Department:
Network PlanningOur 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:
Ready to build the tools that help shape Southwest’s future network and schedule decisions? As a Network Planning Developer, you will partner with Network Planning, Data Science, and Technology Teams to design, develop, and support cloud-based applications, automation solutions, and data products that drive airline planning decisions. You will create scalable, user-focused tools that support forecasting, scenario modeling, optimization, and decision-making across the network, schedule, and fleet planning functions. In this role, you will combine software engineering expertise with business insight to deliver reliable, high-performing solutions that enhance efficiency, improve analytical capabilities, and support continuous innovation. Your work will directly influence how Southwest plans its network, allocates resources, and positions the airline for long-term success.
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.
- Partner directly with Network Planning business users to design, build, and enhance applications/tools supporting scheduling, route planning, and optimization
- Own and maintain applications and data products end-to-end, including ongoing enhancements and performance improvements
- Translate business workflows into scalable technical solutions including dashboards, automation tools, and internal applications
- Design, develop, test, and maintain cloud-native applications and data systemsS
- Build and manage AWS data pipelines (S3, Glue, Redshift, Step Functions) for planning and forecasting
- Enable seamless integration across NP systems such as SkyWORKS, SSIM, and PDD outputs
- Support the full scheduling lifecycle including creation, validation, and distribution
- Automate regression testing, validation, and release processes to improve quality and reduce manual effort
- Leverage AI/GenAI tools (Copilot, agentic workflows) to enhance productivity and decision-making
- Collaborate across NP, Data Science, and Technology teams to align on business priorities
- Serve as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders
- Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize production systems
- Document systems and identify opportunities to improve performance and efficiency
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders
- Ability to make decisions in an ambiguous environment
- Ability to lead projects and serve as a subject matter expert
- Ability to train and lead junior team members on tools, processes and techniques
- Intermediate experience in software engineering and system development
- Proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, SQL)
- Experience working with modern development practices (Agile, CI/CD)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret data, draw implications and modify approach required
- Ability to clearly communicate meaning of complex principles and processes to all audiences both verbally and in writing
- Ability to communicate accurately and concisely both orally and written in English
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
- Advanced level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
- SQL, Tableau, machine learning basics, or cloud analytics.
- Python for data processing, automation, and analytical workflows, including building reusable scripts to support production analytics.
- Handling multiple concurrent projects and prioritizing accordingly
- Preferred: Experienced Cloud Developer with hands-on experience implementing DevOps practices.
- N/A
- Ability to perform work duties from [limited space work station/desk/office area] for extended periods of time
- Ability to use a computer with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job
- Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
- 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
Pay & Benefits:
Competitive market salary from $114,200 per year to $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: 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.
Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Skills Required
- High school diploma or GED
- U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the United States
- At least 18 years of age
- Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Python, Java, or SQL
- Intermediate experience in software engineering and system development
- Experience with modern development practices, including Agile and CI/CD
- Advanced, seasoned, and specialized knowledge of SQL, Tableau, machine learning basics, or cloud analytics
- Advanced Python experience for data processing, automation, and analytical workflows
- Experience handling multiple concurrent projects and prioritizing accordingly
- Effective communication with technical and business stakeholders
- Ability to make decisions in ambiguous environments
- Ability to lead projects and serve as a subject matter expert
- Ability to train and lead junior team members
- Ability to communicate accurately and concisely in written and spoken English
- Ability to comply with company attendance standards
- Experienced cloud developer with hands-on DevOps implementation experience
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.
