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

As the Director of AI/ML Engineering within OptumRx Technology, you will lead the vision, architecture, design, and deployment of enterprise AI/ML engineering initiatives that deliver measurable business value and accelerate digital transformation. In this role, you will direct the engineering, automation, and operationalization of scalable AI/ML platforms, products, and services-including Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), agentic AI systems, retrieval augmented generation (RAG), and intelligent workflow orchestration. You will build, mentor, and empower high-performing engineering teams to design and deliver secure, enterprise-grade AI solutions that optimize pharmacy benefits delivery, enhance operational efficiency, and drive continuous technology innovation.

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

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with emphasis on responsible use of AI
• Use enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and drive continuous improvement
• Evaluate emerging trends to inform solution design and strategic innovation
• Lead the vision, strategy, architecture, and execution of enterprise AI/ML engineering initiatives that deliver measurable business value and accelerate digital transformation
• Direct the design, development, deployment, and operation of scalable AI/ML platforms, products, and services, including Generative AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent automation solutions
• Establish engineering standards, reference architectures, and best practices for AI/ML development, MLOps, model deployment, observability, reliability, and lifecycle management
• Partner with business, product, analytics, and technology leaders to identify opportunities where AI can improve customer experiences, operational efficiency, decision-making, and revenue growth
• Lead the adoption of emerging AI technologies, including large language models (LLMs), agentic AI systems, retrieval augmented generation (RAG), semantic search, and intelligent workflow orchestration
• Drive cloud-native AI platform development and integration with enterprise data, applications, and technology ecosystems while ensuring scalability, security, and performance
• Ensure compliance with enterprise AI governance, responsible AI principles, security standards, privacy requirements, and applicable regulatory obligations

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: 

• 15+ years of experience in software engineering, with a significant focus on AI/ML and data-driven systems
• 5+ years of experience designing and deploying cloud-native solutions (Azure or AWS), including scalable AI/ML workloads
• 4+ years of experience leading large-scale AI/ML engineering organizations (20-50+ team members) with globally distributed teams
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with implementing AI/ML solutions using Databricks technologies and frameworks
• Experience implementing AI-enabled software development lifecycle practices (AIDLC) and related tools/frameworks using Databricks
• Demonstrated ability to connect AI investments to measurable business outcomes (e.g., ROI, operational efficiency, revenue growth, risk reduction)
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with global teams, including overlap with US-based stakeholders as needed
  

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Undergraduate degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related technical field
• Experience with enterprise MLOps platforms, automated deployment pipelines, and continuous monitoring of production AI models
• Knowledge of pharmacy benefits management (PBM), healthcare data standards, and regulatory/privacy requirements
• Track record of evaluating emerging AI technologies and managing vendor relationships
• Proven ability to foster innovation, technical excellence, and AI transformation across multi-disciplinary teams

*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.