Remote Software Engineer Jobs in Columbia, IL (NOW HIRING)

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 inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.
As a Lead Software Engineer on the MCDS (Multi Channel Claim Distribution Platform) team within Optum Technology, you will play a key technical leadership role in architecting, modernizing, and maintaining enterprise-class full-stack solutions across frontend and backend systems. MCDS is Optum's business-critical claim distribution platform that ingests payer remittance files, consolidates and routes payments and EOBs across print and digital channels, and exposes documents via the Client Access System (CAS) portal. In this role, you will lead key engineering initiatives under CCS 2.0, providing technical vision and direction for architecting and migrating legacy platform components to Azure native applications and REST APIs, orchestrating data workflows using Azure Data Factory (ADF), Databricks notebooks, Azure Service Bus, Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI), and Delta Lake, guiding the CAS UICL to Harmony UI migration, and designing and deploying AI-powered solutions and automations to streamline complex workflows. If you excel in full-stack architecture, technical leadership, untangling complex legacy codebases, and mentoring engineering teams to build cloud-native and AI-driven solutions, we want to hear from you.
If you are located in MN or DC, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. This position follows a hybrid schedule with four in-office days per week.
Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership in designing, developing, refactoring, and maintaining enterprise full-stack web applications and microservices using React, Node.js, .NET, and Azure native cloud services
• Lead and architect cloud migration initiatives under CCS 2.0, transitioning legacy platform components to Azure native applications and RESTful APIs
• Orchestrate and manage enterprise data integration workflows, messaging, and pipelines utilizing Azure Data Factory (ADF), Databricks notebooks, and Azure Service Bus
• Design, implement, and optimize backend data persistence layers using Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) and Delta Lake architectures for high-performance claim and document processing
• Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions, platform automations, and intelligent tools to address complex business challenges with an emphasis on responsible AI use
• Leverage enterprise-approved AI tools to streamline engineering workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and drive continuous development improvement
• Evaluate emerging cloud technologies and AI trends to guide solution design, system optimization, and strategic platform innovation
• Analyze complex legacy code and data flows to balance feature delivery with platform refactoring, technical debt reduction, and system stabilization
• Drive front-end modernization initiatives, including CAS portal service enhancements and UI migration to Harmony UI
• Guide, mentor, and collaborate across cross-functional scrum teams (AFF, ADF integration, CAS portal, QE) while maintaining strict security, disaster recovery, and regulatory compliance standards

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:

• 10+ years of professional experience in software solution development
• 6+ years of experience in front-end web development technologies and framework architectures
• 6+ years of full-stack engineering experience working across React, Node.js, and .NET
• 4+ years of experience in Single Page Application (SPA) architecture, front-end build environments, and build automation tools
• 3+ years of experience configuring and managing Apache Tomcat web servers
• 3+ years of experience using Git for source code management and collaborative engineering
• 3+ years of hands-on experience building, migrating, and deploying cloud-native applications on Microsoft Azure
• 3+ years of experience orchestrating data integration workflows and messaging using Azure Data Factory (ADF), Databricks notebooks, or Azure Service Bus
• 3+ years of experience working with Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) and/or Delta Lake data architectures
• 2+ years of experience designing, developing, or deploying AI-powered solutions, automated tools, or smart workflows within application architectures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• Technical leadership experience mentoring software engineering teams and setting technical direction across cross-functional agile teams
• Experience in healthcare payment processing, remittance files, electronic document composition, and multi-channel delivery platforms
• Experience modernizing legacy enterprise systems into Microsoft Azure cloud-native microservices and RESTful API architectures
• Experience building complex end-to-end cloud data pipelines combining Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Azure Service Bus messaging, and Delta Lake in enterprise environments
• Practical experience leveraging AI-assisted coding tools, prompt engineering, or machine learning capabilities to enhance software engineering workflows
• Experience with Quadient document processing or enterprise output management systems
• Solid proficiency in automated unit and end-to-end testing frameworks across full-stack systems

*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.
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.