Optum Tech (UnitedHealth Group) is looking for a Lead AI/ML Scientist to design, implement, and scale AI systems focused on improving health outcomes. You will apply advanced MLOps approaches to solve problems in patient engagement, disease prediction, clinical trials, and claims processing.
What You'll Do
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to determine applicability of AI to business problems
- Process and transform source data for machine learning pipelines using distributed computing
- Build robust training and evaluation pipelines using Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow, and modern ML tooling
- Follow best practices for software development (tests, packaging, GitHub, code review)
- Communicate clearly with cross functional teams and stakeholders through written documents, technical talks, and presentations
- Stay up-to-date with latest AI/ML technologies and research
- Publish findings in top tier AI and ML venues and present internally to Optum AI and business leaders
- Closely collaborate with the Responsible Use of AI (RUAI) team to ensure compliance with company policies
- Develop evaluation protocols, diagnostics, and documentation to support model governance and regulatory requirements
- Establish best practices for end-to-end machine learning, deep learning and GenAI development cycles
- Provide mentorship and leadership of project team members
What We're Looking For
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field
- PhD with 3+ years of experience in AI/ML solutions delivery role or Masters with 8+ years in AI/ML solutions delivery role
- Experience using cloud platforms and services (Azure, AWS, GCP)
- Proficiency in AI/ML engineering development with Python
- Demonstrated experience leading and implementing AI/ML projects from ideation to evaluation, delivery, and monitoring
- Experience with AI Cloud services like Azure ML, Databricks, Azure OpenAI, or similar services in GCP / AWS
- Expertise in Large Language Modeling and Transformer Architectures with experience in prompt engineering, evaluation, and LLM optimization
- Proven exceptional verbal and written communication skills to lead/mentor project teams and communicate technical content to multiple audiences including senior management
- Proven working knowledge of software development tools and practices including DevOps and CI/CD tools (Git, Docker, Kubernetes)
Nice to Have
- Experience working with healthcare data (claims, EHR, clinician notes, etc.) and implementing AI solutions in a healthcare setting
- Experience implementing agent architectures that can plan, call tools/APIs, interact with retrieval systems, and handle multistep clinical workflows
- Proven solid publication record in top-tier AI/ML/NLP venues (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, CHIL, etc.)
Technical Stack
- Languages & Frameworks: Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow
- Cloud Platforms: Azure, AWS, GCP
- AI Services: Azure ML, Databricks, Azure OpenAI
- DevOps Tools: Git, Docker, Kubernetes
Team & Environment
You will be part of Optum AI, UnitedHealth Group’s enterprise AI team.
Benefits & Compensation
- Compensation: $112,700 to $193,200 annually
- Comprehensive benefits package
- Incentive and recognition programs
- Equity stock purchase
- 401k contribution
Work Mode
This is a hybrid position open to candidates in the United States.
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.
