Optimization Modeling Engineer

Compunnel, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Compunnel, Inc. is seeking an Optimization Modeling Engineer to join our Network Planning and Optimization team in Chicago.

The role focuses on developing and maintaining advanced optimization models and C++ applications to support airline planning and operations. You will design linear programming models, integrate with IBM CPLEX, work on Linux and cloud environments, and translate business requirements into scalable decision-support tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience developing and implementing optimization models and algorithms.
• Strong background in linear optimization, mathematical programming, or operations research.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a solid mathematical foundation.
• Experience working in Linux environments.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance optimization models supporting airline operations and network planning.
• Design and implement linear optimization and mathematical programming models to solve complex business problems.
• Build and support production-grade applications primarily using C++.
• Integrate optimization models with IBM CPLEX and other optimization solvers.
• Analyze large datasets and translate business requirements into quantitative models and decision-support tools.
• Support and maintain applications hosted in Linux and cloud-based environments.
• Collaborate with operations research professionals, software engineers, and business stakeholders to deliver optimization solutions.
• Contribute to modernization initiatives, including evaluating and adopting emerging technologies such as Julia.
• Troubleshoot, enhance, and optimize existing modeling applications to improve performance and scalability.

Skills

C++ development

Linear optimization

Operations Research

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

Tools

IBM CPLEX

Linux

Julia

Cloud computing

Job description

We are seeking an Optimization Modeling Engineer to join the Network Planning and Optimization team. This role is responsible for developing, maintaining, and supporting advanced optimization models and software applications that drive critical airline planning and operational decisions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operations research, mathematical optimization, and C++ software development, with the ability to build scalable solutions that improve aircraft utilization, route planning, scheduling, and overall operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and enhance optimization models supporting airline operations and network planning.
• Design and implement linear optimization and mathematical programming models to solve complex business problems.
• Build and support production-grade applications primarily using C++.
• Integrate optimization models with IBM CPLEX and other optimization solvers.
• Analyze large datasets and translate business requirements into quantitative models and decision-support tools.
• Support and maintain applications hosted in Linux and cloud-based environments.
• Collaborate with operations research professionals, software engineers, and business stakeholders to deliver optimization solutions.
• Contribute to modernization initiatives, including evaluating and adopting emerging technologies such as Julia.
• Troubleshoot, enhance, and optimize existing modeling applications to improve performance and scalability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience developing and implementing optimization models and algorithms.
• Strong background in linear optimization, mathematical programming, or operations research.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with a solid mathematical foundation.
• Experience working in Linux environments.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with IBM CPLEX optimization software.
• Experience developing decision‑support or optimization applications in the airline, transportation, logistics, supply chain, or related industries.
• Exposure to cloud‑based computing environments.
• Familiarity with Julia or other modern scientific computing languages.
• Master's or PhD in Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, or a related quantitative field.

Primary Skills

• C++ development (highest priority technical skill).
• Linear optimization and Operations Research.