Lead DevOps Engineer - Kubernetes Deployments & GitOps

For those who want to invent the future of health care, here's your opportunity. We're going beyond basic care to health programs integrated across the entire continuum of care. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

To support this mission, OSIT has initiated a multi-year modernization program aimed at updating and enhancing enterprise technology systems in accordance with modern design standards.

Hands-on technical leader accountable for designing, building, and operating Kubernetes deployment platforms using GitOps practices to deliver reliable releases across multiple environments. Owns end-to-end delivery for assigned services (intake → build/test → deploy → production support), coordinating across development, QA, and operations to meet commitments. Drives security, governance, and compliance outcomes for the delivery platform, ensuring standardized, repeatable, and auditable deployment processes. Leads and mentors a medium-sized engineering team, setting technical direction while remaining deeply engaged in implementation and operational execution.

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 and operate Kubernetes deployment capabilities using ArgoCD and/or Flux, establishing GitOps standards for repo structure, promotion workflows, and environment consistency
• Engineer and maintain deployment automation/tooling (CI/CD pipelines, scripting, deployment platforms), converting repeat manual work into durable automation
• Administer and govern source control ecosystems (Git, GitLab, GitHub), including security controls, branch protections, and operational hygiene aligned to platform needs
• Run sprint releases and release governance: cut release branches on schedule, coordinate merges, enforce approval controls (including late merges), trigger rebuilds for impacted pipelines, and execute releases aligned to CHG approvals with clear status communication
• Own reliability of non-prod and production delivery environments: keep release environments healthy, respond to operational issues impacting delivery, and coordinate environment refresh/restore activities
• Lead secure delivery practices, including secrets management for certificates/credentials/keys and disciplined rotation practices integrated into deployment operations
• Adopt enterprise-approved AI tools and drive AI adoption within the team to improve speed, quality, and consistency of engineering delivery
• Lead, coach, and manage performance for a medium-sized engineering team; build capability through mentoring/training while maintaining accountability for outcomes
• Partner effectively with internal stakeholders (developers, leadership, infrastructure/ops) and external stakeholders (vendors/partners) to deliver results and manage dependencies

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:

• Hands-on experience deploying and operating workloads on Kubernetes, including production-grade deployment and troubleshooting practices
• Practical experience with GitOps tooling (ArgoCD and/or Flux) and Git-centered delivery workflows
• Proficiency in modern source control and delivery ecosystems: Git, and enterprise platforms such as GitHub and/or GitLab
• Demonstrated ability to build/maintain CI/CD automation and handle necessary manual steps while systematically converting them into automation over time
• Demonstrated leadership as a hands-on technical lead, including team guidance, mentoring/coaching, and day-to-day delivery ownership
• Proven ability to execute and govern releases (branching/release coordination, approvals, and rebuild discipline) in a multi-team environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead a medium-sized team including performance tracking, coaching, and performance management
• Experience deploying into Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and working familiarity with Azure (identity, networking, security, monitoring/observability). Similar experience with AWS is acceptable
• Solid scripting skills (e.g., PowerShell/Python or similar) for pipeline/tooling automation and operational efficiency
• United States Citizenship
• Ability to obtain favorable adjudication following submission of Department of Defense eQuip Form SF86

Preferred Requirements:

• CKAD (Certified Kubernetes Application Developer) certification
• Cloud certifications (Azure and/or AWS)
• Experience deploying/operating in a highly regulated environment (e.g., government contract constraints, sensitive data, strict access requirements, formal change control)
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code such as Terraform
• Experience managing vendor relationships and driving SLA-oriented outcomes in partnership with operations and security/governance stakeholders
• Experience hiring and building teams in Kubernetes/GitOps/DevOps domains (interviewing, selection, onboarding)
• Solid communication and stakeholder management skills across engineering, operations, and leadership audiences

*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.