Credit Data Modeler

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. We're seeking a sharp, experienced Credit Modeler to build and scale the credit modeling infrastructure behind our Consumer and Small Business lending products. In this hands-on role, you will develop and maintain new and existing machine learning and statistical models that power real-time credit decisions across acquisition, pricing, line assignment, and portfolio risk management. This is a high-impact opportunity to shape how we use data to drive responsible growth, improve financial inclusion, and optimize unit economics - all in a fast-paced, agile Banking environment.

You'll enjoy the flexibility to work remotely * from anywhere within the U.S. as you take on some tough challenges. For all hires in the Minneapolis or Washington, D.C. area, you will be required to work in the office a minimum of four days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build Credit Models:

• Develop and maintain predictive models for application and behavioral scoring, probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD), and early risk detection
• Design models for underwriting, fraud detection, credit line management, and collections strategies

• Feature Engineering & Data Innovation:

• Create advanced features using alternative data sources (e.g., bank transaction data, health care claims data, cash flow, open banking, etc.)
• Evaluate new data vendors and enrich internal datasets to improve model performance

• End-to-End Ownership:

• Take models from prototype to production in partnership with Data Engineering and Product teams
• Build interpretable and compliant models aligned with FCRA, ECOA, and fair lending standards

• Performance Monitoring & Iteration:

• Own model monitoring, validation, reporting and back testing, regularly recalibrating for shifts in macroeconomic conditions or borrower behavior

• Collaborate Cross-Functionally:

• Work with Risk, Product, Compliance and Finance teams to integrate model outputs into strategy
• Communicate insights clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders

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

• 5+ years of experience working with Python or R and SQL; familiarity with cloud environments like AWS, GCP, or Snowflake
• 5+ years of experience working with lending lifecycle and credit risk KPIs (e.g., delinquency, charge-offs, approval rates, ROI, payback)
• 4+ years of experience in credit risk modeling, ideally at a fintech, neobank, or consumer lending startup
• 4+ years of experience with both traditional statistical techniques (e.g., logistic regression, scorecards) and modern machine learning
• Ability to travel 10%

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with real-time underwriting or decisioning APIs
• Work in embedded finance, BNPL, gig economy lending, or small business credit
• Familiarity with explainability frameworks (e.g., SHAP, LIME)
• Exposure to model governance or regulatory reviews
• Comfort working in a dynamic, test-and-learn environment with incomplete data
• Proven solid communication skills and attention to model transparency, fairness, and compliance
• All employees working remotely 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 $112,700 to $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.