Data Scientist Summer 2026 Intern

Department:

Technology

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:

Data Scientist Summer 2026 Intern

Please print/save the job description because it won’t be available after you apply.  

To be considered, please ensure that you attach a resume to your application.  

We ask that you apply with your personal email address rather than your school email (.edu) so we can stay connected about future roles at Southwest.  

Southwest Airlines promises to provide Employees with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth. We entrust our Interns working in Technology to make an impact on their Team in real-time projects, work collaboratively with other Technology Interns and workgroups.

The Intern will work full-time as a Data Scientist Intern within the Technology Department. The Intern will have the opportunity to join the AI Delivery Customer & Commercial Team. 

AI Delivery Customer & Commercial Team: Join Southwest’s AI Team – Where Innovation Takes Flight. Step into the heart of innovation with Southwest’s AI Team, where data meets impact. Whether you're passionate about boosting operational efficiency or transforming the Customer experience, you'll work on real-world projects that drive smarter decisions, reduce costs, and elevate how millions of travelers interact with our airline. Our AI team partners across the business, from Customer CARE and Marketing to Revenue Management to build intelligent solutions like personalized chatbots, optimized pricing strategies, and predictive models that shape the future of travel. 

As an Intern, you’ll gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools, collaborate with diverse Teams, and see your work make a real difference. You’ll be supported by mentorship, a culture of creativity and growth, and the opportunity to explore a future career at the intersection of technology and purpose. 

Additional Details

• This role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require travel for trainings, meetings, conferences, etc. Outside of those required visits, the majority of your working time may be spent in an approved remote location, away from our Corporate Campus. Please note, while this is a remote position, there is limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work off-site. Those ineligible locations are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, New Hampshire New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and Puerto Rico. 
• If you currently reside in an ineligible location, you may relocate to an eligible location and be considered for an internship.
• 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. 

Duties And Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of the Data Scientist Intern may include but are not limited to: 

• Assists on data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, generative AI, or optimization projects by helping analyze contextual problems and contributing to solutions that support business objectives 
• Learns and applies math, statistics, and/or modeling methods under guidance to support descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, or prescriptive analytics 
• Helps monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of models in use by stakeholders 
• Supports the formulation of solutions and assists in communicating results from data analysis and models, with direction from more experienced Data Scientists 
• Actively participates in the Southwest Airlines data science community by learning from and collaborating with team members 
• Must be able to meet any physical ability requirements listed in this description 
• May perform other job duties as assigned 

Knowledge, Skills, Work Style and Abilities:   

• Classroom and/or industry experience using Python for data analysis, modeling, or scripting preferred 
• Knowledge of foundational statistics and math concepts preferred 
• Knowledge of descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive statistical methods and their differences preferred 
• Basic knowledge of, at a broad level, how technology platforms and architectures are applicable to data science preferred 
• Knowledge of data science project life cycle including engaging stakeholders to define the problem, solution definition, project planning, and executing per plan preferred 
• Academic exposure to compiling, cleaning, transforming, analysis, and visualization of large-scale data preferred 
• Skilled in statistical and scripting programming languages preferred 
• With guidance of a data scientist, ability to participate in evaluation of which data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence techniques and methods are appropriate for a business problem and make recommendations for solutions 
• Ability to communicate in an engaging way with strong verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences up to and including functional leaders  

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Time Commitment And Pay:

• Required: Full-time 40 hours a week   
• Must maintain a consistent weekly schedule during normal business hours at a max of 8 hours per day   
• Program Dates: May 19 – August 7, 2026 
• $25-$29 per hour, corresponding with progress toward degree (students with more completed semesters may qualify for higher rates within the range) 
• Stipends may be offered based on eligibility and program criteria 

To apply, you must submit your application and upload a resume for each role online at www.southwest.com/careers.  

We are committed to helping individuals with disabilities participate in the workforce and ensuring equal opportunity to apply and compete for jobs. If you need accommodation at any point in the hiring process due to a disability, you may email the Accommodations Team or call 877-792-4792.     

Education:

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required.   
• Progress towards an undergraduate or graduate degree in Mathematics, Computer or Data Sciences, Information Technology or related degree required.   
• Progress towards a 4-year undergraduate degree preferred  
• To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled as a full-time student (as defined by your university) at the time of application and during the internship  
• 1-2 semesters remaining at the time the internship ends is preferred  
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application 
• Must be at least 18 years of age.    ​
• You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process.    
• As an Intern, you can expect to:    
• 1-2 semesters remaining at the time the internship ends is preferred  
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application 
• Must be at least 18 years of age.    ​
• You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process.    
• As an Intern, you can expect to:    

Other Qualifications:

• Receive free, unlimited space available travel privileges for yourself (taxes and fees may apply on international travel).  
• Interns will be provided with any required equipment, such as a laptop, for the internship.  
• Southwest Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Please print/save this job description because it won't be available after you apply.