Job Details

Overview

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 the Lead AI Security Engineer, you will spearhead the design and implementation of advanced security guardrails to protect AI/ML systems across UHG. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team of experts focused on proactively identifying, simulating, and mitigating threats to AI systems.

You will lead initiatives to proactively harden AI systems against emerging attack vectors. This includes developing threat detection simulations, blue/red teaming frameworks, and secure model deployment protocols tailored for GenAI architectures. This role demands deep technical fluency in AI security, secure software engineering, and a proactive mindset to anticipate and neutralize threats before they materialize.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities

• Threat Simulation: Build and execute red teaming exercises targeting AI systems
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with AI/ML engineering, enterprise cybersecurity, product, legal, and compliance teams to embed red teaming insights into model development and deployment lifecycles
• Governance & Compliance: Ensure alignment with internal policies for Responsible use of AI
• Innovation & Research: Stay ahead of the curve on adversarial ML, model exploitation techniques, and AI safety research; foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation
• Incident Response: Lead investigations into AI-related security incidents and develop mitigation strategies and post-mortem analyses

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

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, or a related field
• 8+ years of experience in Machine Learning and AI
• 3+ years of experience with generative AI systems (e.g., LLMs, agents) and their unique threat surfaces

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience in cybersecurity, red teaming, or adversarial and non adversarial testing
• Experience working in regulated industries (e.g., finance, healthcare, defense) with AI governance requirements
• Knowledge of secure model deployment practices in cloud and edge environments
• Familiarity with AI safety, fairness, and interpretability frameworks
• Proven solid communication skills with the ability to influence executive stakeholders and translate technical findings into business impact
• Contributions to open-source tools, academic research, or AI security communities

Policies

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 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). The salary for this role will range from $110,200 to $188,800 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 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.