Sr Artificial Intelligence Advisor

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:

Job Summary

• Partner with senior leadership to provide technical and strategic subject matter expertise on AI, including machine learning, optimization, generative AI, and agentic AI. Evaluates emerging AI capabilities and recommended adoption strategies, applies concepts to support team members on identifying, developing, and deploying innovative AI products, and collaborates with Architecture teams to develop standards and reference architectures along with supporting Application teams in AI adoption and modernization efforts.

Additional details

• This role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require travel for training, 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 a limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work. Those ineligible locations are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico. 
• 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. 

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert on analytic modeling, data science, traditional machine learning artificial intelligence, optimization, generative artificial intelligence, or agentic artificial intelligence advancements, methodologies, and tool including staying abreast of business needs, industry trends and field advancements
• Oversee the development and maintenance of a strategy and overall roadmap plan for traditional machine learning artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and agentic artificial intelligence along with Sr. Leadership which includes direction, productivity, and enterprise outcomes
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive artificial intelligence platform strategy through detailed business, technical, and architectural assessments with partners across Technology related to key platform enablers for traditional machine learning artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and agentic artificial intelligence—evaluating the benefits and drawbacks to current platform capabilities
• Identify and influence the organization on the capabilities needed within the Southwest environment to enable the overall artificial intelligence strategy and the artificial intelligence platform strategy, including migration strategies for existing code assets and products as well as workforce strategies to ensure we can deliver future-state products
• Foster relationships with executives and business leaders across the Company to drive awareness of the value artificial intelligence can create and to fine-tune artificial intelligence strategy—ensuring it remains in lockstep with existing business/technology initiatives while also pushing the boundaries of innovation
• Communicate complex technical concepts through clear, actionable insights and recommendations to executive stakeholders, translating technical analyses into business value and risk assessments
• Consult and advise high-performing teams working with business customers to understand contextual problems quickly and define, analyze, and deliver innovative solutions that address business needs and support the company’s strategic priorities
• Mentor employees in subject matter expertise and knowledge transfer
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of computer or network systems hardware and software theory, practice, concepts and technology relevant to organizational vision
• Expert knowledge of data science, traditional machine learning artificial intelligence, optimization, generative artificial intelligence, and agentic artificial intelligence theory, practices, product development methodologies, and tools
• Expert knowledge of multiple cloud-based IaaS, PaaS commercial artificial intelligence, data, and analytics platforms including Amazon Web Services
• Ability to assess impact of applied artificial intelligence and technology on multiple business and Customer processes and recommend strategic planning for enterprise structure
• Ability to recommend or set strategic direction and influence at the department and enterprise to accomplish goals and objectives of that strategy
• Ability to assume a high level of responsibility and to provide direction in a cross-functional, team-oriented environment
• Ability to work with diverse teams—including technical, business, and external partners—to translate business process into artificial intelligence and technology strategy to drive innovation that builds capabilities
• Ability to educate workforce in strategic use of artificial intelligence technology (engineering, operations, multi-platform application development, etc.)
• Skilled in defining organizational structures to support innovative artificial intelligence initiatives while aligning to broader business objectives
• Skilled in excellent partnering, negotiation, oral communication and presentation delivery when facilitating discussions at the Executive level

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Required: Innovator level experience, highest level of knowledge in:
  • Business, Information Technology, and/or Artificial Intelligence environment, related to Departmental functions
  • Multiple technology and/or artificial intelligence areas and broad system-level experience across multiple computing platforms and technologies

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 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 $180,350 - $200,400 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 Retirement Savings Plan 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.
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