Data Engineering Summer 2026 Intern

Notice: 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. Be sure to attach a resume to your application.

Join our dynamic Learning Technology team within the Department of SWA University as a Data Engineering Intern. We’re a close-knit team of five—three Data Analysts and two Data Engineers—who collaborate with program analysts and product owners to deliver end-to-end analytic solutions that support learning and integration initiatives. In this role, you’ll gain hands-on experience building and optimizing data pipelines, transforming raw data into actionable insights, and contributing to projects that directly impact how we learn and grow as an organization. 

Additional Details

• Join Southwest as a Summer 2026 Intern, with a 12-week internship lasting from May 19 – August 7, 2026.

• Pay of $23-25 per hour, corresponding with progress toward degree

• Stipends may be offered based on eligibility and program criteria

• 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 (2702 Love Field Drive).

• Dedicate 40 hours each week (maximum of 8 hours per day) to your internship responsibilities and tasks.

• Receive free, unlimited space available travel privileges for yourself (taxes and fees may apply on international travel).

• Interns will be provided any required equipment, such as a laptop, for the 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 Engineering Intern may include, but are not limited to: 

• Support testing of data pipelines and integrations (e.g., between People and Training applications, such as Workday and Cornerstone). 

• Assist to isolate errors in data flow or transformation logic and document findings. 

• Contribute to automating manual processes such as training assignment tracking, report generation, or data syncing between systems. 

• Build or update dashboards and reports using tools like Tableau or Alteryx to reflect data from both LMS (eLearning Platform) systems. 

• Document technical processes, data definitions, and system behaviors during the transition of Learning Management systems (LMS). 

• Assist in monitoring data quality, flag duplicates or inconsistencies, and support cleanup efforts. 

• Participate in user acceptance testing (UAT) for LMS features and reporting tools. 

• Conduct and participate in quality control activities and provide meaningful feedback. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Problem solving ability and strong written/verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to understand new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making. 

• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel).  

• Knowledge of relational database coding languages, like SQL. 

• Ability to work independently and willingness to function as part of a team.  

• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and complete assignments with tight deadlines.  

• Self-starter with a high degree of autonomy and accountability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Education

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required   

• Progress towards degree, major, or minor Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Analytics OR similar 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.  

• At least 3 semesters remaining at the time the internship ends is preferred

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application.   

Basic Qualifications   

• Must be at least 18 years of age   

• You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process   

Experience

• Preferred: Familiarity with data tools such as Alteryx, Tableau, and Microsoft Office 365 applications. 

• Preferred: Foundational understanding of relational databases and how data is structured and queried. 

• Preferred: Hands-on experience or coursework involving SQL for data manipulation and analysis.