Assoc Innovation Designer

Department:

Innovation

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

As an Associate Innovation Designer, you’ll act as the Customer proxy working with Product Management and cross‑functional Teams to define and prioritize the Team Backlog so solutions meet program goals while maintaining technical integrity. You’ll participate in planning, vision refinement, and product management sessions, while mentoring Associate Product Owners and Product Owners. Sitting at the intersection of innovation and operational excellence, you’ll help define the north star for our Customer experience, identify operational risks, develop and test new concepts, and oversee execution to measure real‑world impact. If you thrive in the field, enjoy solving complex problems, and love turning insights into actionable improvements, this role offers the chance to drive meaningful, visible change across our airport 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.   

  

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

• Discover the ”why’s” behind problems through field research using ethnographic methods such as observation and find pertinent insights to identify opportunity areas for designing new solutions
• Translate research and design insights into visual models and frameworks
• Envision and sketch new ideas across a wide range of experience types: digital and physical tools, programs and services, spaces and environments, events, campaigns, roles, policies, processes, etc.
• Create concept communication tools such as storyboards, user experience journeys, and system maps for use in research, synthesis, workshops and prototype testing
• Create prototypes and gather feedback on design concepts from a wide range of audiences
• Support concept workshops and multi-disciplinary project teams through modes of design
• May perform other job duties as directed by Employee's Leaders

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Human Centered Design and Innovation mindsets, tools and techniques
• Skilled in behavioral research practices
• Skilled in using 2D and 3D Design Tools to create concepts
• Skilled in communication practices and crafting compelling stories
• Ability to translate user research into needs, design principles and criteria
• Ability to communicate effectively (both written and verbal) with diverse audiences
• Ability to bring ideas to life through model making / rapid prototyping
• Ability to use Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office Suite

Education

• Required: High School Diploma or GED
• Required: Undergraduate or Graduate level degree in a research driven field such as social sciences or related design field such as Industrial, Visual, Experience, Technology or Service designs

Experience

• Entry level experience, developing skills and knowledge in:
  • Business consulting / Strategy
  • User Research
  • Prototyping
  • Communications

• Preferred: Experience in Figma 

Licensing/ Certifications

• 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

Pay & Benefits:

• Competitive market salary from $ 70,200.00 per year to $ 78,000.00 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: 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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