Senior Software Engineer| Union , NJ | Remote

Senior Software Engineer (Backend, AI-Focused)

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities.

Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Optum Insight is partnering 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 as part of Optum's broader mission to help millions of people live healthier lives. Through this work, teams contribute to better health outcomes by improving how care, data, and services connect across the health system.

Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

The Senior Software Engineer (Backend, AI-Focused) will play a key part in designing, developing, and deploying scalable backend and AI-powered solutions to solve complex business challenges. You will work with modern technologies such as Python, Node.js, and Scala, leveraging Azure cloud services and data platforms like Azure Databricks and Unity Catalog to build high-performance, data-intensive applications and workflows. This role offers the opportunity to integrate enterprise AI tools, Generative AI, and intelligent automation into real-world systems while contributing to architecture decisions and system design.

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering, data, and business teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive best practices in code quality, Dev Ops, and system reliability. If you are passionate about building robust backend systems, working with large-scale data and AI technologies, and influencing technical direction, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and drive innovation.

You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute
* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable backend and AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible use of technology
• Develop data-intensive applications and services leveraging Python, Node.js, and Scala within distributed data platforms
• Build and optimize data pipelines and workflows using Azure Databricks, Unity Catalog, and associated Databricks capabilities
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools, LLMs, and developer assistants to accelerate development and enable intelligent automation
• Design and implement robust APIs, services, and data processing systems without UI dependencies
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering, data, and business teams to deliver scalable, high-performance solutions
• Lead architectural discussions, design reviews, and contribute to system-level decision making
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, fostering engineering best practices and collaboration
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize backend systems, data pipelines, and AI-driven services across environments
• Integrate CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and observability into development workflows using modern Dev Ops practices

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

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions 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 relevant experience
• 5+ years of professional Software Engineering experience
• 5+ years of experience demonstrating a strong analytical mindset with problem-solving and debugging skills
• 4+ years of experience designing and implementing scalable backend systems and data-driven applications
• 3+ years of experience with infrastructure-as-code and automation tools such as Terraform
• 3+ years of experience using Git Hub, Git Hub Actions, and code quality tools like Sonar Qube
• 3+ years of experience with backend programming languages such as Python, Node.js, or Scala
• 2+ years of experience with cloud platform technologies such as Microsoft Azure (including Data Factory, Functions, and related services)
• 2+ years of experience working with data platforms such as Azure Databricks, including Unity Catalog and distributed data processing
• 2+ years of experience working in an Agile development team environment
• 2+ years of experience working with relational and non-relational databases (multiple SQL technologies preferred)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience…