Senior Data Scientist - Operations Research

Senior Data Scientist - Operations Research

Location Chicago, Illinois, United States This job is associated with 2 categories See allJob IdWHQ00026728Information TechnologyJob TypeFull-TimePosted Date 09/09/2026

Back to search results

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

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship

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 JobAccommodations@united.com

• Advanced degree (PhD or ABD) in Operations Research or related quantitative discipline with experience in mathematical programming and optimization toolkits (CPLEX, AMPL, OPL).
• Proficiency in structured programming languages such as C, C++, Java, R, or Python.
• Strong communication, interpersonal skills, MS Office proficiency, legal U.S. work authorization, and successful interview completion.