Southwest Airlines

Senior Operations Research Developer

Southwest Airlines$153K — $170K *
Transportation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent experience
  • Expert experience in applying Operations Research methods in business
  • Familiarity with Xpress, CPLEX, or similar LP/IP tools
  • Basic knowledge of AWS or cloud infrastructure and Linux-based development preferred
  • Strong optimization aptitude and logical thinking skills

Responsibilities

  • Develop mathematical models based on business requirements
  • Create strategies to solve developed models
  • Code implementations for solution strategies
  • Document technical details of models and strategies
  • Lead model and code reviews with the team
  • Test applications to ensure expected performance
  • Provide support and enhancements for developed applications

Benefits

  • Free flights on Southwest for you and eligible dependents
  • 401(k) retirement savings with up to 9.3% company contributions
  • Potential annual ProfitSharing contributions
  • Competitive health insurance starting from day one of employment
  • Health plan options that include coverage for pets
Full Job Description
Department:
Technology

Job Description:

As a Senior Operations Research Developer for the Network Optimization Team, you'll play a pivotal role in translating operational requirements into technical solutions. This position offers exciting challenges, as the Optimization Teams directly impact the efficiency of thousands of daily flights across hundreds of aircraft, thousands of crew members, and hundreds of thousands of passengers. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of airline operations, including aircraft operations, crew planning, crew recovery, passenger movement, airport operations, and maintenance, expanding your understanding of the airline industry.

Additional Details
  • This role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require travel for trainings, 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 limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work off-site. Those ineligible locations are: Alaska, Delaware, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.


Responsibilities
  • Develop mathematical models based on business requirements
  • Develop solution strategies to solve models developed
  • Develop code to implement solution strategies
  • Prepare technical documentation of models and solution strategies
  • Lead reviews of models, solution strategies, and code with the Team to leverage its collective experience
  • Test applications to insure they perform as expected, and solve the correct problem
  • Lead reviews of solutions with business Customers to ensure that they are acceptable
  • Calibrate the model or solution strategy as needed
  • Work effectively with the rest of the Team, business Customers, Technology development Teams, and support groups
  • Provide support for developed applications as needed. Create enhancements, or recalibrate as the business problem changes
  • Provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to other less-experienced Team members
  • May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of standard programming languages, and associated development tools (compilers, debuggers, etc)
  • Knowledge of software development, practice, concepts, and technology obtained through college degree program, formal training and/or work experience
  • Skilled in demonstrating a high-level of optimization aptitude and ability for logical and abstract thinking
  • Skilled in partnering, communication, and negotiating as to interact effectively with business Customers and technology development and support groups
  • Ability to complete root-cause analysis, design complex solutions, write code, perform testing, provide documentation, and implement optimization projects
  • Ability to analyze and resolve complex problems
  • Ability to work effectively in a strong Customer service/team oriented environment
  • Ability to work independently where appropriate
  • Ability to contribute thoughts and ideas on other active projects across the Team
  • Preferred: Foundational knowledge of AWS or other cloud infrastructure
  • Preferred: Foundational knowledge of Linux based development
  • Preferred: Preferred prior experience applying optimization methods in an airline environment
  • Preferred: Experience or familiarity with Scaled Agile for Enterprise (SAFe) Framework


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
  • Expert level experience, expansive and far reaching knowledge in:
    • Applying Operations Research methods in a business environment or a PhD with lesser business experience accepted
    • Using Xpress, CPLEX, or other industrial-strength LP/IP tools


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 $153,000 per year to $170,000 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: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits

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

**401(k) match contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits ***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan 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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