Southwest Airlines

Lead Technology Analyst

Southwest Airlines$138K — $154K *
Information Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in AI governance, technology analysis, or a related IT field
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Information Systems or equivalent experience
  • Expert-level knowledge in information technology operations and software development methodologies
  • Strong understanding of data governance including data quality, compliance, and lifecycle management
  • Ability to mentor and teach technical and business concepts effectively

Responsibilities

  • Lead data governance practices for AI solutions to ensure compliance and trustworthiness
  • Conduct needs analysis and establish standards for data quality and security
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex requirements
  • Evaluate and provide insights on alternative solutions and opportunities for improvement
  • Monitor program risks and issues to align priorities and visibility
  • Communicate technical and business requirements clearly to stakeholders
  • Drive urgency in task completion while maintaining prioritization processes

Benefits

  • Free flights on all Southwest flights for you and eligible dependents
  • Company contributions up to 9.3% to your Retirement Savings Plan
  • Potential annual profit-sharing contributions based on company profits
  • Competitive health insurance coverage available from the first day of employment
  • Flexible work options, including voluntary remote work for most of your working time
Full Job Description
Department:
Technology

Job Description:

The Lead Technology Analyst supports enterprise AI initiatives by Leading data governance practices that ensure AI solutions are trustworthy, compliant, and scalable. They'll conduct needs analysis and establish standards for AI data quality, lineage, privacy, security, and responsible data use while ensuring solutions align with enterprise requirements and governance expectations. They'll partner across Technology, Data Governance, AI Governance, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Legal, and business Teams to translate complex requirements into practical and repeatable processes. The Lead Technology Analyst leverages strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills to drive alignment, support responsible AI practices, and ensure AI systems use secure, traceable, and reliable data.

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.


Responsibilities
  • Apply and teach knowledge and skills of analysis, business processes, tools, domains, project methodologies, requirements definitions, and testing to solve a range of problems
  • Partner with other Technology Team members to provide advice or solutions within areas of expertise
  • Identify and provide strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems and search for and seize opportunities to do more or to do things better
  • Estimate effort and value for solutions
  • Apply and teach business solutions with broad level knowledge about technology platforms/architectures
  • Verify information and carefully review and check the accuracy of your own work and the work of others' using dependency identification processes in technology work
  • Establish or follow prioritization processes to drive work, completing work with a sense of urgency
  • Express ideas, business or technical requirements clearly and concisely verbally and in writing using appropriate levels of summary and synthesis on a regular and consistent basis
  • Monitor program risks, issues, and scope, ensuring the appropriate level of priority, visibility and escalation
  • May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Advanced knowledge of business analysis, process modeling and redesign
  • Advanced knowledge of technical environments
  • Advanced knowledge of software development methodologies
  • Skilled in excellent partnering, communication, and negotiation in working with various Teams and/or external partners
  • Ability to analyze large, complex, or vague Business or technical problems, articulating the problem or root cause, and translating the analysis into viable solution recommendations
  • Ability to analyze data and trends, draw conclusions, and make recommendations based on analysis
  • Ability to work effectively in a strong Customer service/team oriented environment
  • Ability to research, create, and document requirements, processes, and technical specifications
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple and widely varied work streams/tasks
  • Ability to take on multiple assignments, whether administrative or project related, while maintaining a successful level of completion in all responsible work; able to mentor others to do the same
  • Ability to develop, present and effectively communicate ideas and strategies to a variety of audiences, including Senior Leadership
  • Ability to teach and mentor others concerning technical and business subjects


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


Experience
  • Required: Expert-level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in information technology (IT) operations, programming, systems/software development or another IT related field
  • Preferred: Advanced understanding of data governance practices, including data quality, lineage, metadata, lifecycle management, privacy, security, compliance, and responsible data use.


  • Preferred: Working knowledge of AI governance frameworks, including the NIST AI Risk Management Framework, and the role of data governance in supporting responsible AI, risk management, and regulatory compliance.


  • Preferred: Ability to define, document, and operationalize data standards for AI systems, including training, testing, and production data, metadata, lineage, model inputs and outputs, assumptions, and documentation requirements.
  • Preferred: Strong ability to assess dataset quality, completeness, integrity, representativeness, suitability, bias, demographic proxy risks, and other responsible AI considerations.
  • Preferred: Experience establishing traceability and governance across the AI data lifecycle, including data sourcing, collection, transformation, usage, monitoring, retention, refresh, decommissioning, and data provenance documentation.
  • Preferred: Understanding of privacy, cybersecurity, third-party risk, regulatory requirements, and sensitive or restricted data considerations related to AI systems.
  • Preferred: Experience creating controls, standards, procedures, and governance processes that support scalable, repeatable, and audit-ready governance practices.
  • Preferred: Experience supporting AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, automation, or data science initiatives, including AI lifecycle governance, model monitoring, and data quality oversight in a large enterprise environment.
  • Preferred: Experience with data catalogs, metadata management, data classification, data lineage, master data management, knowledge management, or similar governance tools.
  • Preferred: Experience partnering with Cybersecurity, Privacy, Legal, Risk, Compliance, Architecture, and Data Governance Teams to implement enterprise controls and governance requirements.
  • Preferred: Experience creating governance artifacts, operating procedures, executive summaries, dashboards, reports, and operational metrics to support decision-making and compliance.
  • Preferred: Familiarity with cloud data platforms, AI platforms, analytics platforms, enterprise data ecosystems, and model development lifecycle concepts.


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 $138,800 - $154,200 per year* depending on qualifications and experience, with opportunity for future pay increases based on performance and market movement. 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 doesn't 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

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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
Net Income
-$3 billion
Founded
1971
5 Year Trend
-4.9%
Revenue
$9 billion
NASDAQ

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