Principal Software Engineer - Remote

Optum Tech is a global leader in health care innovation. Our teams develop cutting-edge solutions that help people live healthier lives and help make the health system work better for everyone. From advanced data analytics and AI to cybersecurity, we use innovative approaches to solve some of health care's most complex challenges. Your contributions here have the potential to change lives. Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

We are seeking a Senior Application Developer with solid expertise in Generative AI across both open source and AWS ecosystems. The role focuses on building scalable AI-driven applications, conversational solutions, and agentic systems using modern GenAI frameworks while leveraging cloud platforms for deployment and integration. The candidate will play a key role in designing, developing, and delivering intelligent digital experiences.

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: 

• Design and develop AI-driven applications and conversational solutions
• Build and optimize chatbot and virtual assistant experiences
• Contribute to HLD/LLD and solution design decisions
• Ensure scalability, performance, and maintainability of applications
• Develop production-grade GenAI applications using open-source frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph)
• Build RAG pipelines, semantic search, and knowledge-based assistants
• Implement agentic workflows and multi-agent orchestration
• Work with LLMs (Claude, GPT, Llama, Mistral) and apply prompt engineering techniques
• Design evaluation, observability, and guardrails for AI systems
• Leverage AWS services such as Amazon Bedrock, Lambda, and API integrations
• Integrate AI solutions with enterprise applications and digital platforms
• Support deployment, monitoring, and scaling of AI workloads in cloud environments
• Develop APIs and backend services (REST/FastAPI)
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to gather and refine requirements

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: 

• 8+ years of overall IT experience
• 3+ years of relevant experience in Generative AI, Conversational AI, or AI application development
• 3+ years of experience in building GenAI applications (RAG, LLM-based systems, agents)
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with open source GenAI frameworks (LangChain, LangGraph)
• 3+ years of experience with AWS GenAI services (Amazon Bedrock, Lambda, APIs)
• Solid programming skills (Python preferred)
• API development experience (REST/FastAPI)
• Driver's License and access to reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Relevant certifications in AI/ML or cloud technologies
• Proven excellent communication and stakeholder management experience
• Experience with vector databases (Pinecone, Weaviate, PGVector)
• Proven knowledge of AI evaluation tools and frameworks
• Demonstrated familiarity with containerization (Docker) and deployment practices
• Experience in conversational platforms or contact center solutions
• Exposure to enterprise-scale AI/GenAI implementations

*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 $112,700 to $193,200 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.