Principal Network Engineer – 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.

Optum’s Enterprise Technology Infrastructure, Platforms & Services (ETIPS) Team delivers services and operational support to meet business integration objectives. Architecture leadership to provide scalable, secure, and highly available infrastructure solutions to meet care delivery business needs and enable future business growth.

The complexity of this role can be challenging. You’ll be working on strategic programs with responsibility for providing engineering leadership to key initiatives across the organization with specific focus on network environments with high levels of governance (i.e. FISMA). You’ll be expected to ensure that the programs align to the IT strategy, leverage enterprise components and capabilities, advance the state of our IT assets, and expand and improve on our enterprise engineering strategy.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to and help lead multiple Network Engineering initiatives and projects consisting of design and development, solution design, analysis, testing, and integration, with primary focus in Optum’s FISMA-governed and/or DMZ environments
  • Provide feedback on project status, milestones, and risks
  • Develop network service strategies; evaluate and select hardware and software products, implement and integrate these products into comprehensive solutions meeting company’s business requirements
  • Perform after-hours systems support, installation, maintenance, and on-call, as required
  • Provide specialized technical expertise in researching and resolving complex technology network infrastructure problems which may involve coordination of hardware and software vendor support
  • Advise team members on procedures, techniques, and requirements to insure maximum performance and availability of the company infrastructure. Recommend areas for improvement in both processes and systems
  • Conduct implementations, conversions, and upgrades in a manner consistent with Standard Operating Procedures within company maintenance windows; including change management procedures
  • Communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, project managers, and stakeholders
  • Author technical documentation such as network diagrams
  • Work closely with vendors on implementation of products and services
  • Ensure security and operational standards and procedures are maintained in accordance with UHG IT compliance requirements, HIPPA standards, and industry best practices
  • Perform risk analysis to identify IT security issues and remediating plans. Identify and/or mitigate operational risks where appropriate

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:

  • Undergraduate degree or 5+ years of related experience
  • 5+ years of experience with Cisco or Arista network products
  • 5+ years of routing experience
  • 4+ years of experience configuring, installing, and troubleshooting routing and switching
  • 4+ years of experience configuring switches with layer-2 and layer-3 VLANs, trunking, and high availability options 
  • Experience working within an Enterprise size network
  • Ability to cross between technical and non-technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • CCNP (or similar) or higher certification
  • 3rd level support, after hours and on-call experience
  • Proven understanding of Palo Alto firewall technologies and / or debugging techniques
  • Experience with a scripting/programming language such as Python
  • Experience with infrastructure automation 
  • Experience in FISMA and/or other heavily governed environments
  • Experience with technology delivery in the healthcare industry
  • Experience installing and maintaining Cisco or Arista routers and switches
  • Experience designing and/or building resilient networks
  • Knowledge and experience with Software Defined Networking (SDN); Cisco ACI
  • Proven solid documentation skills with use of programs such as Visio
  • Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and projects
  • Experience working within teams

What are the reasons to consider working for UnitedHealth Group?   Put it all together – competitive base pay, a full and comprehensive benefit program, performance rewards, and a management team who demonstrates their commitment to your success. Some of our offerings include:

  • Paid Time Off which you start to accrue with your first pay period plus 8 Paid Holidays
  • Medical Plan options along with participation in a Health Spending Account or a Health Saving account
  • Dental, Vision, Life& AD&D Insurance along with Short-term disability and Long-Term Disability coverage
  • 401(k) Savings Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Education Reimbursement
  • Employee Discounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Referral Bonus Program
  • Voluntary Benefits (pet insurance, legal insurance, LTC Insurance, etc.)
  • More information can be downloaded at:  http://uhg.hr/uhgbenefits

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

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington, D.C. Residents Only: The salary range for this role is $104,700 to $190,400 annually. 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.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug – free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.