Principal Data Engineering

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.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Database Platform Engineering
  • Design, build, and manage enterprise-grade Oracle database platforms ensuring scalability, availability, and resilience
  • Develop standardized, reusable reference architectures and blueprints for Oracle deployments across environments
• Cloud Enablement & Transformation
  • Lead adoption of Oracle databases on public cloud platforms (OCI, Azure, AWS, GCP)
  • Design and implement hybrid and cloud-native architectures, including Exadata Cloud and Autonomous Database
  • Drive enterprise cloud migration and modernization initiatives for Oracle workloads
• Automation & Self-Service
  • Build and enhance self-service provisioning capabilities using Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, ARM, etc.)
  • Automate database lifecycle management including provisioning, patching, scaling, backup, and recovery
  • Integrate database services with enterprise platforms (HCP, CI/CD pipelines, service catalogs)
• Performance & Reliability Engineering
  • Proactively monitor and optimize database performance using AWR/ASH, SQL tuning, and capacity planning
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues and ensure adherence to SLAs/SLOs
  • Implement high availability and disaster recovery solutions (RAC, Data Guard, GoldenGate)
• Security & Compliance
  • Implement and enforce database security standards including encryption (TDE), auditing, and access control
  • Partner with security teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and enterprise policies
  • Integrate with tools such as CyberArk and Guardium for credential and activity management
• Backup, Recovery & Data Protection
  • Define and implement enterprise backup and recovery strategies using RMAN and cloud-native solutions
  • Ensure data durability, retention, and recoverability aligned with business requirements
• Governance & COE Leadership
  • Define, publish, and enforce Oracle database standards, best practices, and operational guidelines
  • Review and approve designs, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture and COE principles
  • Maintain documentation and lead continuous improvement initiatives and POCs
• Migration & Modernization
  • Lead or support large-scale database migrations (on-prem to cloud, version upgrades, platform transitions)
  • Assess existing workloads and recommend modernization strategies (replatform, optimize, transform)
• Observability & Operations
  • Implement monitoring, logging, and alerting frameworks using OEM, Splunk, and cloud-native tools
  • Drive operational excellence through incident, problem, and change management best practices
• Stakeholder Collaboration
  • Partner with application, infrastructure, cloud, and security teams to deliver end-to-end solutions
  • Engage with vendors (Oracle, cloud providers, network/platform partners) to resolve issues and drive innovation
• Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to capability building within the COE

  • Conduct knowledge-sharing sessions, create technical documentation, and promote engineering best practices

• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field
• 15+ years of experience in database engineering/administration, with 5+ years focused on Oracle platforms
• Experience working in enterprise-scale environments supporting mission-critical applications
• Demonstrated experience in COE, platform engineering, or shared services models
• Solid hands-on experience with Oracle Database (11g-23c), including RAC, Data Guard, ASM
• Experience managing large-scale, high-volume production environments
• Experience deploying and managing Oracle databases in public cloud (OCI, Azure, AWS, GCP)
• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code tools like Terraform, ARM, or similar
• Scripting experience (Shell, Python, or similar)
• Experience leading or supporting database migration and modernization initiatives
• Experience implementing database security controls (TDE, auditing, access controls)
• Experience with enterprise monitoring tools (OEM, Splunk, cloud-native tools)
• Understanding of enterprise compliance requirements and data protection standards
• Solid understanding of hybrid cloud integration and enterprise networking concepts
• Familiarity with tools such as Data Pump, RMAN, GoldenGate, and cloud migration services
• Proven track record in performance tuning, troubleshooting, and high availability design
• Proven exposure to CI/CD pipelines and automation of database lifecycle management
• Proven solid operational discipline with incident, problem, and change management processes
• Proven solid analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to handle complex production issues
• Proven excellent communication skills with experience working with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
• Proven ability to drive standards, governance, and best practices within a COE model

Preferred Qualifications:

• Oracle certifications (OCP, OCM) and/or cloud certifications (OCI/Azure/AWS/GCP)
• Experience working in regulated industries (Healthcare, Finance, etc.)
• Experience contributing to enterprise architecture, standards, and reusable platform components
• Proven exposure to multi-database ecosystems (PostgreSQL, MSSQL, etc.)
• Proven exposure to Exadata (on-prem or cloud) and Autonomous Database

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.