Director AI Architecture - Hybrid MN and DC, remote elsewhere

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 is a global organization delivering care, powered by data and technology, to help millions of people live healthier lives. At Optum.ai, we are not just witnessing the AI transformation in healthcare-we are leading it. Our mission is clear: to simplify healthcare with AI, turning insight into action at a scale few organizations in the world can match.

As part of the Optum.ai team, you'll work at the intersection of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and real-world healthcare impact. From reducing administrative burden for providers to anticipating patient needs and improving access to quality care, your work will help solve some of healthcare's most complex challenges-and directly improve health outcomes for millions of people.

You'll collaborate with world-class talent across data science, engineering, product, and healthcare domains, backed by the reach and stability of Optum and UnitedHealth Group. Here, responsible innovation matters. So do comprehensive benefits, meaningful career growth, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference-advancing health equity and creating a simpler, more connected healthcare experience for everyone.

This is more than a job. It's a chance to shape the future of healthcare through the transformative power of AI.

Optum AI is UnitedHealth Group's enterprise AI team. We are AI/ML scientists and engineers with deep expertise in AI/ML engineering for health care. We develop AI/ML solutions for the highest impact opportunities across UnitedHealth Group businesses including UnitedHealthcare, Optum Financial, Optum Health, Optum Insight, and Optum Rx. In addition to transforming the health care journey through responsible AI/ML innovation, our charter also includes developing and supporting an enterprise AI/ML development platform.

As a Director of AI Architecture, you will define and lead enterprise AI architecture strategy across multiple large-scale programs and platforms. You will serve as a senior technical leader responsible for designing scalable AI ecosystems, establishing architecture standards, and ensuring responsible AI adoption across the enterprise. This role requires deep technical expertise in AI/ML platforms, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Define enterprise AI architecture strategy and drive the enterprise AI architecture vision across multiple programs, aligning platform, data, and AI strategies with enterprise healthcare objectives
• Architect enterprise-scale AI ecosystems including data platforms, ML/GenAI systems, application layers, integration frameworks, and operating models
• Establish and enforce AI architecture standards, reference architectures, and governance frameworks for regulated healthcare environments
• Lead AI platform and multi-cloud strategy across Azure, AWS, and GCP including workload placement, platform standardization, performance optimization, and cost governance
• Drive Responsible AI and model governance frameworks including explainability, auditability, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle management
• Provide executive technical leadership and advisory to senior stakeholders, shaping AI strategy, enterprise platform modernization, and long-term technology roadmaps
• Lead and mentor senior architects and engineering leaders, reviewing architectural designs and guiding teams building large-scale AI systems
• Support strategic initiatives and innovation by influencing enterprise AI adoption, evaluating emerging technologies, and guiding enterprise technology investment decisions

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:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field
• 15+ years of experience in technology architecture or engineering with 10+ years designing large-scale AI/ML platforms and defining enterprise architecture strategy
• 8+ years of experience designing and implementing AI/ML and Generative AI systems including ML platforms, MLOps/LLMOps pipelines, and model lifecycle management
• 8+ years of experience architecting distributed systems in multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, and/or GCP)
• 7+ years in senior architecture or technical leadership roles leading cross-functional teams and influencing executive stakeholders
• 6+ years of experience implementing Responsible AI, model governance, and regulatory compliance frameworks in regulated industries

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field
• Experience architecting AI platforms within healthcare or other highly regulated industries
• Experience supporting enterprise-scale strategic technology initiatives or transformation programs

*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 $134,600 to $230,800 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.

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