Associate Data Scientist - Direct College Hire

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
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Our Technology Direct College Hire Program is a pathway for early-career technology professionals with up to two years of professional experience, including recent college graduates ready to begin the next chapter of their careers. Through this program you’ll receive hands-on experience, mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities, you'll build meaningful connections, strengthen your technical skills, and gain the experience needed for long-term success. We're currently hiring for cohorts beginning in January, June, and August 2027.
As an Associate Data Scientist supporting an AI Delivery Team, you'll help develop AI-powered solutions that improve decision-making across Southwest's operations. Unlike many entry-level data science roles that focus primarily on model development, this role provides exposure to the full AI product lifecycle. You'll partner with business stakeholders to understand operational challenges, analyze and prepare data, create visualizations, evaluate machine learning, optimization, and generative AI approaches, and support the development, testing, and deployment of scalable solutions. Working alongside experienced Data Scientists, Data Engineers, Software Engineers, and Machine Learning Operations Teams, you'll help deliver technology that enhances forecasting, planning, disruption management, staffing optimization, and operational performance while gaining valuable insight into the day-to-day operation of the airline.
Role
We’re hiring multiple Associate Data Scientist roles in the Technology Department. Selected Candidates will support one of the following Teams:
AI Delivery (Air Operations)
The Airline Operations AI Delivery Team develops AI-powered solutions that support decision-making across Southwest's Air Operations organization. Partnering with the Network Operations Center (NOC), Crew Scheduling and Planning, Flight Operations, Inflight Operations, Operational Performance, and other operational stakeholders, the Team builds solutions using machine learning, optimization, and generative AI to help improve planning, forecasting, disruption management, and operational performance. Team Members gain broad exposure to airline operations while working on technology that directly impacts the airline's day-to-day operation.
AI Delivery (Technical Operations and Ground Operations)
The Tech Ops and Ground Ops AI Delivery Team partners with stakeholders across Ground Ops, Tech Ops, and other Air Ops functions to develop AI-powered solutions that support forecasting, staffing optimization, disruption management, planning, and operational performance. The Team leverages machine learning, optimization, and generative AI to build scalable products that help drive informed decision-making across Southwest's operation. Team Members gain exposure to the full AI product lifecycle while contributing to technology that supports safe, efficient, and reliable airline operations.
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. Applicants must reside in an eligible state by their first day of employment. Relocation assistance is not provided for this position.
U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.
We’re committed to fair hiring practices and to making employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics.
Responsibilities
Works on moderately 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 objectives
Applies math, statistics, and/or modeling methods to create solutions which can be utilized in descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics
Supports the ongoing effectiveness of models in use by stakeholders
Formulates solutions and communicates results from data analysis and models with some assistance from more experienced Data Scientists
Supports the ongoing development of analytical IQ by collaborating with and contributing to the Southwest Airlines data science community
Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description
May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Knowledge of foundational statistics and math concepts
Knowledge of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive statistical methods and their differences
Knowledge of data science project life cycle including engaging stakeholders to define the problem, solution definition, project planning, and executing per plan
Basic knowledge of, at a broad level, how technology platforms and architectures are applicable to data science
Skilled in compiling, cleaning, transforming, analysis, and visualization of large-scale data
Skilled in statistical and scripting programming languages
Ability to communicate in an engaging way with strong verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences up to and including functional leaders
Ability to collaborate with vendors and evaluate their platforms, solutions, or techniques
Ability to evaluate which data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence techniques and methods are appropriate for a business problem and make recommendations for solutions
Ability to collaborate with vendors and evaluate their platforms, solutions, or techniques
Basic ability to evaluate which data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization techniques and methods are appropriate for a business problem and make recommendations for solutions
Ability to adjust to a variety of situations and adopt new approaches and methodologies if necessary in order to effectively meet business objectives
Knowledge of statistical analysis, probability theory, and experimental design to validate AI model performance
Education
Required: High School Diploma or GED
Required: Bachelor's Degree in Business, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or related field; or equivalent formal training
Experience
Required: Entry-level experience; developing skills and knowledge in Data Science
Preferred: Intermediate level experience, fully functioning broad knowledge in:
Mathematics, statistics, and data modeling principles
Data analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or advanced analytics projects
Data preparation, data pipelines, feature engineering, and data science programming concepts
Data visualization, storytelling, and presentation development using tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms
Programming languages such as Python, SQL, R, Java, or Scala
Generative AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, large language models (LLMs), or agentic AI concepts
Agile or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodologies
Solving ambiguous and complex problems through a systems thinking approach
Building relationships and trust across functional organizations
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

Work arrangement
Yes