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
- Leads a team of Engineers and Specialists responsible for managing aircraft configuration in Maintenix and updating the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC), while also providing 24/7 configuration control support to meet operational needs. Ensures accurate implementation of configuration changes from Boeing and Southwest-initiated changes, including initial configuration loads for new aircraft deliveries. Serves as the technical focal for configuration management, providing guidance and expertise to Engineering and other Southwest Teams.
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 Maintenance Tech Ops Building 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.
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.
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
- Provides vision and leadership for a team of engineers and specialists, ensuring alignment with Southwest's strategic goals and fostering a culture of trust, accountability, and technical excellence.
- Invests in the growth and development of team members through coaching, mentorship, and meaningful feedback to build a strong bench of future leaders.
- Creates an environment where team members are empowered to innovate, take ownership of their work, and collaborate effectively across organizational boundaries.
- Provides clear direction and oversight to ensure team deliverables meet scope, accuracy, compliance, and operational needs while balancing priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Serves as the primary technical advisor and strategic partner on configuration management across Engineering and other Southwest Teams, ensuring the team's expertise is leveraged effectively.
- Represents Southwest Airlines at industry technical conferences, working groups, and key external forums to influence and align on best practices.
- Drives process discipline and ensures compliance with aircraft configuration control requirements, including accurate part specifications and data management within Maintenix.
- Champions change and continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
- Establishes and tracks key performance metrics to evaluate effectiveness, prioritize improvements, and build strong business cases for process enhancements.
- Conducts performance reviews and creates individual development plans to strengthen both team capabilities and organizational effectiveness.
- Fulfills additional responsibilities as assigned to support operational and strategic objectives.
- Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed on this description
- May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Deep understanding of aircraft maintenance, engineering practices, regulatory requirements, and the materials and processes used in commercial aviation.
- Proven ability to earn and maintain the confidence and trust of executive leadership through sound judgment and professionalism.
- Demonstrates the highest level of integrity in managing confidential and sensitive information.
- Brings an ownership mindset, balancing strategic vision with hands-on leadership in a collaborative, cross-functional environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate complex challenges and deliver practical, effective solutions.
- Highly self-motivated and able to operate effectively with minimal guidance, even in situations with limited or ambiguous information.
- Exceptional communicator, able to engage and influence at all levels of the organization, including executive leadership, through clear, concise, and thoughtful interactions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams) with the ability to leverage these platforms for effective reporting and collaboration.
- Skilled at building high-performing teams, fostering collaboration, and driving alignment across diverse groups.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead through influence and build enduring relationships across the organization and industry.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams, etc.)
Education
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
- Fully functioning, broad knowledge in:
- Interpreting technical documents and industry standards that affect the baseline configuration of an aircraft
- Managing and maintaining configuration data within enterprise systems such as Maintenix or equivalent platforms
- Aircraft configuration management principles, practices, and regulatory requirements
- Regulatory requirements governing aircraft modifications, alterations, and continued airworthiness
- Type design, type certification, and continued airworthiness requirements within configuration management processes
- Engineering processes and procedures related to defining and maintaining the aircraft configuration
Licensing/Certification
- Must be able to obtain a SIDA badge and meet local airport security requirements
Physical Abilities
- Ability to access all areas of aircraft where inspections, alterations, and repairs are being conducted
- 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 tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job
Other Qualifications
- Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
- Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
- Can expect up to 25% travel with decreased or increased levels based on department need
Education:
- Required: High School Diploma or GED
- Required: Bachelors Degree
Experience
- Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
- Fully functioning, broad knowledge in:
- Statistical analysis, leveraging algorithms or models, and data visualization techniques
- Data aggregation, analysis, reporting and forecasting using data-oriented programming languages (such as Python or R) and visualization software (such as Tableau or R Studio)
- Utilizing analytical platforms (such as Alteryx, SQL, Tableau, R Studio)
Licensing/Certification
- Must be able to obtain and maintain SIDA badge and meet all necessary requirements
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 tools with sufficient speed and accuracy to meet the demands of the job
Other Qualifications
- Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per Company appearance standards as described in established guidelines
- Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must be able to comply with Company attendance standards as described in established guidelines
Pay & Benefits: Competitive market salary from $ $155,900 per year to $173,200 per year* depending on qualifications and experience. For eligible Leadership and individual contributor roles, additional bonus opportunities are available and awarded at the discretion of the company.
Benefits you'll love:
- Fly for free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights (your eligible dependents too)
- Southwest will help fund your 401(k) retirement savings with Company contributions up to 9.3% of your eligible earnings**
- Potential for annual ProfitSharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan- when Southwest profits, you profit***
- Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents (including pets)
- Southwest offers health plan coverage options that start from the very first day of employment. You will have 30 days to select and enroll in your health plan with coverage retroactively available to your first day of employment.
- Explore more Benefits you'll love: https://careers.southwestair.com/benefits
*Pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period of time. **401(k) match contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits ***ProfitSharing contributions are subject to Retirement Savings Plan vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company. Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please print/save this job description because it won't be available after you apply.
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