Southwest Airlines

Data Engineer

Southwest Airlines • $114K — $126K *
Dallas, TX 75217In-Person
Information Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent experience
  • Intermediate level experience in cloud infrastructure and DataLake management
  • Proficient in ETL processes ensuring data integrity and handling various file types
  • Experience with AWS Cloud services and related technologies
  • Familiarity with Agile development practices and ceremonies

Responsibilities

  • Assemble large complex data sets that meet functional business requirements
  • Identify and implement improvements for greater infrastructure scalability and data delivery optimization
  • Build infrastructure for extracting, transforming, and loading data using AWS and SQL
  • Create analytical tools providing insights into key performance metrics
  • Collaborate with diverse stakeholder teams to resolve data-related technical issues
  • Support data infrastructure needs across executive, product, design, and data teams
  • Generate and adapt technology to meet user requirements

Benefits

  • Fly for free on Southwest flights for you and eligible dependents
  • Company contributions to 401(k) retirement savings up to 9.3% of eligible earnings
  • Potential annual Profit Sharing contribution based on company profits
  • Comprehensive health insurance options for you and eligible dependents, including pets
  • Health plan coverage starts on the first day of employment with a 30-day enrollment period
Full Job Description
Department:
Technology

Job Description:

As a Data Engineer on the AIDT Delivery & Operations Team, you'll operate in a hybrid role that blends hands-on data engineering with impactful business and data analytics. Working with limited supervision, you'll design, build, and manage scalable data pipelines-including streaming data and API integrations-while delivering analysis that drives meaningful decision-making. You'll provide end-to-end design guidance for analytic solutions, deploy pipelines into higher environments, and integrate with SQL-based systems to ensure reliable, production-ready data products. Partnering with focused groups across Southwest, you'll help create unique data infrastructure, run tests to isolate issues, and refine systems to adapt to evolving business needs. By combining technical execution with analytical curiosity, you'll support high-quality data solutions that power critical operational and enterprise outcomes.

Additional details
  • This role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require travel for training, meetings, conferences, etc. Outside of those required visits, the majority of your working time may be spent in a remote location, away from our Corporate Campus. Please note, while this is a remote position, there is a limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work. Those ineligible locations are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.
  • U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.


Responsibilities
  • Assemble large, complex sets of data that meet non-functional and functional business requirements
  • Identify, design and implement internal process improvements including re-designing infrastructure for greater scalability, optimizing data delivery, and automating manual processes
  • Build required infrastructure for optimal extraction, transformation and loading of data from various data sources using AWS and SQL technologies
  • Build analytical tools to utilize the data pipeline, providing actionable insight into key business performance metrics including operational efficiency and customer acquisition
  • Work with stakeholders including data, design, product and executive teams and assisting them with data-related technical issues
  • Work with stakeholders including the Executive, Product, Data and Design teams to support their data infrastructure needs while assisting with data-related technical issues
  • Generate or adapt equipment and technology to serve user needs
  • May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models
  • Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
  • Ability to understand new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
  • Skilled in identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
  • Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem
  • Ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)
  • Ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources)
  • Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations)
  • Ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material


Education
  • Required: High School Diploma or GED
  • Required: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information systems or similar fields of study or equivalent advanced level experience


Experience
  • Required: Intermediate level experience, fully functioning broad knowledge in:
    • Cloud infrastructure, DataLake
    • ETL experience ensuring source to target data integrity
    • Various filetypes (Delimited Text, Fixed Width, XML, JSON, Parque).
    • ServiceBus, setting up ingress and egress within a subscription, or relevant AWS Cloud services administrative experience.
    • Unit Testing, Code Quality tools, CI/CD Technologies, Security and Container Technologies
    • Agile development experience and Agile ceremonies and practices

  • Preferred: Proficiency in Python (including PySpark) and SQL
  • Preferred: Experience using cloud computing tools, particularly AWS Lambda, AWS Glue, and EMR (or equivalent cloud data-processing services)
  • Preferred: Experience ingesting real-time streaming data using tools such as Confluent Kafka
  • Preferred: Experience orchestrating ETL workflows using AWS Step Functions or EventBridge
  • Preferred: Familiarity with Data Warehousing methodologies and Relational Databases
  • Preferred: Experience developing robust data pipelines with error handling, monitoring, and quality checks
  • Preferred: Strong knowledge of modern data formats such as Parquet
  • Preferred: Ability to perform Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) to assess data quality, identify patterns, and generate actionable insights


Licensing/Certification
  • N/A


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


Other Qualifications
  • Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
  • Must be able to travel and /or attend Company and non-Company facilities and remote locations such as remote-based offices as necessary


Pay & Benefits
  • Competitive market salary from $114,200 - 126,900 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 401(k) retirement savings 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: careers.southwestair.com/benefits

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

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About Southwest Airlines

AirTran Airways, a Fortune 1000 company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), has been ranked the number one low cost carrier in the Airline Quality Rating study for the past three years. AirTran Airways is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet.

Southwest Airlines Careers

Join the vibrant team at Southwest Airlines, a leading entity in the aviation industry known for its exceptional culture and commitment to innovation and diversity. As we continue to expand, there has never been a better time to explore job opportunities with us. Work You’ll Do At Southwest Airlines, we offer a variety of career paths ranging from aviation mechanics to customer service professionals, all united by a common goal of providing excellent service and maintaining the highest standards of safety. Our team members are the heart of our operations, and we empower them to succeed in their roles and beyond. Transform Your Career Step into a role at Southwest Airlines and join a team that values leadership, professional growth, and diversity training. Our employees are encouraged to lead from their first day, supported by our robust leadership development programs. Innovate with Us Southwest Airlines is at the forefront of innovation in the aviation industry. Join us and contribute to projects that redefine the future of air travel. Our collaborative environment fosters innovation, allowing every team member to make an impact. Be Part of a Great Team Our culture is built on connectivity and teamwork. At Southwest Airlines, you will work alongside dedicated professionals who share your passion for excellence. We celebrate diversity and believe it drives innovation, making us stronger and more responsive to our customers' needs. Future-Proof Your Career Southwest Airlines is committed to the professional development of our employees. With a wide range of benefits, from comprehensive health coverage to employee travel perks, we ensure that your career with us is rewarding. Continuous learning is part of our DNA, and we provide extensive training and development opportunities to help you grow your skills and advance your career. Internship Opportunities Kickstart your career with a Southwest Airlines internship. Gain invaluable industry experience, build your network, and learn from leaders who are eager to mentor the next generation of aviation professionals. Our internships offer a deep dive into the aviation world, preparing you for a full-time position in your chosen field. Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are looking for passionate, curious, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take their career to new heights. Explore our job opportunities and find out how you can contribute to the Southwest Airlines family. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights—all from the people who make Southwest Airlines a great place to work. Explore Discover how innovation at Southwest Airlines is shaping the future of air travel and how you can be a part of it. Read more about our projects, team achievements, and the impact we’re making in the industry. Southwest Airlines Careers Our commitment to professional growth, a dynamic culture, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace makes Southwest Airlines not just a great place to work, but a community where you can build a fulfilling career. Join us and see where your skills and passions can take you.
Learn more about Southwest Airlines
Size
58,865 employees
Market Cap
$19.8 billion
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Net Income
-$3 billion
Founded
1971
5 Year Trend
-4.9%
Revenue
$9 billion
NASDAQ
LUV
* Ladders Estimates

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