Senior Data Scientist - Operations Research

The senior data scientist - operations research at United Airlines will deliver mathematical modelling and analysis to support financial, operational, and strategic planning decisions. The role involves developing and implementing operations research solutions using advanced programming languages and optimisation tools such as CPLEX, AMPL, or OPL. Responsibilities include model prototyping, hypothesis testing, and presenting analytical findings. Candidates must hold an advanced degree in operations research or a related quantitative discipline, possess experience with mathematical programming, and demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in C, C++, Java, R, Python, or similar structured programming languages is required. The position offers a base salary range of $117,610 to $153,146, with eligibility for bonuses and comprehensive benefits. The Senior Data Scientist – Operations Research at United Airlines plays a pivotal role in supporting critical financial, operational, and strategic planning decisions through advanced mathematical modeling and analysis. This position is responsible for developing and implementing quantitative solutions using operations research, machine learning, and structured programming languages. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, providing analytical support to clients, and contributing to the development of innovative digital solutions. Compensation for this role ranges from $117,610 to $153,146, with eligibility for bonuses, long-term incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k), and flight privileges. Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting-edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions.

Job overview and responsibilities

Provides mathematical modeling and analysis services to support critical financial, operational, and/or strategic planning decisions and engages in supporting project teams in value added activities that generate practical solutions to complex business problems, explores new business alternatives, and drives improvement in business decisions

• Develops the approach and methods to define and solve management problems through quantitative analysis and analytical models using operations research, machine learning, and structured programming languages
• Identifies, researches, or solves large complex problems using big data and operations research and machine learning principles
• Leverages understanding of the business process to identify and implement operations research solutions that will result in significant bottom-line contributions
• Builds and develops operations research/optimization mathematical model applications, and provides client support leveraging operations research knowledge
• Participates in model design, prototype, and model development for several efforts that occur simultaneously, and interfaces with product delivery groups
• Raises concerns when scope of analysis may not align with time available and can choose an appropriate scope of analysis to conduct balancing ROI to time available
• Designs analytic plan/develop hypotheses to test; understands limitations of analysis (what it can and cannot be used for)
• Anticipates working team questions to data and approach
• Identifies solution quality risks and on-time risks
• Understands the business value, process, and expectations before focusing on choice of a technical solution
• Understands the intuition behind the numbers (i.e. does it make sense?)
• Provides on-going analytical services to client organizations
• Communicates results to management and clients
• Contributes deck content and builds the story for the deck with guidance to summarize findings
• Develops and delivers presentations aligned with Ai standards
• Speaks in a manner appropriate for working team and their level +1
• Keeps informed about the latest analytical methods and research in the operations research and analytics fields

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Advanced degree (PhD or ABD) in Operations Research or other related quantitative discipline involving quantitative analysis and application of advanced operations research principles

• Coursework or work experience with mathematical programming techniques

• Coursework or work experience in model prototyping through use of optimization toolkit(s) including CPLEX, AMPL, or OPL

• Coursework or work experience with C, C++, Java, R, Python, or other structured programming language

• Good business, technical, verbal/written communication, presentation and sales skills. Adaptability to changing business environment

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with clients

• Proficient with MS Office

• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification

• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Minor in computer science and/or formal advanced computer science coursework preferred
• 2+ years of professional experience in analytical field
• 1+ years of airline business experience
• 1+ years designing and programming/coding data structures for large-scale computer models
• Experience with Julia programming language
• Knowledge of United/industry data sources
• Structured programming for large-scale computer models
• Demonstrated ability to create business value

The base pay range for this role is $117,610.00 to $153,146.00.
The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, factors such as experience, education, and skills. This position is also eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [Job Accommodations@united.com](mailto:Job Accommodations@united.com)

United's Digital Technology team is comprised of many talented individuals all working together with cutting-edge technology to build the best airline in the history of aviation. Our team designs, develops and maintains massively scaling technology solutions brought to life with innovative architectures, data analytics, and digital solutions.

