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Optum Labs Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Funding RISA Labs is a Series A startup backed by Optum Ventures, Cencora Ventures, Oncology Ventures, General Catalyst, Binny Bansal, z21 Ventures, John Simons and select angels. The Opportunity You ...

Funding RISA Labs is a Series A startup backed by Optum Ventures, Cencora Ventures, Oncology Ventures, General Catalyst, Binny Bansal, z21 Ventures, John Simons and select angels. The Opportunity You ...

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Optum Labs information

What is Optum Labs?

Optum Labs is the research and innovation arm of Optum, part of UnitedHealth Group. It focuses on using data analytics, research, and technology to improve healthcare outcomes and efficiency. Optum Labs collaborates with healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and other partners to drive evidence-based innovation, develop new health solutions, and inform policy. Their work often involves large-scale data analysis to uncover insights that can lead to better patient care and system improvements.

What types of projects do team members typically work on at Optum Labs, and how is cross-functional collaboration facilitated?

At Optum Labs, team members often engage in projects that leverage data analytics, research, and technology to improve healthcare outcomes and operational efficiency. Collaborating across disciplines—such as data science, clinical research, product development, and engineering—is a core part of the work environment. Regular meetings, agile methodologies, and shared digital platforms help facilitate open communication and effective teamwork. This collaborative structure provides opportunities to learn from experts in various fields and contribute to impactful, innovative healthcare solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at Optum Labs, and why are they important?

To thrive at Optum Labs, you generally need a strong background in data analytics, healthcare research, and a relevant degree such as in public health, statistics, or computer science. Familiarity with data analysis tools (like SQL, Python, R), healthcare databases, and potentially certifications in data science or project management are commonly required. Exceptional problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help professionals stand out in cross-functional research teams. These abilities are crucial for driving innovative healthcare solutions, ensuring data-driven decision-making, and delivering impactful research outcomes.
Infographic showing various Optum Labs job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 2% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

AI Engineer

Risa Labs

Palo Alto, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

About RISA Labs

At RISA, we are building the future of mission critical workflows by leveraging the latest in AI. Our purpose is to solve humanity's hardest hurdles, starting with the incredibly high stakes challenges within oncology. We are not just selling software, we are delivering resilient, autonomous infrastructure that powers foundational institutions and ultimately helps accelerate human progress.

Founders

RISA was founded by Kshitij Jaggi and Kumar Shivang, IIT Kanpur alumni with a proven track record from their previous healthcare startup, Urban Health. Their vision is to streamline oncology care through cutting edge technology.

Funding

RISA Labs is a Series A startup backed by Optum Ventures, Cencora Ventures, Oncology Ventures, General Catalyst, Binny Bansal, z21 Ventures, John Simons and select angels.

The Opportunity

You'll be part of the core engineering team building scalable, high-impact systems that power our healthcare AI solutions. We're looking for bright, curious minds in engineering with strong foundations in Python, data structures, algorithms, and system design. This role is ideal for fresh graduates who are eager to solve challenging problems, work on distributed systems and backend technologies, and learn hands-on in a fast-moving startup environment. If you enjoy turning ideas into real, impactful products and thrive in a culture of collaboration and innovation, this is the place to start your journey.

What You'll do

  • Design, Develop, and Deploy scalable software systems with strong emphasis on Python-based applications and backend engineering
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with product managers, researchers, and engineers to translate complex problems into elegant, efficient solutions
  • Contribute to System Design discussions and assist in building reliable,
    high-performance architectures
  • Write clean, testable, and maintainable code following best practices in coding standards, version control, and CI/CD
  • Debug, optimize, and improve system performance, ensuring solutions meet both technical and business requirements
  • Learn and grow continuously through mentorship, technical reviews, and exposure to cutting-edge problems in healthcare and AI systems

What You'll Bring

  • 2 to 5 years of work experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field
  • Strong foundation in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and NLP, with hands-on experience in developing or deploying LLM-based systems
  • Practical exposure to model fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and optimization for performance and scalability
  • Proficiency in Python and common ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)
  • Knowledge of system design fundamentals (distributed systems, APIs, databases, cloud concepts)
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with ability to break down complex problems into structured solutions
  • Experience with projects/internships involving backend systems, scalable applications, or research-oriented software development is a plus
  • Eagerness to learn, collaborate, and innovate in a fast-paced startup environment