Technical Standards Consultant

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:

As a Technical Standards Consultant in Technical Operations, you'll lead process improvement and compliance initiatives that strengthen the safety, reliability, and efficiency of Southwest Airlines' maintenance programs. Acting as a subject matter expert, you'll collaborate across Planning, Engineering, Quality Control, and Maintenance Teams to identify and resolve technical compliance issues, drive operational excellence, and implement sustainable solutions. With a strong grasp of regulatory requirements and deep Technical Operations expertise, your work ensures our aircraft maintenance standards remain best-in-class and support safe, compliant, and cost-effective operations across the Southwest network.

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 Headquarters facility 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.

Responsibilities

Responsible for identifying technical challenges that pose compliance risk or span multiple departments, leading multi-disciplinary efforts to define solutions, and setting clear standards for success. This includes not only facilitating discussions but also driving alignment, making informed recommendations, and ensuring adoption of standardized, comprehensive processes that strengthen compliance and efficiency

Conducts regulatory research, interprets guidance, and develops actionable strategies to help ensure Tech Ops maintains the highest levels of safety and compliance. The role does not stop at providing guidance but helps define the path forward and drives progress toward resolution

Lead multi-disciplinary workshops, create presentations, and clearly communicate recommendations to Leaders and Teams

Lead process improvement initiatives by facilitating meetings, creating presentations, communicating recommendations, and developing project plans and schedules to support implementation of process improvement initiatives; includes assessing operations, creating process maps, researching federal regulation and guidance, identifying opportunities for improvement, understanding appropriate methodologies, consulting with Subject Matter Experts, and proposing solutions for process improvement

Work with teams across Technical Operations, understand challenges, analyze problems, and establish specific standards required for an effective and compliant Operation

Research and understand federal regulations and guidance material

Review, understand, and provide feedback on FAA and DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

Manage multiple projects and tasks across shifting priorities to ensure team deliverables and Operational needs are attained

Evaluate technical processes, recognize deficiencies, and identify root cause as necessary

Bring alignment between organizations and drive towards a recommendation or solution

Serve as Subject Matter Expert to cross-departmental projects and work as a liaison with other departments and workgroups to ensure Tech Ops needs are met

Deliver analysis and solutions or recommendations that illustrate a clear understanding of the problem and the broader impact across Operational groups and the Company

Prepare memos, reports, and presentations using excellent verbal and written skills

Ability to meet any physical ability requirements listed in this description

May perform other job duties as directed by Employee Leaders

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The position requires a balance of technical proficiency, leadership skills, project management, and strategic thinking to deliver process improvements, champion regulatory compliance, and influence outcomes across the organization

Ability to be an effective communicator across varying levels of an organization

Ability to research and understand federal regulation and guidance

Familiarity with aircraft systems and their maintainability

Skilled in effectively communicating information and ideas in a concise and compelling storyline using all forms of communication, tailoring tone, style and content to the intended audience

Ability to understand internal/external Stakeholder requirements, expectations, and needs and incorporate them into process improvement projects

Ability to present in front of all levels of management and represent the department at cross-functional meetings

Interpret and understand technical documents, such as the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC), Wiring Diagram Manual (WDM), Engineering drawings and diagrams, Airworthiness Directives (AD), and Service Bulletins (SB)

Understand problems and inefficiencies in technical processes

Ability to reconcile multiple variables when making decisions

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Skilled in negotiation and conflict management; leading discussions with stakeholders from multiple backgrounds that may have conflicting priorities

Strong analytical, problem-solving abilities

Strong change management skills

Excellent communication and presentation skills to large audiences and Senior Leadership

Skilled in identifying problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions

Ability to work within regulatory constraints with a strategic mindset

Skilled in driving continuous improvement projects from concept to completion Education:

Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

Demonstrated experience in leading cross-functional process improvement initiatives and influencing compliance outcomes within a Part 121 air carrier environment

Advanced level experience, seasoned and specialized knowledge in:

Part 121 operations and regulatory compliance requirements

Process improvement methodologies, including analyzing technical challenges, developing solutions, and driving implementation

Aircraft Maintenance, Quality Control, and Engineering processes that support compliance and operational efficiency

Regulatory research and interpretation of FAA and DOT rules, guidance, and Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

Safety Management System (SMS) principles, including Safety Risk Management (SRM) and Risk Assessments (RA)

Project management, including developing project plans, facilitating workshops, and managing competing priorities

Technical process evaluation, identifying deficiencies, and performing root cause analysis

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

Must be able to travel as needed to accomplish project goals

Pay & Benefits:

Competitive market salary from $103,750 per year to $115,300 per year* depending on qualifications and experience, with opportunity for future pay increases based on performance and market movement. 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 Profit-sharing 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:

• Pay amount doesn't guarantee employment for any particular period

**401(k) match contributions are subject to the plan's vesting schedule and applicable IRS limits

***Profit-sharing contributions are subject to plan's vesting schedule and are made at the discretion of the Company

Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Job Posting End Date

10/27/2025