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Optum Data Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Risa Labs

AI Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

Funding RISA Labs is a Series A startup backed by Optum Ventures, Cencora Ventures, Oncology ... We're looking for bright, curious minds in engineering with strong foundations in Python, data ...

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Optum Data Science information

See California salary details

$23.5K

$109.7K

$201.2K

How much do optum data science jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for optum data science in California is $109,654.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,409.00 and $153,739.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Optum Data Science?

An Optum Data Science job involves using data analytics, machine learning, and statistical methods to derive insights that improve healthcare outcomes and operational efficiency. Data scientists at Optum work with large datasets to identify trends, develop predictive models, and support decision-making for healthcare providers, payers, and patients. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation in areas such as patient care optimization, fraud detection, and cost reduction. Strong programming skills, domain knowledge in healthcare, and expertise in data modeling are typically required for this role.

What types of projects do data scientists at Optum typically work on?

Data scientists at Optum commonly work on projects that involve analyzing large healthcare datasets to identify trends, improve patient outcomes, and optimize operational efficiency. This may include developing predictive models for disease risk, healthcare cost forecasting, or creating data-driven solutions to enhance clinical workflows. Team members frequently collaborate with clinicians, business analysts, and IT specialists, ensuring their work has a real-world impact on healthcare delivery. These projects often require innovative problem-solving and the ability to communicate insights to cross-functional teams, making the work both challenging and rewarding.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Optum Data Science position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optum Data Science professional, a strong background in statistics, machine learning, data analysis, and a degree in a quantitative field such as computer science or mathematics are essential. Experience with programming languages like Python or R, data visualization tools, and familiarity with big data platforms (e.g., Hadoop or Spark) are commonly required, along with relevant certifications. Analytical thinking, strong communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders are critical soft skills. These skills enable data scientists at Optum to extract meaningful insights from complex healthcare datasets and drive impactful business decisions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optum Data Science jobs in California?

The most popular types of Optum Data Science jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Optum Data Science jobs in California?

For Optum Data Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optum Data Science jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Optum Data Science jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Optum Data Science jobs?

Cities in California with the most Optum Data Science job openings:

Optum Data Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optum Data Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% In-person, 8% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,654 per year, or $52.7 per hour.

Lead AI/ML Engineer - Remote

UnitedHealth Group

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$120K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 25 days ago

UnitedHealth Group rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

191st of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

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.
As a Lead AI/ML Engineer on the AI Platform Team within Optum AI, you will drive the design and development of scalable AI systems to improve patient care. This is a highly hands-on, technical engineering lead role focusing on technical execution, architectural strategy, and technical mentorship of other engineers. Our team delivers complete end-to-end solutions, from healthcare data ingestion and generative agents to AI model deployment, clinical applications, and analytics. Our current initiatives involve both leveraging and building cutting-edge Generative AI and Agentic AI technologies from scratch. We have the data and resources to make an impact on a massive scale, benefiting millions of people globally.
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:
  • Lead and contribute to the design, hands-on implementation, and deployment of end-to-end AI/ML systems that enable the business to derive critical insights from patient data in a scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manner
  • Partner with product managers, data scientists, software engineers, and business stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable AI systems
  • Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with a solid emphasis on the responsible use of AI
  • Leverage enterprise-approved and AI-assisted tools to streamline engineering workflows, automate routine tasks, conduct code reviews, perform testing, and drive continuous improvement
  • Ensure the delivery of high-quality, maintainable, and efficient code and technical specifications, leading by example to deliver product quality the first time
  • Drive architectural decisions and contribute to our long-term technical strategy for AI/ML systems, evaluating emerging trends and research to inform solution design
  • Own the full lifecycle of AI/ML initiatives, from problem definition and data exploration to agent development, deployment, and active monitoring
  • Define project scope, success metrics, and delivery milestones in collaboration with cross-functional teams, executing with solid engineering rigor through CI/CD, environment readiness, and quality gates
  • Stay ahead of the curve on emerging AI/ML technologies, tools, and research, promoting a culture of innovation through rapid iteration, experimentation, and data-driven decision-making
  • Act as a key technical resource and trusted advisor on complex or critical issues, actively reviewing the work of others and mentoring engineers to help them reach their full potential without direct administrative/HR management responsibilities

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:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related quantitative field, or 4+ years of equivalent software engineering experience in lieu of a degree
  • 12+ years of experience in Software Engineering, Data Science, or Analytics, with at least 3+ years dedicated to AI/ML engineering or related fields
  • 4+ years of experience in a team lead or technical leadership role (guiding technical projects, architectures, and mentoring engineers)
  • 4+ years of hands-on Python programming experience
  • 4+ years of hands-on experience in modern cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP)
  • 1+ years of experience leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) or developing generative AI solutions
  • Experience designing and delivering at least two complete AI products from ideation to production/release

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Data Science, AI, or a related field
  • Hands-on experience working with Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
  • Experience with healthcare data standards and interoperability protocols (e.g., FHIR, HL7, HIPAA compliance)
  • Proven knowledge of CI/CD principles with experience designing and operating multiple production-grade pipelines
  • Experience with the challenges of delivering and monitoring LLM-based cloud systems in a production environment
  • Proficiency with GitHub and GitHub Actions, artifact and dependency management, containerization (Docker), and Infrastructure-as-Code (Terraform) to enable reliable, repeatable, and secure deployments
  • Demonstrated passion for innovation, staying current with emerging AI/ML trends, and a solid bias for action
  • Solid communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to diverse, non-technical audiences

*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 $145,500 to $249,500 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.
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