[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
Company H1B Sponsorship