Contract Software Engineer Optum Jobs in Rutherford, NJ

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. 

Optum Insight is partnering with payers, providers, governments, and life sciences companies to simplify and enhance clinical, administrative, and financial processes through software-enabled services and analytics, while advancing value-based care as part of Optum's broader mission to help millions of people live healthier lives. Through this work, teams contribute to better health outcomes by improving how care, data, and services connect across the health system. Join us to startCaring. Connecting. Growing together. 

Senior Software Engineer (Backend, AI-Focused) will play a key part in designing, developing, and deploying scalable backend and AI-powered solutions to solve complex business challenges. You will work with modern technologies such as Python, Node.js, and Scala, leveraging Azure cloud services and data platforms like Azure Databricks and Unity Catalog to build high-performance, data-intensive applications and workflows. This role offers the opportunity to integrate enterprise AI tools, Generative AI, and intelligent automation into real-world systems while contributing to architecture decisions and system design. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering, data, and business teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive best practices in code quality, DevOps, and system reliability. If you are passionate about building robust backend systems, working with large-scale data and AI technologies, and influencing technical direction, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact and drive innovation.

You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and deploy scalable backend and AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible use of technology
• Develop data-intensive applications and services leveraging Python, Node.js, and Scala within distributed data platforms
• Build and optimize data pipelines and workflows using Azure Databricks, Unity Catalog, and associated Databricks capabilities
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools, LLMs, and developer assistants to accelerate development and enable intelligent automation
• Design and implement robust APIs, services, and data processing systems without UI dependencies
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering, data, and business teams to deliver scalable, high-performance solutions
• Lead architectural discussions, design reviews, and contribute to system-level decision making
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers, fostering engineering best practices and collaboration
• Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize backend systems, data pipelines, and AI-driven services across environments
• Integrate CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and observability into development workflows using modern DevOps practices

Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with emphasis on responsible use of AI 

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant experience
• 5 years of professional Software Engineering experience
• 5 years of experience demonstrating a strong analytical mindset with problem-solving and debugging skills
• 4 years of experience designing and implementing scalable backend systems and data-driven applications
• 3 years of experience with infrastructure-as-code and automation tools such as Terraform
• 3 years of experience using GitHub, GitHub Actions, and code quality tools like SonarQube
• 3 years of experience with backend programming languages such as Python, Node.js, or Scala
• 2 years of experience with cloud platform technologies such as Microsoft Azure (including Data Factory, Functions, and related services)
• 2 years of experience working with data platforms such as Azure Databricks, including Unity Catalog and distributed data processing
• 2 years of experience working in an Agile development team environment
• 2 years of experience working with relational and non-relational databases (multiple SQL technologies preferred)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing or integrating AI-powered capabilities, LLMs, or agentic models into production systems
• Hands-on experience with Azure AI services, Databricks ML features, or model lifecycle management
• Strong experience working with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, and automated deployment workflows
• Experience with containerization technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes and microservices architecture
• Exposure to large-scale data engineering, data governance, and cataloging solutions
• Proven ability to adapt to evolving technologies and rapidly learn new tools and frameworks
• Strong collaboration skills with experience working in cross-functional and data-centric teams

*All Telecommuters 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 $91,700 - $163,700 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

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.

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