Department:

Technology

Our Company Promise

We are committed to provide our Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. Creativity and innovation are encouraged for improving the effectiveness of Southwest Airlines. Above all, Employees will be provided the same concern, respect, and caring attitude within the organization that they are expected to share externally with every Southwest Customer.

Job Description:

All of Southwest’s People come together to deliver on our Purpose; Connecting People to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. The Data Scientist delivers on our Purpose by serving as an internal consultant and subject matter expert, responsible for leading the application of statistics/math, business acumen, and computer science concepts to collect, organize, analyze, summarize, and interpret data. This opening is an opportunity to join one of two teams: Integrated Operations or AI Delivery for Customer & Commercial. Both teams work closely with various business units to implement data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence solutions. Integrated Operations primarily partners with core operational groups across the company, including Network Operations, Ground Operations, and Crew. In contrast, the AI Delivery for Customer & Commercial team focuses on initiatives that enhance the customer experience and support commercial strategies. We’re looking for a Data Scientist who is a strong communicator and comfortable synthesizing and presenting data to support high-impact initiatives that shape the future of Southwest.

 

Additional details: 

This role allows for voluntary remote work for the majority of your working time within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with occasional on-site presence at our Corporate Campus for training, meetings, and business needs. This role may also require limited travel for business purposes. 

U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.  

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to look for opportunities to reflect the communities we serve, and welcome applicants with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences.  

ResponsibilitiesDrives moderate to complex data science, machine learning, traditional artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence or optimization projects, working with stakeholders to understand contextual problems quickly and define, analyze, and deliver solutions based on business objectivesApplies math, statistics, and modeling methods to create solutions which can be utilized in descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analyticsSupports the ongoing effectiveness of models in use by stakeholdersDrives the formulation and communication of solutions for data analysis and modelsSupports the ongoing development of analytical IQ by collaborating with and contributing to the Southwest Airlines data science communityMust be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this descriptionMay perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesIntermediate Knowledge of statistics and math conceptsIntermediate knowledge of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive statistical methods and their differencesIntermediate knowledge of data science project life cycle including engaging stakeholders to define the problem, solution definition, project planning, and executing per planKnowledge of, at a broad level, how technology platforms and architectures are applicable to data scienceSkilled in compiling, cleaning, transforming, analyzing, and visualizing large-scale dataSkilled in statistical and scripting programming languagesAbility to communicate in an engaging way with strong verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences up to and including executives with assistance from more experienced data scientistsAbility to collaborate with vendors and evaluate their platforms, solutions, or techniquesAbility to evaluate which data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization techniques and methods are appropriate for a business problem and make recommendations for solutionsAbility to collaborate with vendors and evaluate their platforms, solutions, or techniquesAbility to adjust to a variety of situations and adopt new approaches and methodologies if necessary in order to effectively meet business objectivesIntermediate knowledge of statistical analysis, probability theory, and experimental design to validate AI model performanceEducationRequired: High School Diploma or GEDRequired: Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, Computer or Data Sciences, Information Technology or similar fields of study; or equivalent advance level experience

ExperienceAdvanced level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:Mathematics and statistics principles and techniquesProgramming languages and query writing for large-scale analysis (Python, SQL, etc.)Data analysis, advanced analytics, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization project experienceData pipeline, data science and/or relevant programmingVisualization and presentation development and deliverySolving ambiguous and complex problems through a systems thinking approachBuilding relationships and trust across functional organizationsPreferred: Experience with AWS Toolstack: Sagemaker, S3, Lambda, Glue, Bedrock, and EMRPreferred: Experience with data analysis, advanced analytics, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization project experience: Simulation, Graph Analytics, Video Analytics, and OptimizationPreferred: Experience with data pipelines, data science, and/or relevant programming: NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, XGBoost, TensorFlow, Keras, and PysparkPreferred: Experience with visualization and presentation development and delivery: Tableau, Python-based libraries (ex: Mathplotlib, Plotly, Seaborn), Streamlit, and ReactJS 

Licensing/CertificationN/A

Physical AbilitiesAbility to perform work duties from [limited space work station/desk/office area] for extended periods of timeAbility to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the jobAbility to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job

Other QualificationsMust maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelinesMust be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986Must be at least 18 years of age.Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelinesMust meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary and sensitive Company information

Pay & Benefits:

Competitive market salary from $128,350 per year to $142,600 per year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the company.

Benefits you’ll love: 

Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too) Southwest will help fund your Retirement Savings Plan with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings** Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit*** Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets) Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment. Explore more Benefits you’ll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time.

**401(k) match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to plan’s vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Job Posting End Date
08/01/2025