Director of AI/ML Engineering - NJ/MN Office-Based, Remote Considered

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. Join us in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Director of AI/ML Engineering within our team, you will lead a highly skilled engineering team focused on building, deploying, and scaling responsible AI-powered and technology solutions. You will collaborate with cross-functional partners to drive strategic innovation, implement modern solutions, and deliver high-impact AI capabilities that directly improve healthcare outcomes. In this role, you will manage a team of 45+ engineering professionals to build, deploy, and maintain high-impact, reliable solution that transform and shape the future of healthcare technology on an enterprise scale.

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

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Lead a 45+ member engineering organization in driving digital transformation through AI-enabled, customer-centric solutions and modern technology platforms
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible AI practices
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools and modern engineering practices to streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and drive continuous operational improvement
• Evaluate emerging technologies and AI/ML trends to inform architectural design, solution patterns, and strategic innovation
• Establish and control code quality standards, development best practices, and defect-free code delivery across engineering teams
• Enable software engineering teams to succeed in modern design patterns through hands-on guidance, technical mentoring, and code reviews
• Propose and drive automation initiatives to reduce development efforts across the software development lifecycle
• Direct portfolio management, including hiring, talent development, performance management, retention, and compensation administration for your span of care
• Manage team performance and development, including policy administration, compliance, coaching, recognition, and disciplinary action
• Build strong working relationships and influence team members, peers, leadership, customers, and key stakeholders to drive business alignment

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, Software Engineering, or a related field
• 12+ years of experience building and delivering large-scale enterprise software using modern technologies (React, Java) and cloud platforms (AWS)
• Experience leading and developing engineering organizations of 45+ team members, including talent management, organizational growth, and delivery excellence
• Hands-on experience building and deploying AI-powered capabilities in production environments
• Solid expertise in system architecture, cloud-native design, scalability, reliability, APIs, and distributed systems
• Demonstrated ability to drive engineering best practices across software development, CI/CD, quality, security, stability and operational excellence
• Demonstrated exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to influence technical teams, business partners, and executive stakeholders while navigating ambiguity and driving outcomes

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field
• Experience working within health care or health insurance technology environments
• Healthcare or health insurance technology experience, with knowledge of provider, claims, or member-facing platforms
• Solid expertise in cloud-native technologies, including Kubernetes, Docker, and distributed systems
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale platform modernization and legacy application transformation initiatives

*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 $176,700 - $302,900 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 help make the health system work better for everyone. Together, we are shaping the future of healthcare by harnessing technology and innovation to make care simpler to navigate, more affordable and more connected for the people we serve. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued, heard and respected, empowering people to bring their authentic selves to work and strengthening our collective impact through diverse talents, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

UnitedHealth Group and its affiliated brands are 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 and its affiliated brands are a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

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