Senior Business Analyst – Customer AI Automation

United Airlines; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 102,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

United Airlines is seeking a Senior Business Analyst for Customer AI Automation to advance Retail AI automation, transforming voice, chat, and future channels with scalable AI solutions. You will partner with Digital Technology, Commercial, and Customer Experience teams to translate business needs into practical AI flows and measurable outcomes.

The role requires 3+ years in business analysis or product management, expertise in customer service operations, and proficiency with data tools and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Admin, IT, CS, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in business analysis, product management, or related field.
• Experience mapping customer journeys and translating requirements into technical specs.
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts and automation technologies.
• Strong analytical, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design AI automation flows and voice/chat automation solutions aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate with AI engineers to ensure solutions meet requirements and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Define escalation logic and handoff protocols between AI and human agents.
• Bridge business stakeholders and technical teams to align solutions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support change management with training materials and adoption activities.

Skills

Business analysis

Customer service operations

Data analysis

Requirements gathering

Agile/Scrum

SQL

Excel

AI/ML concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Jira

ADO

LangChain

Tableau

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting‑edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions.

Job Overview and Responsibilities

The Senior Business Analyst, Customer AI Automation, is responsible for advancing United's Retail AI automation capabilities through effective design and implementation of our vision. This role focuses on transforming customer service across voice, chat, and future channels by building scalable AI solutions that deliver fast, effortless resolutions and eliminate wait times.

Our Vision

We are giving our people the backup they have always deserved, so that when a customer needs a human, they get our best one, not our most exhausted one. That is the United we are building: one where technology handles the volume and our people own the "moments that matter." This is where we stop competing on routes and prices and start competing on trust.

This role partners across Digital Technology, Commercial, Customer Experience, Customer Service & Advocacy, and AI Engineering teams to ensure AI automation strategies are practical, scalable, and aligned with business objectives and customer needs.

AI Strategy & Requirements Definition

• Partner with business stakeholders to define and prioritize customer retail intents and journeys suitable for AI automation.
• Translate business requirements into detailed functional specifications for AI agents, conversational flows, and voice automation solutions.
• Define success criteria, KPIs, and measurement frameworks for AI automation initiatives, including resolution rates, customer satisfaction, containment rates, and wait-time reduction.

Customer Journey & Process Analysis

• Analyze customer interactions across voice, chat, and digital channels to identify automation opportunities and pain points.
• Map current-state and future-state customer journeys, highlighting where AI can deliver the greatest impact.
• Assess contact center operations and identify high-volume, routine interactions that can be effectively automated while preserving quality.

AI Solution Design & Implementation Support

• Design conversational AI flows, voice automation workflows, and agentic solutions that align with customer needs and business goals.
• Collaborate with AI engineers and developers to ensure technical solutions meet business requirements and deliver measurable outcomes.
• Define escalation logic and handoff protocols to ensure seamless transitions between AI and human agents.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Alignment

• Serve as the bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Partner with Customer Service leadership to understand operational constraints, agent workflows, and service-level requirements.
• Work with Customer Experience teams to ensure AI solutions maintain United's brand voice and service standards.

Data Analysis & Performance Optimization

• Analyze AI performance data, customer feedback, and operational metrics to identify improvement opportunities.
• Conduct A/B testing and experimentation to optimise conversational flows, prompts, and automation logic.
• Track and report on AI automation KPIs, including containment rates, resolution accuracy, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency gains.

Change Management & Adoption

• Develop training materials, user guides, and documentation to support AI solution adoption.
• Support change management activities to ensure smooth rollout of AI automation capabilities.
• Gather feedback from agents, customers, and stakeholders to continuously refine and improve AI solutions.

Governance & Best Practices

• Ensure AI solutions adhere to responsible AI principles, security protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Document business processes, requirements, and solution designs to maintain institutional knowledge.
• Stay informed on AI industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies relevant to customer service automation.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Bachelor's degree required; Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related major preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in business analysis, product management, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of customer service operations, contact center workflows, and customer journey mapping.
• Experience gathering and documenting business requirements and translating them into technical specifications.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and derive actionable insights to drive business decisions.
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts, conversational AI, or automation technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate business needs into practical, scalable solutions.
• Experience working with cross‑functional partners across Technology, Operations, and Customer Experience to align solutions with business needs.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate requirements, insights, and recommendations to technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools and techniques, including Excel, SQL, and data visualization tools.
• Proficiency with Agile/Scrum methodologies and product development lifecycle tools, including Jira and ADO.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification.
• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Relevant certifications such as CBAP, PMI‑PBA, or Agile/Scrum certifications.
• Hands‑on experience with conversational AI platforms, chatbot design, or voice automation solutions.
• Experience with AI agent frameworks such as LangChain, LangGraph, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with contact center platforms, IVR systems, and customer service technology.
• Experience implementing or supporting AI/Generative AI solutions in customer‑facing environments.
• Knowledge of A/B testing methodologies, experimentation frameworks, and AI model evaluation.
• Understanding of responsible AI principles, AI governance, and bias mitigation strategies.
• Experience in the travel, retail, or e‑commerce industry.
• Proficiency with business intelligence tools, including Tableau and Power BI, and advanced analytics.
• Understanding of how AI automation and human agent capabilities align to deliver optimal customer experiences.

The base pay range for this role is $102,220.00 to $133,194.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job‑related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long‑term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]