Lead Software Engineer

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 in making healthcare work better for everyone through people-led, responsible AI while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

Genoa Healthcare, part of Optum Rx, is seeking an experienced Lead Software Engineer to serve as a technical leader within its Forward Deployed Engineering program and delivery pods.

The Forward Deployed Engineering model embeds engineers directly with business and pharmacy teams to identify high-value problems, understand operational workflows, rapidly build solutions, validate business value, and support adoption. FDEs bridge business strategy, AI, and software engineering rather than waiting for fully defined requirements.

This role will lead the technical design and hands-on engineering delivery of secure, scalable software and AI-enabled solutions. The Lead Software Engineer will work within a cross-functional pod alongside product, business, AI/ML, quality, architecture, data, and operations partners to move solutions from discovery and prototype through production readiness, operational validation, and transition to long-term ownership.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership within a cross-functional FDE pod, guiding architecture, engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and production readiness
• Embed directly with pharmacy operations and business stakeholders to understand workflows, uncover business needs, and translate ambiguous problems into buildable technical solutions
• Lead the architecture, design, development, testing, deployment, and support of enterprise applications, APIs, microservices, integrations, and AI-enabled workflows
• Build and ship production-quality code while working alongside software, AI/ML, data, quality, architecture, and DevOps engineers
• Rapidly develop prototypes and thin-slice solutions to validate technical feasibility, operational fit, risk, and measurable business value
• Own the technical path from discovery through adoption, including integration requirements, controls, observability, reliability, and operational readiness
• Establish engineering practices for code quality, automated testing, code reviews, CI/CD, release management, documentation, and production support
• Diagnose and resolve complex architectural, performance, integration, reliability, and production issues
• Measure solution performance and adoption against defined business and operational outcomes
• Capture reusable components, patterns, technical lessons, and accelerators that can benefit other Genoa and Optum engineering teams
• Mentor engineers and help expand FDE, AI-assisted engineering, and modern software-delivery practices across Genoa

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 in Computer Science, Engineering, AI/ML, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of software engineering experience, with proficiency in Python or other modern programming languages
• Experience building AI/ML, generative AI, or agent-based solutions
• Experience with LLMs, RAG, APIs, data integration, and cloud technologies
• Experience taking AI solutions from prototype through production
• Experience applying responsible AI, security, governance, and human-in-the-loop practices
• Experience translating business problems into practical AI-enabled solutions
• Experience providing technical leadership, architecture guidance, or engineering mentorship
• Proven solid problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on knowledge of Azure, Databricks, or other cloud AI/ML platforms
• Knowledge of AI evaluation, monitoring, and observability
• Familiarity with Forward Deployed Engineering (FDE) or similar delivery models
• Proven background building AI agents, intelligent automation, or GenAI solutions
• Proven ability to integrate AI with enterprise data, APIs, and applications
• Proven background in healthcare or other regulated industries
• Proven ability to create reusable AI/ML patterns, platforms, and accelerators

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 $112,700 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.