Director AI/ML Engineering

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.Primary Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive AI/ML strategy aligned with the company's vision and business objectivesIdentify and prioritize opportunities where AI/ML can drive business growth and competitive advantageTeam Leadership and Development:Lead, mentor, and manage a team of AI/ML engineers, data scientists, and technical professionalsFoster a collaborative and innovative team culture that encourages continuous learning and development Technical Oversight: Provide expert guidance on the design, development, and implementation of AI/ML models, including discriminative and generative modelsOversee the deployment of AI/ML solutions using technologies such as LangChain, MongoDB, Docker/Containers, and vector databases (Milvus, Chroma, FAISS etc) Project Management: Oversee the planning and execution of AI/ML projects, ensuring they meet quality standards, timelines, and budget constraintsImplement best practices in project management, including agile methodologies and continuous integration/deployment Business Alignment: Collaborate with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions and product roadmapsEnsure AI/ML initiatives are effectively integrated into business processes and products Cloud Strategy and Management: Lead the selection and implementation of cloud platforms for AI/ML initiatives, with a preference for Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud PlatformOptimize cloud infrastructure for performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness Innovation and Technology Exploration: Stay abreast of the latest developments in AI/ML technologies and methodologiesEncourage and lead the exploration of new technologies and tools to enhance the company's AI/ML capabilities Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure all AI/ML solutions comply with relevant regulations, ethical standards, and data privacy lawsIdentify and mitigate technical and operational risks associated with AI/ML projects Stakeholder Communication: Communicate complex technical concepts and project statuses effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including executive leadershipPrepare and deliver presentations, reports, and documentation as needed Budgeting and Resource Allocation: Develop and manage budgets for the AI/ML departmentAllocate resources efficiently to maximize the impact of AI/ML initiatives Performance Measurement: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for AI/ML projects and monitor progress against goalsUse data-driven insights to inform decision-making and strategy adjustments Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regards to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do soRequired Qualifications: Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field. A solid academic foundation in AI/ML is preferred10+ years of experience in the IT industry, with 5+ years in leadership roles overseeing AI/ML projectsExtensive experience with cloud platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud PlatformExperience managing budgets, resources, and timelines effectivelyProven exceptional leadership abilities with experience building and leading high-performing technical teamsDeep understanding of AI/ML concepts, algorithms, and applications, including both discriminative and generative modelsProficiency with AI/ML development tools and frameworks such as LangChain, MongoDB, Docker/Containers, and vector databases (Milvus, Chroma, FAISS)Familiarity with front-end technologies such as ReactJSProven solid programming skills in Python and experience with frameworks like Flask API and FastAPIProven track record of successfully leading AI/ML teams and delivering complex projectsProven solid strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skillsProven excellent verbal and written communication skillsProven ability to articulate technical concepts to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders and executive leadershipProven solid understanding of how AI/ML technologies can be applied to achieve business objectivesProven ability to bridge the gap between technical teams and business unitsProven passion for innovation with a proven ability to stay ahead of industry trendsProven openness to exploring new technologies and quick learning capabilitiesProven high level of initiative, self-motivation, and integrityProven excellent organizational skills and attention to detailProven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone–of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income–deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes — an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.