Senior Software Engineer

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Senior Software Engineer at Optum Technology, you will be responsible for designing and delivering production-grade Agentic AI and Generative AI platforms across enterprise systems. You will work on cutting-edge platforms involving deep integration with Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, Large Language Models (LLMs), scalable cloud infrastructure, and modern API gateway solutions. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional technology and security teams to build resilient, secure, and automated platform architectures that drive innovation and transform healthcare capabilities.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, build, and deliver production-grade Agentic AI and Generative AI platforms, including deep integration with Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered platform solutions to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible, secure, and compliant AI use
• Implement, configure, and maintain API Gateway solutions (e.g., Kong, Azure APIM, Envoy, or equivalent) to route, manage, and secure AI services and microservices
• Enforce robust identity and access management controls across platforms, including OAuth2.0/2.1, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) authentication models
• Provision, automate, and maintain cloud infrastructure using containerization technologies and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform
• Evaluate emerging AI trends, platform tools, and enterprise-approved frameworks to inform solution design and strategic technology innovation
• Collaborate with software architects, security experts, and product teams to establish engineering guardrails, integration patterns, and platform best practices
• Perform code reviews, establish automated CI/CD and testing standards, and mentor team members in modern cloud and AI platform engineering practices

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 5+ years of professional software engineering experience designing, developing, and deploying enterprise-grade platforms or software systems
• 2+ years of hands-on experience working with cloud technologies (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), containerization platforms (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), and Infrastructure as Code using Terraform
• 2+ years of experience working with API Gateway solutions (such as Kong, Azure APIM, Envoy, or equivalent)
• 2+ years demonstrated experience building, integrating, or deploying Generative AI models, Large Language Models (LLMs), or AI platform components
• 2+ years of working knowledge and practical experience with identity and access management controls, including OAuth2.0/2.1, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) identities
• Demonstrated experience developing RESTful APIs, microservices, and automated continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent work experience)
• Hands-on experience with Model Context Protocol (MCP) server architecture and orchestration
• Experience with vector databases, prompt engineering patterns, or AI agent framework tools (e.g., LangChain, LlamaIndex, AutoGen)
• Experience designing and managing event-driven architectures and message brokers (e.g., Apache Kafka, RabbitMQ)
• Knowledge of healthcare data privacy, security frameworks, and regulatory compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA)

*All Telecommuters 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 $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

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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