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Southwest Airlines

Managing Director Powerplant Program

Posted Yesterday
Be an Early Applicant
Dallas, TX
210K-234K Annually
Senior level
Dallas, TX
210K-234K Annually
Senior level
This role involves leading Powerplant Engineering Programs, ensuring engine quality, managing budgets, compliance, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
The summary above was generated by AI

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
  • Responsible for providing technical, functional and strategic leadership for Powerplant Engineering Programs. The Sr Director will serve as the single accountable point for contact for configuration control, quality, and cost of all Southwest Airlines fleet engine operations. Responsible to provide clear expectations, guidance, and coaching to all team members, and serve as an effective partner across Southwest in the pursuit of safe, reliable, low-cost operations

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. 

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.

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
  • Lead Engine Governance Committee, making tactical decisions on engine workscopes, supporting Engine purchase, sale, and lease decisions
  • Responsible for ensuring Tech Ops operates within Engine Maintenance Budget, typically $500M+ in annual spend
  • Serve as primary focal point between Southwest Airlines and the Engine Manufacturers for technical issues pertaining to Southwest's fleet
  • Ensure Southwest Powerplant Engineering uses industry leading practices to develop and substantiate repairs, ensuring airworthy engines at the lowest possible cost
  • Oversee Engineering specifications for powerplant configurations and powerplant maintenance program at Southwest Airlines, ensuring safe, compliant engines, and properly balancing cost and reliability
  • Responsible for compliance with engine supplier's contracts including quality, pricing, ongoing practices, and relationships
  • Support the Southwest Airlines Technical Operations department in performing cost benefit and financial analyses for engine contracts
  • Represent Technical Operations during negotiation of Engine Maintenance Contracts, in support of Fleet Transactions and Supply Chain Management. Ensure the specification and execution of engine maintenance within Tech Ops is in accordance with contractual requirements
  • Ensure that all work performed on Southwest powerplants is performed to Southwest Airlines quality standards
  • Oversee development and maintenance of models to accurately forecast engine maintenance demand to support Technical Operations strategic planning and budgeting
  • Prepare and manage Budget and Budget Variance reporting to Finance, Technical Operations Leadership, and other stakeholders
  • Serves as Point of Contact for Southwest’s FAA Certificate Management Office (CMO), as well as the FAA Engine Certification Office (ECO) for technical issues related to Engines
  • Establish and monitor Team-based metrics to demonstrate effectiveness of Powerplant Programs Teams
  • 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
  • Ability to develop a strategic vision and communicate that vision clearly
  • Ability to be highly responsive and adaptable to efficiently manage quick-turn, tactical projects, as well as long-term transformational projects with the ability to effectively lead change and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Ability to communicate large and complex issues in a structured and concise manner, with the ability to develop executive level/board of director level communication and material including power point presentations and analysis
  • Ability to be a committed and passionate Leader of People, demonstrating strong communication skills, with the ability to motivate others
  • Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and inspire Teams to achieve targeted results
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical documents, financial data/reports, and operational data to establish Key Performance Indicators
  • Ability to translate business and technology requirements into business process requirements
  • Ability to comprehend, analyze, and evaluate situations, organizations, contracts, and systems in order to recommend modifications and improvements
  • Thorough knowledge of organizational principles, management, and Leadership
Education
  • Required: High School Diploma or GED
  • Required: Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management, Engineering, Business Administration or other similar areas
Experience
  • Demonstrated experience in directly or indirectly leading team(s)
  • Advanced level Business Acumen in functional area
  • Seasoned and specialized knowledge in:
    • Driving complex cross-functional initiatives and aligning stakeholders at all levels
    • Breaking down and solving ambiguous problems through quantitative and qualitative analysis
    • Developing strategies, plans, and decisions, and communicating them to executive leadership
    • Aerospace OEM, MRO, Technical Operations, Airline Operations, Planning or Strategy-related experience
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 have the ability to properly manage highly sensitive and confidential information

Pay & Benefits:

Competitive market salary from $210,400 per year to $233,800 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.
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Top Skills

Aviation Management
Business Administration
Engineering

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