Principal Software Engineer - Basking Ridge, NJ or Fully Remote

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 diversity and inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health equity on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As a Principal Engineer leading the modernization of our healthcare payment and consumer-directed spend products, you will be at the helm of innovation, driving transformative change in the healthcare industry. Your visionary leadership will guide the re-architecting and migration of legacy systems to cutting-edge cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, ensuring our solutions are scalable, high-performing, and reliable. You will architect state-of-the-art payment systems and consumer-focused products, integrating advanced technologies to elevate user experiences and streamline operations. Mentoring and inspiring a talented team of engineers, you will foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning. Your commitment to quality will be evident as you implement rigorous testing frameworks and enforce best practices in coding, architecture, and security. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, designers, and stakeholders, you will translate complex business requirements into groundbreaking technical solutions. With a keen focus on security and compliance, you will protect sensitive data and ensure our systems meet industry regulations. Step into this crucial role and lead the charge in revolutionizing healthcare payment systems, delivering innovative solutions that will shape the future of the industry!

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

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning and Architecture:
  
  
  
  • Lead the strategic planning and architectural design of scalable, high-performance Java-based applications
  • Define and drive the technical vision and roadmap for cloud-native solutions on platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
  • Oversee the development and integration of cohesive and efficient system architecture
  
  
  
  
• Modernization Leadership:
  
  
  
  • Spearhead the modernization of legacy systems, re-architecting and migrating to modern cloud-based platforms
  • Implement cutting-edge technologies to enhance performance, scalability, and maintainability
  • Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to execute modernization strategies
  
  
  
  
• Technical Leadership and Mentorship:
  
  
  
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering innovation and continuous learning
  • Conduct code reviews and ensure adherence to best practices in coding, architecture, and security
  • Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies, implementing relevant advancements
  
  
  
  
• Full-Stack Development:
  
  
  
  • Lead the development of responsive front-end interfaces using modern JavaScript frameworks
  • Architect and implement robust back-end services using Java and related technologies
  • Ensure seamless integration between front-end and back-end systems through RESTful APIs
  
  
  
  
• Cloud Infrastructure Management:
  
  
  
  • Design, deploy, and manage complex cloud infrastructure using IaC tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, or Ansible
  • Oversee the implementation of CI/CD pipelines for automated build, test, and deployment
  • Monitor, optimize, and secure cloud resources, balancing cost, performance, and security
  
  
  
  
• Quality Assurance and Testing:
  
  
  
  • Develop and enforce rigorous testing practices to ensure software quality and reliability
  • Collaborate with QA teams to resolve defects and address performance issues
  • Implement automated testing frameworks to streamline the testing process
  
  
  
  
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication:
  
  
  
  • Work with product managers, designers, and stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions
  • Lead agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives
  • Communicate effectively to ensure alignment and transparency throughout the project lifecycle
  
  
  
  
• Security and Compliance:
  
  
  
  • Implement and enforce stringent security best practices to protect data and ensure regulatory compliance
  • Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities
  • Lead the diagnosis and resolution of complex technical issues, providing expert-level support for production systems
  
  
  
  

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 or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of professional experience in full-stack software development, including significant experience with both front-end and back-end technologies, with a focus on Java and related frameworks such as Spring Boot and Hibernate
• Expertise in database systems, including 5+ years of experience with both SQL and NoSQL databases and data modeling
• 4+ years of experience in designing, deploying, and managing complex applications on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
• 4+ years of hands-on experience with cloud infrastructure services including EC2, S3, Lambda, Kubernetes, and Docker
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience in leading and mentoring engineering teams at a senior level, including the ability to guide junior developers and foster a collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degrees or relevant certifications
• Certifications in relevant technologies (eg, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Professional Cloud Developer)
• Experience in modernizing legacy systems and migrating them to cloud-based platforms
• Experience with microservices architecture and serverless computing
• Solid knowledge of RESTful API design and development
• Solid knowledge of version control systems (eg, Git) and branching strategies
• In-depth knowledge of security best practices and experience implementing security measures in software development
• Familiarity with modern DevOps practices and tools
• Solid focus on writing clean, maintainable, and testable code, with a commitment to rigorous testing practices
• Solid understanding of software development methodologies, including Agile/Scrum
• Understanding of compliance requirements (eg, GDPR, HIPAA) and the ability to ensure systems meet regulatory standards
• Proven to be self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Proven solid attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality software
• Proven adaptability and a willingness to learn new technologies and take on new challenges
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects on time and within budget
• Proven excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Proven solid communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical concepts to a variety of stakeholders, including senior leadership
• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment and lead agile ceremonies
• Proven ability to stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends, and apply them to improve the platform

*All employees working remotely will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group's Telecommuter Policy

The salary range for this role is $124,500 to $239,400 annually based on full-time employment. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. UnitedHealth Group complies with all minimum wage laws as applicable. In addition to your salary, UnitedHealth Group offers 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 UnitedHealth Group, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives.

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.