Fleet Chief

Department:

Technical Operations

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:

Job Summary

• Acts as the primary focal point for all new or proposed changes to the configuration or Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP) of Southwest Airlines fleet in support of Southwest's internal and external departments where they will evaluate the technical merits, validity, and relative priority of these changes. Maintains responsibility to coordinate changes with all affected departments and ensures timely delivery to support Southwest's operational reliability. Provides Leadership and guidance to the Fleet Management Team who supports the Technical Operations Department by having overall responsibility for the assigned fleet performance, reliability and fleet program changes.

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.  

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to look for opportunities to reflect the communities we serve, and welcome applicants with diverse thoughts, backgrounds, and experiences.  

Model the Southwest Way

• Guide and lead Team Members using SWA talent management practices to coach, develop, and engage Employees
• Adhere to Company values and competencies to foster a Culture of inclusion, recognition, and support of a safe work environment
• Invest in Leadership and self-growth through participating in continuous learning and development

Responsibilities

• Provide Senior Leadership information and recommendations for all fleet issues, opportunities, strategy, initiatives and prioritization
• Provide supervision and Leadership to the Fleet Managers
• Act as technical oversight and interface to all SWA internal/external departments for aircraft performance and program changes
• Monitor industry for technical changes that may improve or impact the aircrafts' performance or SWA operations
• Collaborate with industry technical Leaders to drive improvements in aircraft design, performance and configuration
• Guide the organization to ensure the metrics used are effectively measuring technical changes, which impact performance of the aircraft and Customer Service
• Drive changes that create value, reduce cost and improve Customer Service
• Monitor and drive positive change using benchmarks against Boeing and industry standards
• Analyze effectiveness of proposed and implemented modifications
• Provide supervision and Leadership to the Fleet Managers
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee’s Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Southwest maintenance program, or have relevant knowledge of maintenance programs in general through experience at another airline
• Knowledge of FAA requirements
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, Leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of People and resources
• Skilled in reading and interpreting complex technical manuals, diagrams and schematics
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite programs, and able to quickly learn and be comfortable with other software programs used to support Tech Ops
• Skilled in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment with multiple tasks and tight time constraints
• Ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity)

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and/or similar Technical degree in an Aviation related discipline