Data Engineering Consultant - Python, SQL

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 Data Engineering Consultant, you will be responsible for architecting and implementing robust data solutions that support the Data Science team's analytical and modeling efforts. You will work closely with Data Scientists, Analysts, and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless data access, processing, and integration. Your expertise in Python, SQL, ETL, Big Data technologies, reporting, and cloud platforms will be pivotal in advancing our data-driven healthcare initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Data Pipeline Development and Management:
  • Design, develop, and optimize ETL pipelines to extract, transform, and load healthcare data from various sources
  • Build scalable data workflows to process large volumes of structured and unstructured data using Python and pandas
• Database and Data Warehouse Management:
  • Develop and maintain SQL databases and data warehouses to support advanced analytics and reporting requirements
  • Collaborate on data modeling and schema design to optimize query performance and storage efficiency
• Big Data and Cloud Infrastructure:
  • Architect and implement Big Data solutions using technologies such as Hadoop, Spark, or similar frameworks
  • Leverage cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) to design and manage data storage, processing, and integration solutions
• Reporting and Data Accessibility:
  • Build data pipelines and integrations to support reporting dashboards and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
  • Ensure data accessibility and security for stakeholders while maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations
• Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:
  • Collaborate with Data Scientists to deliver clean, enriched datasets for machine learning and predictive modeling
  • Work with Product Owners and business stakeholders to understand data requirements and translate them into technical solutions
• Healthcare Data Expertise:
  • Manage and process healthcare-related data, including claims, EHRs, and other patient-centric datasets
  • Ensure compliance with healthcare data privacy regulations such as HIPAA and HITECH Act
• Comply with the terms and conditions of the employment contract, company policies and procedures, and any and all directives (such as, but not limited to, transfer and/or re-assignment to different work locations, change in teams and/or work shifts, policies in regard to flexibility of work benefits and/or work environment, alternative work arrangements, and other decisions that may arise due to the changing business environment). The Company may adopt, vary or rescind these policies and directives in its absolute discretion and without any limitation (implied or otherwise) on its ability to do so

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field
• 7+ years of professional experience in Data Engineering or related roles
• Solid experience building ETL pipelines and integrating data from multiple sources
• Hands-on experience with Big Data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Hive, etc.)
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), including data storage and processing services
• Proficiency in Python and pandas for data manipulation and processing
• Solid expertise in SQL for querying, database design, and optimization
• Familiarity with reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and data visualization workflows
• Knowledge of data governance, security, and compliance, particularly in healthcare environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
• Exposure to healthcare data formats (e.g., HL7, FHIR) and standards
• Basic understanding of machine learning workflows and how data engineering supports them
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and Agile methodologies

Soft Skills:

• Solid problem-solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities across technical and non-technical teams
• Attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality data solutions
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment

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.