Cybersecurity Engineer - Cybersecurity Aircraft Team

Southwest Airlines • Dallas, TX

1d • $119,900 - $133,200 • Remote

About The Position

The Cybersecurity Engineer on the Cybersecurity Aircraft Team helps protect aircraft systems and aviation technologies that support Southwest’s safe, reliable operation. The role builds, tests, and supports cybersecurity solutions, provides security guidance, investigates vulnerabilities and system issues, performs hands-on testing, and implements improvements to strengthen the security and resilience of the aircraft ecosystem.

The Engineer partners with Engineering, Flight Operations, Technical Operations, Enterprise Cybersecurity, aircraft manufacturers, regulators, and industry organizations to identify and address cyber risks in a safety-critical environment. The role also supports the development of the aircraft cybersecurity program, continued airworthiness, and regulatory readiness, including collaboration with the FAA, manufacturers, and industry peers.

This is a remote workplace position that may require travel for training, meetings, conferences, and other necessary visits. Employees may not regularly work remotely from the listed ineligible states or Puerto Rico. U.S. citizenship or current U.S. work authorization is required; work authorization sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a similar field, or equivalent advanced-level experience.
• Intermediate-level experience and fully functioning broad knowledge in developing, implementing, or integrating technologies for Enterprise security.
• Knowledge of Agile best practices.
• Knowledge of at least one value-pipeline element, such as PingFederate, eDirectory, Active Directory, CyberArk, or Micro Focus IDM.
• Knowledge of at least one scripting and development language, such as Python, Go, or JavaScript.
• Skill in at least one cloud computing technology and its concepts, such as AWS.
• Skill in infrastructure-as-code development (Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar) and automated configuration management using configuration-as-code development (Chef, Puppet, Ansible, or similar).
• Skill in implementing Cybersecurity-specific unit tests for elements.
• Skill with performance, logging, and Cybersecurity monitoring tools.
• Ability to deliver valuable software and reason about it.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, organization, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to perform work duties from a limited-space workstation, desk, or office area for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in English to meet job demands.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy.
• Must maintain a well-groomed appearance according to Company appearance standards.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must comply with Company attendance standards.
• Must be able to travel to or attend Company and non-Company facilities and remote locations as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Experience performing penetration testing, technical assessments, or vulnerability assessments for embedded devices, operational technology (OT), or safety-critical systems.
• Experience coordinating cybersecurity risk assessments, vulnerability management, and remediation activities.
• Experience with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), NIST 800-series publications, or similar cybersecurity risk management frameworks.
• Knowledge of aviation cybersecurity standards, including ARINC, RTCA, SAE, or related regulatory guidance.
• Experience supporting aviation cybersecurity programs and partnering with the FAA, manufacturers, or industry stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide security guidance to application and Partner Teams to remediate security vulnerabilities, risk items, and policy exceptions.
• Deliver training to clients on the use of key Cybersecurity systems and automated environments.
• Identify Cybersecurity problems, plan solutions, recommend software and systems, and coordinate development in an orderly manner to meet business requirements.
• Oversee immediate response and maintenance for production program issues.
• Partner with production testers to identify defects and complete testing.
• Test and implement system enhancements using techniques that preserve system integrity.
• Partner to maintain systems, manage escalation issues, and maintain regular functionality.
• Triage and research potential defects, complete repairs, and transition features to Business support.
• Maintain established procedures and standards to ensure high-quality and high-quantity work.
• Partner and lead communication within internal and cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
• Perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders.

Benefits

• Free travel on any open seat on Southwest flights for the employee and eligible dependents.
• Company contributions to the employee's 401(k) retirement savings of up to 9.3% of eligible earnings, subject to the plan's vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits.
• Potential annual ProfitSharing contribution to the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan, subject to the plan's vesting schedule and Company discretion.
• Competitive health insurance for the employee and eligible dependents, including pets, with coverage options available from the first day of employment.

What This Job Offers

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