Senior Principal Data Scientist - Remote

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 to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

This role is part of UnitedHealth Group’s Responsible AI (RAI) Program, sitting within the program’s data science center of excellence. This position combines data science with healthcare innovation, AI ethics, and regulatory compliance, providing a unique opportunity to help shape the future of AI applications in healthcare. In this role, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine AI methodologies, develop and validate robust testing protocols to identify potential model failures. A successful candidate will interact with diverse teams using a wide variety of AI methods and validate test plans and results. The role also requires the ability to write clear documentation on use-case specific testing requirements. You will also engage with stakeholders to advocate for and drive the adoption of responsible AI practices, providing a unique opportunity to shape the future of ethical AI applications in healthcare.

You’ll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Clearly communicate with diverse teams including legal, compliance, and AI development over a wide variety of AI methods including Generative AI and traditional ML
• Document findings, create reports, and present results to stakeholders
• Design and develop job aids and guidance documentation for best practices of responsible AI
• Develop Python scripts to automate testing processes and analyze results
• Explore AI tools to enhance and improve Responsible AI and AI Review Board processes
• Help identify vulnerabilities related to PII/PHI exposure in AI interactions
• Maintain test data sets and contribute to improving testing methodologies
• Stay abreast of the latest developments in AI/ML research and incorporate relevant findings into work
• Provide mentorship and guidance to colleagues, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement
• Assist in designing and executing Red Team testing scenarios for conversational AI systems

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:

• 7+ years of experience as a practitioner in an artificial intelligence field
• 5+ years of experience in the full AI lifecycle including development, deployment, and maintenance
• 5+ years of extensive development experience with traditional AI modeling
• 5+ years of experience with Generative AI-based models and modern agentic techniques and technologies
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and communicating analytical findings to stakeholders to support decision-making and problem resolution
• Demonstrated understanding of AI ethics and fairness considerations

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in software engineering
• Experience with AI governance programs
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams including product managers and business stakeholders
• Experience with conversational AI, including speech-to-text
• Knowledge of large language models, prompt engineering, and adversarial testing
• Basic understanding of information security principles
• Familiarity with healthcare systems including claims payment and call centers
• Awareness of regulatory frameworks relevant to AI in healthcare
• Ability to translate business needs into technical solutions

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

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 $134,600 - $230,800 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Application Deadline: This will be posted for a minimum of 2 business days or until a sufficient candidate pool has been collected. Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.

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.

UnitedHealth Group is 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 is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.