Principal Architect - Remote

Requisition Number: 2386731
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.
As part of the Optum Health Financial Tech team, the Architect will define and own the end-to-end architecture for AI-enabled and Generative AI solutions aligned with business outcomes, scalability, security, and enterprise compliance. In this role, you will design reference architectures for LLM-based systems (including prompt orchestration, Retrieval-Augmented Generation [RAG], and agent frameworks), evaluate foundation models and AI platforms, and integrate advanced AI capabilities into existing microservices and event-driven data platforms. You will serve as the technical authority across cross-functional engineering teams to drive AI innovation, enforce Responsible AI principles, and deliver scalable, high-performance solution designs.
You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Define and own end-to-end architecture for AI-enabled and Generative AI solutions aligned with business outcomes, scalability, security, and enterprise compliance
• Design reference architectures for LLM-based systems, including prompt orchestration, RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), agent frameworks, and model integration patterns
• Evaluate and recommend AI platforms, foundation models, and tooling (e.g., Azure OpenAI, vector databases, model gateways) based on use-case fit and enterprise standards
• Translate business and product requirements into scalable AI solution designs covering data ingestion, embeddings, model inference, orchestration, and enterprise integration
• Architect AI-driven workflows that integrate seamlessly with existing microservices, data platforms, APIs, and event-driven systems (e.g., Kafka, Databricks)
• Embed Responsible AI principles-including privacy, fairness, explainability, model risk management, prompt guardrails, and auditability-into solution designs
• Provide hands-on architectural guidance, technical oversight, and performance tuning for complex AI implementations across onshore and offshore teams
• Promote AI-assisted development practices using enterprise tools to enhance developer productivity, code quality, and test coverage

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:

• 8+ years of experience translating complex business requirements into scalable, secure, and high-performance software architectures
• 6+ years of experience in software engineering with at least 3+ years in a Technical Architect or Solution Architect role
• 6+ years of experience working with Java, Spring Boot, Microservices, Kafka, APIs, Azure Cloud, Databricks, and relational/non-relational databases (e.g., SQLMI)
• 4+ years of experience with microservices, APIs, event-driven systems, and containerized deployments
• 4+ years of experience leading design reviews, defining technical standards, and providing oversight across cross-functional teams
• 2+ years of experience with Azure cloud services, including integrating Azure OpenAI into enterprise solutions
• 1+ years of experience designing and implementing LLM-based solutions, including RAG, prompt orchestration, and agent-driven architectures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field
• Hands-on experience with vector databases, model gateways, and fine-tuning foundation models
• Experience in healthcare or financial technology domains
• Experience leveraging AI-assisted developer productivity tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot) and establishing standards for AI-generated code review and security scanning

*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 $112,700 - $193,200 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 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.