Security Architect- Remote or Hybrid in MN or DC

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.

The Security Architect serves as a technical security authority supporting mergers and acquisitions (M&A) security implementation programs. This role is responsible for defining, influencing, and implementing security architectures and controls that are being developed to be included within Optum's current security portfolio, while ensuring integrations are executed securely, efficiently, and in alignment with enterprise risk tolerance.

This role operates at the intersection of integration delivery, security architecture, and product/platform evolution. The Principal Security Architect partners closely with M&A targets, Enterprise Security, Infrastructure, Cloud, Application, and Product teams to translate integration-driven security needs into actionable architectures, capability gaps, roadmap recommendations, and ready to implement accordingly both individually and by others within the organization.

Success in this role requires the ability to lead through influence without authority, operate effectively amid ambiguity, and balance identified risks with long-term platform and product strategy.

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.

Key Accountabilities:

• Serve as an architect for M&A integration initiatives, accountable for the overall security architecture, risk posture, and strategic alignment of acquired entities
• Lead security discovery and architecture assessments of acquisition targets to identify gaps between current UHG capabilities and required future-state security outcomes
• Define and recommend security solutions and architectural patterns where capabilities do not yet exist, including interim, compensating, and long-term solutions
• Partner with downstream internal teams (Enterprise Security, Infrastructure, Cloud, IAM, Application Security, Product, and Engineering) to:
• Understand existing technical offerings and constraints
• Translate integration-driven security requirements into capability enhancements or net-new solutions
• Influence and shape security product and platform roadmaps to close identified gaps
• Act as a trusted advisor to business and technology leaders, clearly articulating security risk, trade-offs, and architectural options
• Lead the development of future-state security architectures, reference designs, and integration patterns applicable across multiple acquisitions
• Provide architectural oversight through early implementation phases to ensure security intent is preserved and delivered
• Drive alignment across multiple stakeholders with competing priorities, using influence rather than authority
• Mentor and provide architectural guidance to other security and integration architects across the organization
• Represent security architecture in executive-level discussions related to M&A strategy, integration planning, and risk decisions

Primary Responsibilities:

• Own and evolve security architecture standards and patterns for M&A, including:
• Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Network and perimeter security
• Cloud and hybrid security
• Data protection and privacy controls
• Evaluate and document security risks, assumptions, dependencies, and constraints associated with protecting acquired environments
• Produce high-quality internal artifacts including:
• Security architecture diagrams and reference architectures
• Gap analyses and capability assessments
• Roadmap input and security design recommendations
• Provide guidance on secure adoption of Optum platforms while recognizing when non-standard or emerging solutions are required
• Develop automation where applicable that enables security deployments to be faster, more programmatic, and reduce human intervention

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, Information Security, Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in security architecture, enterprise security, or platform security roles, with demonstrated impact at an enterprise level
• Proven experience supporting M&A integrations, complex enterprise transformations, or large-scale platform initiatives
• Solid breadth across IT and security domains, including:
  • Cloud (public, private, hybrid) security architectures
  • IAM, zero trust, and secure access models
  • Network, endpoint, and infrastructure security
  • Security orchestration & automated response
• Demonstrated ability to operate in high ambiguity environments where requirements, solutions, or products are not yet fully defined
• Experience influencing product, platform, or service roadmaps based on architectural and security needs
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex security concepts to technical and non-technical audiences
• Proven track record of leading through influence across organizational boundaries

Preferred Qualifications:

• Healthcare or other highly regulated industry experience
• Expert level experience with the following tools:
  • Zscaler
  • Palo Alto
  • Microsoft Entra
  • Splunk
  • Tanium
• Experience designing or influencing enterprise security platforms or shared services
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, NIST, ISO, SOC)
• Experience working with executive stakeholders during acquisition due diligence and integration planning

• Mentorship or thought leadership experience within architecture or security communities that can effectively span down towards younger engineers

*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.