Department:
Technical OperationsOur 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:
The Associate Technical Data Manager supports Technical Operations by creating, maintaining, and revising aircraft maintenance technical data that enables safe and compliant operations. They’ll partner with frontline Employees, Engineering, and Maintenance Teams to translate technical requirements into clear, executable work instructions while gaining experience with regulatory standards, OEM documentation, and maintenance procedures. They’ll support process improvements and innovative tools that enhance how maintenance information is created, managed, and delivered. The Associate Technical Data Manager leverages strong problem-solving, collaboration, and attention to detail to support aircraft reliability, Safety, and continuous improvement.
Additional Details
- The culture of Southwest Airlines means we value the camaraderie, collaboration, and innovation that occurs when we come together and interact face-to-face at our vibrant Corporate Campus. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from our Dallas, TX headquarters facility during business hours.
- 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
- Assist in preparing, formatting, and updating maintenance-related technical documentation
- Support the implementation of document change requests and OEM document revisions
- Help manage document change workflows, version control, and digital archives
- Participate in quality checks for clarity, formatting, and compliance with standards
- Interpret basic technical content with guidance and support
- Assist in integrating regulatory directives and OEM updates into technical data
- Learn and apply documentation tools, XML/SGML structures, and template use
- Maintain organized records and contribute to documentation audits
- Support Station visits, as required to, support Maintenance Programs
- Participate in training, team meetings, and document change improvement projects
- Collaborate with technical writers and engineers and other stakeholder to resolve content-related questions
- 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
- Foundational understanding of aircraft systems, technical documentation, and maintenance program structures.
- Foundational in interpreting regulatory, OEM documentation, and Engineering documents, such as but not limited to AMM, IPC, ADs, SBs, STCs, Engineering Orders, Design Drawings.
- Foundational in interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to lead, influence, collaborate, and adapt within cross-functional team environments; consistently effective under pressure and within proposed deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Detail-oriented with a willingness to follow established processes
- Basic technical comprehension and interest in technical documentation
- Familiarity with MS Office; exposure to XML/SGML tools is a plus
- Team-oriented with eagerness to learn and take initiative
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments
Education
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
Experience
- Entry-level experience, developing skills and knowledge in:
- Aircraft Maintenance, Maintenance Programs, Technical Data Management, and/or Technical Writing
- Preferred: Experience in Agile methodologies, including Sprints, Scrum Master, and Sprint Planning.
Licensing/Certification
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a SIDA badge and meet all local airport requirements
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 meet confidentiality expectations as to confidential, proprietary and sensitive Company information
Pay & Benefits:
Competitive market salary from $77,200 per year to $85,800 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, which includes a dollar for-dollar 401(k) Company match contribution of up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**
- Potential for annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan—when Southwest profits, you profit***
- Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents
- Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You'll have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan, and coverage will be 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.
**401(k) Company match contributions are subject to the plan’s vesting schedule. Match contributions may vary based on the position.
*** Profit-sharing contributions are subject to the Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company.
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Skills Required
- High school diploma or GED
- Entry-level experience or developing skills in aircraft maintenance, maintenance programs, technical data management, and/or technical writing
- Experience with Agile methodologies, including sprints, Scrum Master responsibilities, and sprint planning
- Ability to obtain and maintain a SIDA badge and meet all local airport requirements
- U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the United States
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Ability to work onsite at the Dallas, Texas headquarters during business hours
- Ability to meet stated physical, communication, attendance, appearance, and confidentiality requirements
Southwest Airlines Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Southwest Airlines and has not been reviewed or approved by Southwest Airlines.
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Pay Growth & Progression — Pay progression is described as materially improving after major 2024 union agreements, especially for pilots and flight attendants. Compensation satisfaction is framed as stronger over time as step scales and seniority accumulate.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support stands out through a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match and the presence of profit-sharing contributions that can add to retirement savings. Stock purchase access is also positioned as an additional ownership-oriented component of total rewards.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle value is elevated by extensive space-available travel privileges and broad travel-related discounts that can materially offset personal travel costs. Recognition mechanisms like points-based rewards are also positioned as an added lifestyle-oriented perk.
Southwest Airlines Insights
What We Do
At Southwest Airlines we connect People to what’s important in their lives—that also means connecting our Employees to what’s important in their lives! Our Employees value the opportunity to work hard, be creative, and have fun on the job. Southwest Airlines recognizes, respects, and values differences. By fostering a culture that embraces and utilizes our diversity, we create competitive advantages in teamwork and innovation that contribute to our overall success.









