AI Consultant

AI Consultant at Southwest Airlines

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

The AI Consultant supports business stakeholders and delivery Teams in shaping and delivering AI, ML, Generative AI, and Agentic AI solutions that address meaningful business needs. You will define product vision, scope, and roadmap, translating business requirements into clear, actionable work for development Teams, and coordinating execution across business and technology groups. This role supports data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and optimization, leading the end‑to‑end lifecycle of AI products, from opportunity identification and scoping through valuation and delivery. The AI Consultant is a skilled communicator and collaborator ready to guide the development of reliable, scalable AI solutions that support Southwest’s innovation, efficiency, and long‑term strategic success.

Responsibilities

• Works on moderate to complex data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization projects, collaborating with customers and colleagues to define, analyze, and deliver products based on business objectives.
• Serves as the customer relationship lead for data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization products, interacting with Business and Technology leaders across multiple projects.
• Facilitates collaborative sessions with key stakeholders to gather insights, solve complex challenges, and align on project goals for AI/ML solutions.
• Applies knowledge of data science, machine learning, traditional and generative artificial intelligence, or optimization delivery methodologies.
• Develops Executive-level communication, including project status updates and presentations.
• Synthesizes detailed data into relevant summaries for appropriate stakeholders.
• Participates in Agile ceremonies to ensure alignment with SAFe principles.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to maintain a well-groomed backlog, ensuring stories align with product goals and are ready for execution, and actively engages in prioritization discussions.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Intermediate knowledge in inductive and deductive reasoning, problem-solving approaches, and AI techniques including machine learning, traditional and generative artificial intelligence.
• Intermediate knowledge in evaluating analytic methods to propose appropriate end-to-end product roadmaps for business problems.
• Intermediate knowledge in leveraging value definition frameworks and methodologies for sizing, scoping, and prioritizing data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization initiatives.
• Skilled in using enterprise communication tools to develop and deliver messaging for complex technical projects.
• Skilled in utilizing product management tools that align to SAFe principles to define product roadmaps and project plans.
• Ability to build trust with all levels of Employees, including functional leaders, and manage highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to lead moderate to complex data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or optimization projects, including business stakeholder meetings and solution definition.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to adjust to a variety of situations and changing approaches/methodology to meet objectives.

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED

Experience

• Advanced level experience and seasoned knowledge in data analysis and advanced analytics.
• Consulting and management experience with data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence projects.
• Visualization and presentation development and delivery.
• Solving ambiguous and complex problems through a systems thinking approach.
• Preferred: Experience delivering AI/ML or data‑driven product initiatives, including scoping, valuation, user story creation, and iterative delivery within Agile/SAFe environments.
• Preferred: Experience in stakeholder facilitation, executive‑level communication, and translating complex technical topics into clear business language.
• Preferred: Familiarity with AI delivery methodologies, value sizing frameworks, and enterprise data ecosystems.
• Preferred: Experience with tools that support product roadmapping, backlog management, and cross‑functional communication (e.i., Jira Align and Confluence).

Key skills/competency

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Generative AI
• Data Science
• Product Management
• Agile/SAFe
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Problem Solving
• Analytics
• Communication