Associate Software Engineer

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.

You will enjoy the flexibility to telecommute* from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain end-to-end features across front-end, back-end, and database layers
• Develop responsive UI components using modern frameworks (e.g., React/Angular), ensuring usability and accessibility basics (HTML/CSS)
• Implement and maintain backend services and REST/GraphQL APIs (e.g., Node.js/Java), including input validation and error handling
• Work with databases (SQL/NoSQL): write queries, design/modify schemas, create migrations, and optimize basic performance
• Integrate with third-party services and internal systems (auth, payments, messaging, etc.) following established patterns
• Write and maintain unit, integration, and basic end-to-end tests; contribute to improving automated test coverage
• Participate in code reviews, address feedback, and follow team standards for clean, maintainable, well-documented code
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues across the stack (UI bugs, API failures, data inconsistencies); perform root-cause analysis
• Support CI/CD pipelines and deployments (branching, build failures, release checklists) with DevOps guidance
• Implement basic security best practices (authentication/authorization, secure API patterns, OWASP awareness, secrets handling)
• Monitor application health using logs/metrics and assist in incident triage and production support as needed
• Maintain technical documentation (feature notes, API specs, setup steps) and actively learn new tools and patterns

Design, develop, and deploy AI-powered solutions to address complex business challenges with emphasis on responsible use of AI

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear directions 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 Degree in Computer Science/Engineering, IT or related field
• 1+ years of software development experience
• 1+ years of experience in at least one backend language/framework (e.g., Node.js/Express, Java/Spring)
• 1+ years of experience with front-end fundamentals: HTML, CSS, JavaScript/TypeScript
• 1+ years of experience with a modern framework like React or Angular
• 6+ months of experience with Git and collaborative workflows (branches, pull requests, code reviews)
• 6+ months of experience in basic testing skills (unit/integration tests) and debugging/troubleshooting ability

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to learn quickly, and clear written/verbal communication
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS) and deploying web applications
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools (GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI) and build pipelines
• Exposure to Docker/containers and environment configuration
• Experience with microservices patterns
• Experience building/consuming REST APIs (and understanding HTTP, JSON, status codes)
• Working knowledge of databases: SQL (preferred) and/or NoSQL; ability to write queries and understand schema design

*All Telecommuters 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 $60,200 to $107,400 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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.

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