Network Defense Technical Advisor - 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 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 Network Defense Technical Advisor supporting Cyber Defense, you will serve as a strategic technical subject matter expert focused on network cartography, proactive network defense, containment strategy, and security posture optimization. In this high-impact role, you will collaborate across Enterprise Security, Network Engineering, and Security Operations teams to map complex network topographies, evaluate attack surfaces, and architect proactive containment controls. Your strategic technical leadership will directly strengthen the enterprise defense posture and protect critical healthcare infrastructure and data assets.

If you are located in MN or DC, you will have the flexibility to work remotely* as you take on some tough challenges. This position follows a office-based schedule with four in-office days per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• • Lead strategic network cartography initiatives to map, visualize, and continuously assess enterprise network topographies and asset relationships
• • Design, evaluate, and advise on proactive network defense strategies and containment frameworks to minimize attack surface exposure and limit lateral movement
• • Partner with security operations, threat intelligence, and network engineering teams to continuously optimize the enterprise security posture
• • Serve as a technical subject matter expert on network threat modeling, micro-segmentation, egress/ingress controls, and containment protocols
• • Develop and maintain technical guidance, containment playbooks, and security control validation strategies for complex hybrid and multi-cloud network environments
• • Analyze security telemetry, network traffic patterns, and topology changes to proactively identify systemic vulnerabilities and architectural risks
• • Drive adoption of security-by-design principles across enterprise network infrastructure, perimeter defenses, and critical boundary controls

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

• 7+ years of professional experience in cybersecurity defense, network security engineering, or advanced threat analysis
• 5+ years of experience designing and implementing network containment strategies, segmentation, and perimeter defense controls
• 5+ years of core networking expertise, including deep understanding of network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, BGP, DNS, TLS) and enterprise network architectures
• 3+ years of experience performing network cartography, network topology mapping, asset discovery, or communication flow visualization across complex enterprise environments
• 3+ years of experience integrating network telemetry and security alerts into enterprise SIEM or data lakes

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry security certifications such as CISSP, GCIA, GDAT, PCNSE, CCNP, or equivalent credentials
• Technical experience leading threat modeling and strategic security posture optimization across large-scale environments
• Experience with micro-segmentation architectures, Zero Trust networking principles, and cloud network security (AWS, Azure, GCP, OCI)
• Experience with automated network cartography tools and network traffic analysis/detection platforms (NTA/NDR)
• Proven ability to translate complex technical network security concepts into actionable strategies for cross-functional engineering teams and leadership

*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 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

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.