Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Lead the design, development, and implementation of scalable, secure, and high-performance data platforms, pipelines, and data products supporting enterprise analytics, reporting, and AI/ML initiatives

• Define data architecture standards, engineering best practices, and governance frameworks to ensure data quality, reliability, lineage, and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, product teams, data scientists, architects, and technology leaders to translate complex business requirements into robust technical solutions
• Drive cloud data modernization initiatives leveraging platforms such as Azure, Databricks, Snowflake, and distributed processing technologies
• Establish CI/CD, DataOps, monitoring, observability, and automation practices to improve operational efficiency and platform reliability
• Provide technical leadership for enterprise-wide data integration, metadata management, semantic layer, and data product initiatives
• Mentor and guide engineering teams, conduct design reviews, and promote innovation and continuous improvement
• Evaluate emerging technologies and develop strategic roadmaps that align data engineering capabilities with organizational objectives
• Reviews the work of others
• Develops innovative approaches
• Sought out as expert
• Serves as a leader/ mentor
• Comply with all applicable Company policies, procedures, and business directives, changes including those relating to work location, team assignments, work schedules, and flexible work arrangements.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, data warehousing, or large-scale information management environments
• Experience building enterprise-scale analytics, reporting, AI/ML, and data product solutions supporting business-critical operations
• Demonstrated expertise in cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, with solid hands-on experience in Databricks, Spark, SQL, Python, and modern ELT/ETL frameworks
• Solid understanding of dimensional modeling, data lakes, lakehouses, semantic layers, metadata management, lineage, master data management, and data governance principles
• Solid knowledge of DevOps, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, security, and performance optimization practices
• Proven ability to lead complex technical initiatives, influence architecture decisions, and drive cross-functional collaboration
• Proven excellent communication, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and leadership skills with experience mentoring and developing high-performing engineering teams

About the Company/Opportunity:

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.

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Benefits

• Our mission of helping people live healthier lives extends to our team members. Learn more about our range of benefits designed to help you live well.

• Life

• Resources and support to focus on what matters most to you, in every facet of your life.

• Emotional

• Education, tools and resources to help you reduce and manage stress, build resilience and more.

• Physical

• Health plans and other coverage to support wellness for you and your loved ones.

• Financial

• Benefits for today and to help you plan for the future, including your retirement.

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• Since joining Optum, my professional growth has been significant. The dynamic environment has enhanced my problem-solving abilities, and the company’s commitment to innovation and continuous learning motivates me to stay. Optum provides continuous training, mentorship, and a clear path for advancement, all while supporting a healthy work-life balance.

• Anurag J.

• Senior Software Engineering Manager

• We’re honored to be recognized for our exceptional work culture

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• See how we’re structured to help build a modern, high-performing health system.

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