Data Engineer Remote Contract Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Optum Insight is improving the flow of health data and information to create a more connected system. We remove friction and drive alignment between care providers and payers, and ultimately consumers. Our deep expertise in the industry and innovative technology empower us to help organizations reduce costs while improving risk management, quality and revenue growth. Ready to help us deliver results that improve lives? Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
Optum Government Solutions (OGS) partners with federal and state agencies to modernize health and human services programs through data, analytics, and technology. OGS supports large scale Medicaid Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), analytics, and federal reporting programs that enable program integrity, regulatory compliance, and data driven decision making for state agencies.
Optum is seeking a hands on Senior Data Engineer (ETL / Python Developer) to support the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) and Analytics Program. This role plays a critical part in designing, developing, and maintaining scalable data ingestion and transformation pipelines that support Medicaid analytics, federal reporting, and enterprise decision support.
The ideal candidate brings solid ETL and Python engineering expertise, Teradata experience as well as experience working with large healthcare datasets, and the ability to operate effectively in a regulated, audit sensitive environment. This is a delivery focused role requiring close collaboration with architects, analysts, QA, PMs, SMEs, developers, and reporting BI teams across both legacy and cloud based platforms.
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:

• Design, develop, and maintain enterprise ETL pipelines using Azure Data Factory (ADF), Informatica PowerCenter, and Python based frameworks
• Build and optimize scalable data processing solutions using Python, Spark, and Databricks
• Support Medicaid analytics and federal reporting initiatives (e.g., T MSIS, PERM, MARS, Quality of Care)
• Develop robust data validation, reconciliation, and audit traceable data pipelines
• Write and optimize SQL and stored procedures across relational platforms such as Snowflake, Oracle, and SQL Server
• Participate in cloud migration and modernization initiatives within Azure based architectures
• Collaborate with analysts, QA, and reporting teams to ensure data quality, accuracy, and timeliness
• Follow data engineering best practices for performance, reliability, reusability, and security
• Support production operations, incident resolution, and root cause analysis
• Participate in code reviews, source control, and CI/CD processes using Azure DevOps and GitHub

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:

• 5+ years of data engineering experience with a focus on enterprise data warehousing
• 5+ years of hands on ETL development using Informatica PowerCenter, Azure Data Factory, or similar tools
• 5+ years of Python development for data engineering and automation
• 5+ years of Teradata experience
• 3+ years of experience with Spark based processing frameworks (Databricks or equivalent)
• Solid SQL expertise and experience with relational databases (such as Snowflake, Oracle, SQL Server)
• Experience with source control and DevOps practices (Azure DevOps, GitHub, CI/CD)
• Proven solid analytical, problem solving, and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to travel periodically based on project or customer needs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Azure certifications related to data engineering or analytics
• Experience supporting State Medicaid EDW or MMIS analytics environments
• Healthcare or public sector analytics experience (Medicaid / Medicare preferred)
• Data modeling experience in enterprise data warehouse environments
• Scripting experience (PowerShell, Bash) for automation and orchestration
• Experience designing or consuming APIs (REST) within data platforms
• Familiarity with data quality frameworks, reconciliation, and audit support

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