Associate Software Engineer - Direct College Hire

swa; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Airlines is recruiting for Associate Software Engineer roles in its Technology Department as part of the Direct College Hire program. The program offers hands-on experience, mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities for recent graduates with up to two years of experience.

Selected candidates will design, develop, test, and support scalable software solutions across cloud platforms while learning from experienced engineers in an Agile environment.

Qualifications

• Associate Software Engineer role requires recent college graduates or up to two years of professional experience.
• Experience in an Agile environment is implied by the program description.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and support technology solutions powering critical business functions.
• Collaborate with Technology and business teams to deliver scalable applications, APIs, and cloud-based platforms.

Job description

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

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 Software Engineer joining our Direct College Hire program, you'll design, develop, test, and support technology solutions that power critical business functions across Southwest Airlines. Working in a collaborative Agile environment, you'll contribute to the delivery of scalable applications, APIs, cloud‑based platforms, and digital experiences while learning from experienced engineers and building your technical expertise. You'll partner with Team Members across Technology and the business to solve real‑world challenges, support innovative solutions, and help deliver reliable technology that keeps Southwest running. Whether supporting Customer‑facing products, operational systems, AI platforms, workforce solutions, or corporate applications, you'll have opportunities to grow your skills, make meaningful contributions, and create an impact from day one.

We're hiring multiple Associate Software Engineer roles in the Technology Department. Selected Candidates will support one of the following Teams:

• Air Operations - Crew Portfolio

  Offers opportunities to support one of two Teams within the Crew Portfolio. The Crew Certification Team focuses on ensuring the reliability, quality, and performance of applications that support Southwest Crew Members through test automation, quality engineering, and modernization initiatives. The Crew Recovery Team supports technology solutions used during operational disruptions, leveraging cloud-based applications, automation frameworks, AI-enabled tools, and modern software delivery practices to help keep airline operations running smoothly.

• Air Operations - Customer and Commercial (Network Planning)

  The Customer & Commercial Team develops and supports the applications that power Southwest's network planning and flight scheduling capabilities, providing the foundation for selling tickets and operating flights across the airline. Using modern cloud technologies and engineering practices, the Team is transforming critical scheduling systems and building new capabilities that directly impact airline operations and the travel experience of millions of Customers.

• Digital & Customer - Southwest Business

  Supports the cloud-native platform that powers Southwest's New Distribution Capability (NDC) channel, enabling shopping, pricing, and order management for travel agencies and partners. Team Members contribute to modern airline retailing initiatives while gaining experience with cloud engineering, serverless AWS technologies, automation, CI/CD pipelines, and enterprise-scale software development in a collaborative Agile environment.

• Digital & Customer - Customer and Commercial

  The Customer & Commercial Team develops and supports the backend APIs and integration services that power Southwest's iOS and Android applications, enabling mobile experiences to seamlessly interact with core business systems. As part of the Native API Pod, the Team supports product initiatives across Digital Platforms and builds scalable solutions that serve more than 35 million Customers. Using modern cloud technologies and engineering practices, the Team contributes to major digital transformations such as Assigned Seating, Native App Modernization, and Trip Insurance while collaborating across Digital Platforms, Digital Experience, and Marketing to deliver innovative Customer‑focused solutions.

• People & Finance - Workforce Management Solutions

  The Workforce Management Solutions Team develops and supports scheduling, timekeepin