Senior Operations Research Developer

swa; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Airlines is seeking a Senior Operations Research Developer for the Network Optimization Team. You will translate operational requirements into scalable models and code, impacting flight operations, crew planning, and passenger movement.

The role blends analytics, software development, and stakeholder collaboration. Remote position with some travel for trainings; extensive modeling, testing, and documentation are expected.

Qualifications

• Expert-level knowledge of Operations Research methods in a business environment.
• Experience with LP/IP tools such as Xpress or CPLEX.
• Ability to develop mathematical models from business requirements.
• Strong communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop mathematical models based on business requirements
• Develop solution strategies to solve models developed
• Develop code to implement solution strategies
• Prepare technical documentation of models and solution strategies
• Lead reviews of models, solution strategies, and code with the Team to leverage its collective experience
• Test applications to insure they perform as expected, and solve the correct problem
• Lead reviews of solutions with business Customers to ensure that they are acceptable
• Calibrate the model or solution strategy as needed
• Work effectively with the rest of the Team, business Customers, Technology development Teams, and support groups
• Provide support for developed applications as needed. Create enhancements, or recalibrate as the business problem changes
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to other less-experienced Team members
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Skills

Optimization

Operations Research

C/C++

AWS

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Xpress

CPLEX

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:

As a Senior Operations Research Developer for the Network Optimization Team, you'll play a pivotal role in translating operational requirements into technical solutions. This position offers exciting challenges, as the Optimization Teams directly impact the efficiency of thousands of daily flights across hundreds of aircraft, thousands of crew members, and hundreds of thousands of passengers. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of airline operations, including aircraft operations, crew planning, crew recovery, passenger movement, airport operations, and maintenance, expanding your understanding of the airline industry.

Additional Details

This role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require travel for trainings, meetings, conferences, etc. Outside of those required visits, the majority of your working time may be spent in a remote location, away from our Corporate Campus. Please note, while this is a remote position, there is limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work off-site. Those ineligible locations are: Alaska, Delaware, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.

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

• Develop mathematical models based on business requirements
• Develop solution strategies to solve models developed
• Develop code to implement solution strategies
• Prepare technical documentation of models and solution strategies
• Lead reviews of models, solution strategies, and code with the Team to leverage its collective experience
• Test applications to insure they perform as expected, and solve the correct problem
• Lead reviews of solutions with business Customers to ensure that they are acceptable
• Calibrate the model or solution strategy as needed
• Work effectively with the rest of the Team, business Customers, Technology development Teams, and support groups
• Provide support for developed applications as needed. Create enhancements, or recalibrate as the business problem changes
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentoring to other less-experienced Team members
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of standard programming languages, and associated development tools (compilers, debuggers, etc)
• Knowledge of software development, practice, concepts, and technology obtained through college degree program, formal training and/or work experience
• Skilled in demonstrating a high-level of optimization aptitude and ability for logical and abstract thinking
• Skilled in partnering, communication, and negotiating as to interact effectively with business Customers and technology development and support groups
• Ability to complete root-cause analysis, design complex solutions, write code, perform testing, provide documentation, and implement optimization projects
• Ability to analyze and resolve complex problems
• Ability to work effectively in a strong Customer service/team oriented environment
• Ability to work independently where appropriate
• Ability to contribute thoughts and ideas on other active projects across the Team
• Preferred: Foundational knowledge of AWS or other cloud infrastructure
• Preferred: Foundational knowledge of Linux based development
• Preferred: Preferred prior experience applying optimization methods in an airline environment
• Preferred: Experience or familiarity with Scaled Agile for Enterprise (SAFe) Framework

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information systems or similar fields of study or equivalent advanced level experience

Experience

• Expert level experience, expansive and far reaching knowledge in:
• Applying Operations Research methods in a business environment or a PhD with lesser business experience accepted
• Using Xpress, CPLEX, or other industrial-strength LP/IP tools

Licensing/Certification

N/A

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