AI​/ML Engineer Remote Nationwide or Hybrid in MN​/DC

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.

Ready to build the next breakthrough? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As an AI/ML Engineer within the Consumer Engineering division of the Chief Digital Office (CDO), you will play a critical role in shaping the future of our digital health platforms. This role is designed for a high-performing engineer with strong software fundamentals and a deep passion for building production-ready, scalable AI services. You will focus on the practical application of Generative AI techniques, designing end-to-end solutions that integrate seamlessly into our enterprise ecosystem.

By leveraging modern data platforms and cloud-native architectures, you will help bridge the gap between complex machine learning research and reliable, consumer-facing applications that improve the lives of those we serve.

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, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on the responsible use of AI

* Build, deploy, and operate machine-learning models in production environments, ensuring high availability and performance

* Use enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline workflows, automate tasks, and drive continuous improvement across the development lifecycle

* Develop backend services and APIs using Java (Spring Boot) to support scalable AI/ML-powered applications and integrations

* Design and implement data storage solutions, including relational databases (SQL) and No

SQL databases (Mongo

DB, Dynamo

DB), ensuring efficient data access for AI use cases

* Collaborate with mobile and frontend teams to define API contracts and integration patterns that enable seamless delivery of AI-powered features into iOS and Android applications

* Implement event-driven and streaming patterns (e.g., Kafka) to support real-time data processing and AI model feedback loops

* Apply software engineering best practices, including unit testing, code quality, observability, and performance tuning across distributed systems

* Evaluate emerging trends in AI and machine learning to inform solution design and drive strategic innovation within the division

* Build and maintain scalable AI services, APIs, and pipelines, translating advanced models into reliable, enterprise-ready solutions

* Implement MLOps practices, including CI/CD, monitoring, versioning, and rollback, to maintain model integrity and lifecycle

* Ensure solutions meet security, privacy, and regulatory standards, upholding responsible-AI principles in a healthcare context

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 or equivalent experience

* 3+ years of experience in AI/ML or software engineering

* 3+ years of hands-on experience in backend development using Java (Spring Boot) and RESTful API design

* 3+ years of experience with databases, including SQL-based systems (Postgre

SQL, MySQL, SQL Server) and exposure to No

SQL systems (Mongo

DB, Dynamo

DB)

* 2+ years of experience integrating applications via APIs, including supporting mobile or web client consumption

* 2+ years of proficiency in Python

* 2+ years of hands-on experience with ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, Tensor Flow, or scikit-learn)

* 1+ years of experience product ionizing models and working in cloud or distributed environments

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience with Generative AI…