Associate Software Engineer - Direct College Hire

Southwest Airlines • Dallas, TX

2d • Remote

About The Position

Our Technology Direct College Hire Program is a pathway for early-career technology professionals with up to two years of professional experience, including recent college graduates ready to begin the next chapter of their careers. Through this program you’ll receive hands-on experience, mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities, you'll build meaningful connections, strengthen your technical skills, and gain the experience needed for long-term success. We're currently hiring for cohorts beginning in January, June, and August 2027. As an Associate Software Engineer joining our Direct College Hire program, you'll design, develop, test, and support technology solutions that power critical business functions across Southwest Airlines. Working in a collaborative Agile environment, you'll contribute to the delivery of scalable applications, APIs, cloud-based platforms, and digital experiences while learning from experienced engineers and building your technical expertise. You'll partner with Team Members across Technology and the business to solve real-world challenges, support innovative solutions, and help deliver reliable technology that keeps Southwest running. Whether supporting Customer-facing products, operational systems, AI platforms, workforce solutions, or corporate applications, you'll have opportunities to grow your skills, make meaningful contributions, and create an impact from day one. We’re hiring multiple Associate Software Engineer roles in the Technology Department. Selected Candidates will support one of the following Teams: Air Operations – Crew Portfolio, Air Operations - Customer and Commercial (Network Planning), Digital & Customer - Southwest Business, Digital & Customer - Customer and Commercial, People & Finance - Workforce Management Solutions, People & Finance - Corporate Facilities, Legal & Government Affairs, Intelligence Platforms - Customer CARE (Payroll and Leave), Intelligence Platforms - AI Common Platform, Intelligence Platforms - Customer360, Tech & Ground Ops - Ops Suite GO (Ground Operations), Tech & Ground Ops - Emergency Response.

Requirements

• Proficient knowledge of software development methodologies, practices, concepts, and technologies
• Ability to apply knowledge and skills of software development and testing to solve a range of problems
• Proficient knowledge of at least one required programming language
• Ability to communicate and negotiate with various Technology or partner Teams
• Ability to analyze large, complex, and vague Business or technical problems, articulating the problem or root cause, and translating the analysis into viable solution recommendations
• Ability to take on multiple assignments, whether administrative or project related, while maintaining a successful level of completion in all responsible work
• Ability to develop, present and effectively communicate ideas and strategies to a variety of audiences
• High School Diploma or GED
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or related field; or equivalent formal training
• Entry level experience, developing skills and knowledge in software engineering
• 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
• Must be able to travel and / or attend Company and non-Company facilities and remote locations such as remote-based offices as necessary

Nice To Haves

• Intermediate level experience, fully functioning broad knowledge in: Data structures, algorithms, debugging, testing, and object-oriented design principles
• Programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, C#, Node.js, or similar object-oriented programming languages
• AWS cloud services and concepts, including Lambda, S3, Fargate, DynamoDB, EventBridge, ECS, Kinesis, and SQS
• Generative AI concepts and foundational understanding
• API development, integration, and service-oriented architectures (RESTful services and microservices)
• Agile or Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) methodologies
• Applying systems thinking to solve complex and ambiguous business or technical challenges
• Building strong relationships and establishing trust across cross-functional teams and stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge and skills of software development and testing to solve a range of problems
• Leverage knowledge to inform technical and non-technical requirements to apply to Business domain fundamentals
• Maintain understanding of current technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups
• Troubleshoot program and system malfunctions to restore normal functioning across environments, including production
• Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, and meets industry standards
• Analyze user needs and software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints
• Contribute to Team-level technical discussion and decisions and identify opportunities for Team improvement
• Follow agile delivery processes to drive work and has a sense of urgency about getting work completed
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level