• Perform peer reviews of code, analytical methods, and technical processes, and contribute reusable frameworks and best practices
• Capability development
• Build expertise across multiple portfolios, systems, and business domains
• Participate in cross-training, documentation, and knowledge-transfer activities that reduce concentrated ownership
• Expand ownership of analytical and technical initiatives as portfolio and business knowledge grows
• Communicate technical concepts, findings, risks, and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical partners

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:

• 2+ years of post college experience 
• 2+ years of experience in data analytics using Python
• 2+ years of experience designing, implementing, and maintaining automated processes or workflows
• 2+ years of experience creating data visualizations, dashboards, or business intelligence solutions using Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools
• 2+ years of experience with SQL, data engineering, data modeling, query optimization, or database development using Microsoft SQL Server or a similar platform
• 1+ years of experience applying analytical, statistical, optimization, or machine learning techniques to business problems
• Working knowledge of predictive modeling, machine learning, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and their business applications
• Proven solid analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to work independently in environments with ambiguity, incomplete documentation, and evolving requirements, and to learn new technologies and business domains quickly

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting production analytical systems, models, data pipelines, or automation solutions
• Experience in healthcare analytics or healthcare operations
• Experience in call-center or contact-center operations
• Experience in logistics, operations research, supply chain, workforce optimization, scheduling, routing, network optimization, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Experience with Generative AI, large language models (LLMs), natural language processing (NLP), voice analytics, or AI-enabled quality assurance
• Experience administering analytics infrastructure, including compute resources, databases, job-scheduling platforms, and application environments used for data science or business intelligence solutions

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

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer 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 us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $72,800 - $130,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.    

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

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