Jobs and Careers
SO

Associate Data Engineer - Direct College Hire

Southwest Airlines
TX-Headquarters-HDQ, United States, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 9 Jan 2026
💰 $99,400/yr($89,450/yr$99,400/yr)

About the role

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 recent college graduates and individuals who are early in their technology careers to begin their professional growth journey. Through this program, we aim to help you develop lasting relationships while creating a meaningful career through on-the-job mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities. Candidates will be selected to join one of the following Teams:

  • Artificial Intelligence: As an Associate Data Engineer supporting the Artificial Intelligence Team at Southwest Airlines, you’ll build and transform data to power AI models that deliver predictive insights and automation for ground operations. This role focuses on preparing streaming and structured data for AI, leveraging cloud technologies, and collaborating with business partners to create impactful solutions.  ​

    • Preferred: Proficient in cloud technologies, including AWS (Lambda, S3, EMR, SageMaker) and Microsoft Azure, and SQL for data management and analysis.

  • Data & Architecture: As an Associate Data Engineer on the Data & Architecture Team at Southwest Airlines, you’ll create reliable, secure and performant data pipelines that ingest, store and provide data in a variety of ways to business and technology Customers across the enterprise. In this role, you can expect to work on back-end development to ensure vital data can be retrieved and delivered to enterprise Customers.  

    • Preferred: Experience with ETL development and tools, including Ab Initio and AWS Glue.

    • Preferred: Knowledge of AWS services such as S3, Glue, Lambda, VPC, API Gateway, EC2, EMR, CloudWatch, and AWS Q Developer.

    • Preferred: Proficiency in Java, Python, and SQL, with experience using GitLab for version control.

    • Preferred: Familiarity with Terraform for infrastructure automation and deployment.

Additional Details

  • This Dallas-based role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require onsite presence/travel for training, meetings, conferences, etc. Outside of those required visits, the majority of your working time may be spent in an approved remote location within the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Applicants must reside in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by their first day of employment. Relocation assistance is not provided for this position. 

  • U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. required and no current or future work authorization sponsorship available.

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

  • Monitor and maintain the components of our data engineering pipeline, and various container-based services configured through UIs, SQL, PL/SQL, Python, and Shell, with code managed in GitHub, deployed through Jenkins
  • Work as a part of our production support team to ensure the highest standards of product configuration that meet client requirements
  • Test and troubleshoot data pipeline using sample and live client data, utilizing Jenkins, Python, and Java to automate these tests. Must be able to parse logs to determine next actions
  • Utilize dashboards for Kubernetes/OpenShift to diagnose high level issues and ensure services are healthy
  • Support Implementation immediately after go live and work with implementation team to transition support
  • Work with data providers to clarify requirements and remove roadblocks
  • Drive automation into everyday activities
  • May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and s

Apply for this role

Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.

Apply Now →Generate Application Kit

Free account required — sign up in 30s

Company

Southwest Airlines

View company profile →