Principal Digital Accessibility Engineer - Telecommute

Combine two of the fastest-growing fields on the planet with a culture of performance, collaboration and opportunity and this is what you get. Leading edge technology in an industry that's improving the lives of millions. Here, innovation isn't about another gadget, it's about making health care data available wherever and whenever people need it, safely and reliably. There's no room for error. Join us and start doing your life's best work.(sm)

United Design (part of UnitedHealth Group and Optum) is on a mission to create a healthier world, one person at a time. We believe this begins with innovative design thinking and technology aimed at delivering experiences that will make healthcare simpler, equitable and more effective. And dare we say even enjoyable.

The Accessibility Center of Excellence seeks energetic, motivated and resourceful individuals to join our growing team. The Accessibility Center of Excellence serves the UnitedHealth Group enterprise (Optum and UnitedHealthcare), providing guidance, training and talent to product teams as they build solutions that ensure everyone can access and use Optum and UHC products.

As a principal digital accessibility engineer, you will continue to progress skills learned and practiced as a senior digital accessibility engineer. In addition, you will collaborate with Accessibility Center of Excellence leadership to passionately promote the need for accessible products and services across the enterprise. You will eagerly educate and train product teams on specific accessibility requirements and the use of tools that teams can use to incorporate accessibility early in the product development lifecycle.

You will think broadly and have the ability to argue rationally and professionally questioning the status quo when needed.

You will also have a high level of intellectual curiosity and be comfortable with ambiguity.

You will leverage prior accessibility experience to constantly evaluate and recommend improvements to the accessibility processes, our tools and training materials. You will actively contribute in one or more working groups for standards, research, tools development or other accessibility resources to help mature the practice of accessibility within the company and promote a culture of inclusive design, using best in class accessibility tools and techniques.

To be successful, you must show empathy towards people with disabilities, have a passion for helping to make products better for everyone, have a curious, inquisitive mind and self-awareness with an interest in continuing to improve your people and technical skills and be able to share your knowledge and talent with team members and clients by providing training and mentoring.

To know more about Optum Technology, click here.

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

Primary Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of Accessibility Center of Excellence leadership, collaborate with product teams across the enterprise to promote the need for accessible products and services
Serve as an accessibility knowledge expert, being the on-call resource to team members and clients, providing direction to and mentoring team members and clients
Leverage knowledge and experience to continuously evaluate and recommend improvements to the accessibility processes, tools used and training provided
Provide leadership of key projects, such as the Engineering Standards (for mobile or web), guiding the research and documentation efforts of other team members, as they address best practices for usability and accessibility
Create a communication plan for sharing decisions and promoting decisions made by the Engineering Standards team across the enterprise
When called on for high priority situations where litigation may be involved, perform the duties of a senior digital accessibility engineer
Help to innovate and create new tools for use by the Accessibility Center of Excellence team
Help to create efficiencies by developing better processes, templates and deliverables for use by the Accessibility Center of Excellence team
Present accessibility knowledge to evangelize and educate via external conference presentations, webinars and workshops
Research and stay aware of new development frameworks for the purpose of assisting developers in creating accessible products
Support the Accessibility Center of Excellence by researching and writing posts for internal and external websites
Write curriculum and lead accessibility training for peers and clients
Identify new opportunities to support and contribute to the growth of the Accessibility Center of Excellence

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:

10+ years working in a fast-paced and highly collaborative development environment with experience in large, complex software or web applications
8+ years working as a digital accessibility engineer
Advanced knowledge of HTML, CSS and JavaScript
Advanced knowledge of writing reusable frontend code for modern frameworks such as Angular, Backbone, etc.)
Advanced knowledge of Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) guidelines and specifications
Expert knowledge of assistive technology and accessibility-related software, including JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, ZoomText, Dragon NaturallySpeaking or other speech recognition software
Expert familiarity with WCAG
Advanced understanding of Agile development methodology
Preferred Qualifications:

BA/BS in information technology, information design, computer science, human computer interaction (HCI), instructional design, quality assurance, assistive technology or related field, or equivalent industry training and experience
Advanced knowledge of user-centered design principles and tools
Advanced understanding of how to use design pattern libraries for client products
Self-motivated with a desire to improve products for people with disabilities
Expert soft skills and mastery of working with teams who may not have any understanding of inclusive design or accessibility
Advanced presentation skills to peers, clients and executives and to external audiences at conferences, via webinars and for educational institutions
Proven ability to teach and train others based on the audiences’ learning style and experience with accessibility and inclusive design

To protect the health and safety of our workforce, patients and communities we serve, UnitedHealth Group and its affiliate companies require all employees to disclose COVID-19 vaccination status prior to beginning employment. In addition, some roles and locations require full COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as an essential job function. UnitedHealth Group adheres to all federal, state and local COVID-19 vaccination regulations as well as all client COVID-19 vaccination requirements and will obtain the necessary information from candidates prior to employment to ensure compliance. Candidates must be able to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. Failure to meet the vaccination requirement may result in rescission of an employment offer or termination of employment.


Technology Careers with Optum. Information and technology have amazing power to transform the health care industry and improve people's lives. This is where it's happening. This is where you'll help solve the problems that have never been solved. We're freeing information so it can be used safely and securely wherever it's needed. We're creating the very best ideas that can most easily be put into action to help our clients improve the quality of care and lower costs for millions. This is where the best and the brightest work together to make positive change a reality. This is the place to do your life's best work.(sm)

Colorado, Connecticut or Nevada Residents Only: The salary range for Colorado residents is $97,300 to $176,900. The salary range for Connecticut / Nevada residents is $97,300 to $176,900. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. 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.

*All Telecommuters will be required to adhere to UnitedHealth Group’s Telecommuter Policy

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.