Job overview and responsibilities

Provides mathematical modeling and analysis services to support critical financial, operational, and/or strategic planning decisions and engages in supporting project teams in value added activities that generate practical solutions to complex business problems, explores new business alternatives, and drives improvement in business decisions

• Develops the approach and methods to define and solve management problems through quantitative analysis and analytical models using operations research, machine learning, and structured programming languages
• Identifies, researches, or solves large complex problems using big data and operations research and machine learning principles
• Leverages understanding of the business process to identify and implement operations research solutions that will result in significant bottom-line contributions
• Builds and develops operations research/optimization mathematical model applications, and provides client support leveraging operations research knowledge
• Participates in model design, prototype, and model development for several efforts that occur simultaneously, and interfaces with product delivery groups
• Raises concerns when scope of analysis may not align with time available and can choose an appropriate scope of analysis to conduct balancing ROI to time available
• Designs analytic plan/develop hypotheses to test; understands limitations of analysis (what it can and cannot be used for)
• Anticipates working team questions to data and approach
• Identifies solution quality risks and on-time risks
• Understands the business value, process, and expectations before focusing on choice of a technical solution
• Understands the intuition behind the numbers (i.e. does it make sense?)
• Provides on-going analytical services to client organizations
• Communicates results to management and clients
• Contributes deck content and builds the story for the deck with guidance to summarize findings
• Develops and delivers presentations aligned with Ai standards
• Speaks in a manner appropriate for working team and their level +1
• Keeps informed about the latest analytical methods and research in the operations research and analytics fields

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Advanced degree (PhD or ABD) in Operations Research or other related quantitative discipline involving quantitative analysis and application of advanced operations research principles

• Coursework or work experience with mathematical programming techniques

• Coursework or work experience in model prototyping through use of optimization toolkit(s) including CPLEX, AMPL, or OPL

• Coursework or work experience with C, C++, Java, R, Python, or other structured programming language

• Good business, technical, verbal/written communication, presentation and sales skills. Adaptability to changing business environment

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with clients

• Proficient with MS Office

• Successful completion of interview required to meet job qualification

• Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of the position

What will help you propel from the pack (Preferred Qualifications):

• Minor in computer science and/or formal advanced computer science coursework preferred
• 2+ years of professional experience in analytical field
• 1+ years of airline business experience
• 1+ years designing and programming/coding data structures for large-scale computer models
• Experience with Julia programming language
• Knowledge of United/industry data sources
• Structured programming for large-scale computer models
• Demonstrated ability to create business value

Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo.

• All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using Responsibilities
• Responsible for providing mathematical modeling and analysis services to support critical financial, operational, and strategic planning decisions.
• Play a key role in shaping operational research solutions that contribute significantly to business outcomes.
• Help drive innovation in business decisions by exploring new business alternatives and generating practical solutions to complex problems.
• Take ownership of developing approaches and methods to define and solve management problems using quantitative analysis and analytical models.
• Deliver high-quality analytic plans and hypotheses to test, while understanding the limitations of analysis and balancing ROI with time.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to interface with product delivery groups and participate in model design, prototype, and development.
• Lead efforts to communicate results to management and clients, and build deck content for presentations aligned with AI standards.
• Provide ongoing analytical services to client organisations and contribute to the development of presentations. Skills
• Demonstrated proficiency with mathematical programming techniques, model prototyping, and optimisation toolkits such as CPLEX, AMPL, or OPL.
• Experience with C, C++, Java, R, Python, or other structured programming languages is required.
• Strong business, technical, verbal/written communication, presentation, and sales skills are essential.
• Adaptability to changing business environments and good interpersonal skills for client interaction are necessary.
• Proficiency with MS Office is required.
• Experience with Julia programming language is preferred.
• Knowledge of United/industry data sources and structured programming for large-scale computer models is advantageous.
• Demonstrated ability to create business value is preferred.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in an analytical field and 1 year of airline business experience are preferred.
• A minimum of 1 year designing and programming/coding data structures for large-scale computer models is preferred. Education
• An advanced degree (PhD or ABD) in Operations Research or a related quantitative discipline involving quantitative analysis and application of advanced operations research principles is required.
• Coursework or work experience with mathematical programming techniques is necessary.
• Coursework or work experience in model prototyping through use of optimisation toolkits such as CPLEX, AMPL, or OPL is required.
• Coursework or work experience with C, C++, Java, R, Python, or other structured programming languages is required.
• A minor in computer science and/or formal advanced computer science coursework is preferred.