[Remote] Lead AI / ML Engineer

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Optum is committed to helping people live healthier lives and improving the health system. The Lead AI / ML Engineer will design and implement machine learning models, integrate AI into enterprise applications, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance AI-driven intelligence across various use cases.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing ML models
• Creating custom embeddings
• Building RAG pipelines
• Implementing vector databases
• Developing agentic workflows with LangChain
• Integrating AI into enterprise applications for Claims Payment Integrity (PI)
• The role partners closely with Data Scientists, Product Teams, and Platform Teams to deploy AI-driven intelligence across PI use cases
• Contribute to experimentation with novel ML and Generative AI architectures
• Create and maintain embedding models (domain-specific embeddings, document/text embeddings)
• Support Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions, including semantic search, vector databases, and LLM integration
• Help design and implement AI‑powered enterprise applications
• Analyze large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and actionable insights
• Partner with AI/ML Engineers and Leads to enhance existing models and improve model accuracy and performance
• Optimize AI pipelines for scalability, performance, reliability, and cost efficiency
• Integrate AI/ML solutions into enterprise systems by partnering closely with data engineering, product, and platform teams
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, communicating complex technical concepts clearly
• Contribute to skill development for engineers and interns in AI/LLM techniques
• Comply with company policies, procedures, and directives

Skills

• Bachelor's/Master's in CS, Engineering, Mathematics/Statistics, or related
• 5+ years of experience as a Data Scientist
• 5+ years of relevant experience, including strong ML end to end model development (data prep → feature creation → training → evaluation)
• 5+ years of experience with Python, Scala, SQL
• 3+ years of Databricks, Spark
• 2+ years of experience with LLM & GenAI Skills
• Creating custom embedding models
• Building RAG pipelines
• Vector DBs & semantic search
• Using LangChain for agentic workflows (tools, agents, memory)
• Experience with OpenAI/Azure OpenAI APIs
• Experience with Azure cloud for compute, security, and resource management
• CI/CD familiarity using Git, GitHub Actions/Jenkins, Terraform
• Excellent communication and partnership skills
• Experience with Actuarial, Risk and Forecasting Models
• Experience with healthcare claims data
• Experience with Azure, Databricks, Snowflake, LLMs and/or similar tools
• Demonstrated problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills with ability to be flexible and work with ambiguity

Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package
• Incentive and recognition programs
• Equity stock purchase
• 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements)

Company Overview

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