Flight Operations Flight Instructor

Job Description

About the Company All of Southwest’s People come together to deliver on the company Purpose: connecting people to what’s important in their lives through friendly, reliable and low-cost air travel. Southwest is committed to providing Employees a stable work environment with equal opportunity for learning and personal growth, and encourages creativity and innovation to improve the effectiveness of the airline. Department: Flight Operations. Role Overview The Flight Operations Flight Instructor supports the Flight Operations Department by providing training to pilots in accordance with the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), the Advanced Qualification Program Manual (AQPM), the Flight Operations Training Manual (FOTM) and company requirements and agreements. The role conducts training in the classroom and in simulators to ensure pilots have the knowledge and hands-on experience to provide customers with a safe and reliable flight. The Flight Operations Flight Instructor has strong interpersonal and communication skills, which help them facilitate proper flight instruction. Due to the nature of this role, you would be required to work from the Dallas, Texas headquarters facility during business hours. U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. is required; no current or future work authorization sponsorship is available. Key Responsibilities Prepare and conduct classroom and simulator training in accordance with the FARs, training policies and manuals, and company requirements Facilitate pilot learning Develop and create instructional and evaluation media and materials in support of training programs Maintain course material and procedural integrity through self-study, skills practice, critique review and instructor meetings May perform other job duties as directed by the Employee’s Leaders Licences & Qualifications Required: USA DOT/FAA unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate , displaying the “Airplane Multiengine Land” category and class ratings and the “English Proficient” limitation Required: paper or electronic logbook with at least the last 500 hours of flight time recorded Required: a valid United States driver’s licence Required: must meet all regulatory criteria to obtain and maintain Flight Deck Jumpseat Access; the position requires successful and continuous enrollment in Rap Back Education required: high school diploma or GED Experience Required: flying experience operating an aircraft Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge and experience in the operation of training equipment, including computer-based training workstations Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs Knowledge of flight training instructional duties along with a good working knowledge of FAR training requirements Excellent English verbal communication and interpersonal skills Ability to read technical aircraft documents, follow technical instructions, learn and understand new technical concepts, and prepare written technical documents that convey information or guidance understandably Ability to accomplish accurate work under tight time constraints while maintaining a high degree of flexibility Ability to work various assigned hours as necessary, which may include evenings, weekends and holidays, with a rotating assigned work schedule covering operational hours (365 days a year, up to 24 hours a day) Physical Abilities Vision ability to view and read computer, video and flight deck displays on a frequent basis Able to participate in the FAR-directed Line Observation Program and to enter and exit the aircraft under normal and emergency conditions Able to enter and exit the flight simulator, cabin simulator or mock-up and briefing rooms under normal and emergency conditions Able to sit in the simulator uninterrupted for up to 4 hours Able to perform work duties from a limited-space workstation, desk or office area for extended periods Able to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job Able to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy Able to move or transport 25 lbs on an occasional basis (under 50%) Able to work at elevated heights and operate a flight simulator Able to manipulate applicable flight controls at full deflection Able to pass an annual flight evaluation Able to converse, present and facilitate for up to 8 hours, and to make and receive audible call-outs in classroom and simulator settings Other Qualifications Must be at least 23 years of age Must maintain a well-groomed appearance per company appearance standards Must be a U.S. citizen or have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, without requiring sponsorship now or in the future Must comply with company attendance standards and maintain professional behaviour on and after company hours and at company events Must be able to work rotating shifts, holidays and overtime, and extended hours as needed Must meet confidentiality expectations regarding confidential, proprietary and sensitive company information Air travel with overnight stays required What We Offer Pay: $78.94 per hour, with the opportunity for future increase per the applicable collective bargaining agreement wage scale based on time in position; opportunities for overtime and shift premiums. The pay amount does not guarantee employment for any particular period Fly free, as a privilege, on any open seat on all Southwest flights, for you and your eligible dependents Southwest helps fund the Retirement Savings Plan, including a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) company match contribution of up to 10% of eligible earnings, subject to the plan’s vesting schedule; match contributions may vary based on the position Potential for an annual profit-sharing contribution in the Southwest Retirement Savings Plan, subject to the vesting schedule and made at the discretion of the company Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents, with coverage options starting from the first day of employment; 30 days to select and enroll, with coverage retroactively available to your first day Additional Information Requisition reference: SOUTUSR202669180ENUSEXTERNAL (Workday R202669180). Posted 15 June 2026.

Requirements

• Prepare and conduct classroom and simulator training in accordance with the FARs, training policies and manuals, and company requirements
• Facilitate pilot learning
• Develop and create instructional and evaluation media and materials in support of training programs
• Maintain course material and procedural integrity through self-study, skills practice, critique review and instructor meetings
• May perform other job duties as directed by the Employee’s Leaders
• Required: USA DOT/FAA unrestricted Airline Transport Pilot Certificate , displaying the “Airplane Multiengine Land” category and class ratings and the “English Proficient” limitation
• Required: paper or electronic logbook with at least the last 500 hours of flight time recorded
• Required: a valid United States driver’s licence
• Required: must meet all regulatory criteria to obtain and maintain Flight Deck Jumpseat Access; the position requires successful and continuous enrollment in Rap Back
• Education required: high school diploma or GED
• Required: flying experience operating an aircraft
• Knowledge and experience in the operation of training equipment, including computer-based training workstations
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
• Knowledge of flight training instructional duties along with a good working knowledge of FAR training requirements
• Excellent English verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to read technical aircraft documents, follow technical instructions, learn and understand new technical concepts, and prepare written technical documents that convey information or guidance understandably
• Ability to accomplish accurate work under tight time constraints while maintaining a high degree of flexibility
• Ability to work various assigned hours as necessary, which may include evenings, weekends and holidays, with a rotating assigned work schedule covering operational hours (365 days a year, up to 24 hours a day)
• Vision ability to view and read computer, video and flight deck displays on a frequent basis
• Able to participate in the FAR-directed Line Observation Program and to enter and exit the aircraft under normal and emergency conditions
• Able to enter and exit the flight simulator, cabin simulator or mock-up and briefing rooms under normal and emergency conditions
• Able to sit in the simulator uninterrupted for up to 4 hours
• Able to perform work duties from a limited-space workstation, desk or office area for extended periods
• Able to communicate and interact with others in the English language to meet the demands of the job
• Able to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed and accuracy

Benefits

• Competitive health insurance for you and your eligible dependents, with coverage options starting from the first day of employment; 30 days to select and enroll, with coverage retroactively available to your first day