Senior Data Engineer - Remote

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.
Optum Insight partners with payers, providers, governments and life sciences companies to simplify and enhance clinical, administrative and financial processes through software-enabled services and analytics, while advancing value-based care. Our differentiated products, technology insights, clinical expertise and analytics support the entire health system - ultimately delivering better experiences for consumers.
Optum Insight Technology and Engineering is a critical function in Optum Insight driving the innovation and value we provide our customers and partners. This team is focused on products, solutions, platform / enabling capability development, product development lifecycle, engineering excellence and connectivity to Optum Technology.
About the Role:
We're hiring a Senior Data Engineer to build data products on Azure and Databricks. We are looking for someone who can take ownership, drive initiatives with minimal supervision, and embrace responsibility. We value individuals with an open mindset for learning and adapting to new technologies, ensuring our solutions stay ahead in a rapidly evolving data and AI landscape. You'll design enterprise data models, transformations and serving layers that power analytics and AI agents while working within restricted-data environments and modern governance standards.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Design enterprise data models and ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory and Databricks Workflows
• Develop high performance PySpark jobs and Databricks SQL queries on Delta Lake
• Enable AI/ML: build, deploy, and monitor AI agents and ML models (MLflow/Model Serving)
• Leverage Databricks GenAI for no code/low code insights and use GitHub Copilot to accelerate delivery
• Engineer solutions for clients with restricted data (PII/PHI)-RLS/CLS, Unity Catalog, access controls
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with emphasis on responsible use of AI
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and drive continuous improvement
• Evaluate emerging trends to inform solution design and strategic innovation

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:

• 6+ years of SQL and Data Modeling experience
• 3+ years of experience with Databricks/Azure, Python, PySpark
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with Azure Data Factory, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog
• 1+ years or experience deploying ML models and AI agents to production, with MLOps practices

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with onshore and offshore teams cross-functionally
• Experience working with PHI/PII and restricted client data in compliance with HIPAA or similar regulations
• Proven solid data modeling & performance tuning; security-first mindset in regulated environments
• Proven communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills

*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 $xx,xxx to $xx,xxx 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 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.