Southwest Airlines Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Southwest Airlines is dedicated to connecting people to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel.

The Data Engineer role at Southwest Airlines is integral to the AI Data Deliver Team, focusing on delivering data engineering and analytics solutions in real-time. In this position, you will be responsible for assembling large and complex datasets that meet both functional and non-functional business requirements. Key responsibilities also include identifying and implementing internal process improvements to enhance scalability and data delivery, as well as building the necessary infrastructure for optimal data extraction, transformation, and loading using AWS and SQL technologies.

A successful candidate will possess a strong foundation in cloud infrastructure and data lakes, with proven ETL experience to ensure data integrity. Familiarity with various data formats, coding skills, and a background in agile methodologies are essential. Additionally, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills are vital, as you will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including executive, product, and design teams, to address data-related technical issues.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by highlighting the key aspects of the role and what Southwest Airlines values in its Data Engineers, enabling you to articulate your experiences effectively and demonstrate your fit within the team.

The interview process for a Data Engineer position at Southwest Airlines is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with the company's values.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with an initial phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This conversation usually lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your resume, professional background, and general fit for the role. Expect to answer behavioral questions that explore your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities of a Data Engineer. The recruiter may also discuss the company culture and the specific expectations for the role.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This may be conducted via video call or in person, depending on the circumstances. During this interview, you will be asked to demonstrate your technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Questions may cover topics such as data structures, SQL, ETL processes, and cloud technologies like AWS. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data manipulation and any relevant projects you've worked on.

3. Panel Interview

The next step often involves a panel interview with team members and the hiring manager. This session is more in-depth and may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions. The panel will likely ask you to elaborate on your previous work, particularly focusing on your experience with data engineering, data pipelines, and any relevant tools or technologies. You may also encounter scenario-based questions that assess your critical thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world situations.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted with senior leadership or additional stakeholders. This interview is designed to gauge your alignment with the company's mission and values, as well as your long-term career aspirations. Expect to discuss your vision for the role and how you can contribute to the team's success. Questions may also touch on your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and your approach to overcoming challenges in a data-driven environment.

Throughout the interview process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the role and the company, as well as their ability to adapt and learn in a fast-paced environment.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each stage, focusing on both your technical expertise and your interpersonal skills.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Southwest Airlines prides itself on a friendly and supportive work environment. Familiarize yourself with their core values and mission, which focus on connecting people and providing excellent customer service. During the interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with the company’s culture. Be prepared to share examples of how you’ve contributed to a positive team environment in your previous roles.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions. The interviewers will likely ask about your past experiences, particularly how you’ve handled challenges or worked with teams. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This will help you articulate your experiences clearly and show how you can apply those lessons to the role at Southwest.

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a Data Engineer, you will be expected to have a strong grasp of data engineering principles, cloud technologies, and ETL processes. Be ready to discuss your experience with AWS, SQL, and any relevant programming languages. Prepare to explain complex technical concepts in a way that is understandable to non-technical stakeholders, as collaboration with various teams is a key part of the role.

Be Ready for Panel Interviews

You may encounter panel interviews where multiple team members will ask questions. This format can be intimidating, but remember that it’s an opportunity to showcase your ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders. Engage with each panel member, making eye contact and addressing their questions directly. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the company’s future direction. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you. Questions about how the team measures success or how they handle challenges can provide valuable insights.

Dress Professionally

Even though Southwest Airlines has a reputation for being casual and friendly, it’s important to dress professionally for your interview. A polished appearance can make a positive first impression and shows that you take the opportunity seriously. Aim for business casual attire to strike the right balance.

Follow Up

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific points from the conversation that resonated with you, reinforcing your interest in the role. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Data Engineer role at Southwest Airlines. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at Southwest Airlines. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data engineering, cloud technologies, and your approach to teamwork and collaboration.

Technical Skills

1. Describe your experience with ETL processes and how you ensure data integrity during these processes.

This question aims to gauge your understanding of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and your practical experience in maintaining data quality.

How to Answer

Discuss specific ETL tools you have used, the challenges you faced, and the strategies you implemented to ensure data integrity.

Example

“I have extensive experience with ETL processes using tools like AWS Glue and Apache NiFi. In my previous role, I implemented data validation checks at each stage of the ETL pipeline, which helped identify discrepancies early and ensured that only clean data was loaded into our data warehouse.”

2. Can you explain the difference between UNION and UNION ALL in SQL?

This question tests your SQL knowledge, which is crucial for a Data Engineer role.

How to Answer

Clearly define both terms and provide examples of when you would use each.

Example

“UNION combines the results of two queries and removes duplicates, while UNION ALL includes all results, including duplicates. I typically use UNION when I need a distinct set of results, but I prefer UNION ALL for performance when I know there will be no duplicates.”

3. What strategies do you use to optimize data delivery and processing?

This question assesses your ability to improve data workflows.

How to Answer

Discuss specific techniques or tools you have used to enhance data processing efficiency.

Example

“I focus on optimizing data delivery by implementing partitioning and indexing strategies in our databases. For instance, I used partitioning in our data lake to improve query performance, which reduced processing time by 30%.”

4. Describe a REST service you’ve built and how you ensured it could scale.

This question evaluates your experience with building scalable data services.

How to Answer

Explain the architecture of the service, the technologies used, and how you addressed scalability.

Example

“I built a RESTful API using Flask and deployed it on AWS Lambda. To ensure scalability, I implemented auto-scaling policies based on traffic patterns and used DynamoDB for a serverless database solution, which allowed the service to handle varying loads efficiently.”

5. How do you approach debugging a data pipeline?

This question tests your problem-solving skills in a data engineering context.

How to Answer

Outline your systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues in data pipelines.

Example

“When debugging a data pipeline, I start by reviewing logs to identify where the failure occurred. I then isolate the problematic component, whether it’s an ETL job or a data source, and run tests to pinpoint the issue. For example, I once discovered a data type mismatch that caused a job to fail, which I resolved by adjusting the schema.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time you had to take initiative in a project.

This question assesses your leadership and proactive problem-solving abilities.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where your initiative led to a positive outcome.

Example

“In my last role, I noticed that our data ingestion process was slow and prone to errors. I took the initiative to propose a new architecture using AWS Kinesis for real-time data streaming, which improved our ingestion speed by 50% and reduced errors significantly.”

2. How do you handle working with difficult team members?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to conflict resolution and maintaining a positive team dynamic.

Example

“I believe in open communication, so when I encounter a difficult team member, I try to understand their perspective first. For instance, I once worked with a colleague who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss our project goals and found common ground, which improved our collaboration.”

3. Can you give an example of a challenging data problem you solved?

This question looks for your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Describe the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“I faced a challenge with inconsistent data from multiple sources. I developed a data normalization process that standardized the data formats before ingestion. This not only improved data quality but also streamlined our reporting processes.”

4. Why do you want to work for Southwest Airlines?

This question assesses your motivation and cultural fit.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for the company’s mission and how your values align with theirs.

Example

“I admire Southwest Airlines’ commitment to customer service and innovation. I want to contribute to a company that values teamwork and creativity, and I believe my skills in data engineering can help enhance operational efficiency and customer experience.”

5. How do you prioritize your tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks and managing deadlines.

Example

“I use a combination of project management tools and techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. This approach helps me focus on high-impact projects while ensuring that I meet all deadlines.”