Optimization Engineer - Commercial

Summary
The Optimization Engineer – Commercial transforms complex commercial decisions into model-based solutions that improve profitability outcomes and automate manual processes. The position combines operations research modeling skills with software engineering fundamentals to deliver reliable, production-ready workflows. They will iterate on existing optimization logic to enhance model outputs, drive automation in production systems, debug errors in recurring runs, and collaborate with stakeholders on new feature requests. This role partners closely with the Commercial Data Science team to integrate predictive models into prescriptive processes. The employee will be expected to continuously upskill in the relevant areas and work toward ownership of their assigned systems.

Visa Sponsorship Available
No

Minimum Requirements
Combination of Education and Experience will be considered. Must be authorized to work in the US as defined by the Immigration Act of 1986. Must pass a Criminal Background Check.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, Statistics, or related field.
Years of Experience: Minimum two (2) years of experience in a technical environment.

• Proficiency in writing production-quality code in Python, utilizing libraries like Pandas/NumPy and using advanced techniques such as vectorization and parallelization.
• Strong foundation in operations research techniques, including linear/nonlinear/integer programming, network/assignment models, simulation, and/or stochastic optimization.
• Experience building optimization models using Python libraries such as PuLP, Pyomo, OR-Tools, SciPy, etc.
• Understanding of predictive modeling and forecasting methods such as machine learning, time series, deep learning, reinforcement learning, etc., and their implementation in Python (e.g., scikit-learn, Prophet, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Knowledge of statistical concepts like regression and hypothesis testing for experiment evaluation.
• Competency in querying data using SQL and performing exploratory analysis.
• Ability to clearly communicate with users and stakeholders regarding feature requests, modeling choices, and experiment results through visuals, reports, and demos.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and an ownership mindset in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Requirements
• Master’s degree or higher in a related field.
• Exposure to airline economics problems such as route planning, capacity allocation, scheduling, pricing, and revenue management.
• Experience with commercial solvers such as Gurobi, CPLEX, FICO Xpress, etc.
• Familiarity with cloud services/model execution environments (e.g., AWS) and version control practices (e.g., GitHub).
• Familiarity with front-end development in JavaScript and Excel VBA.
• Fluency in the use of generative AI tools to accelerate the software development process, like GitHub Copilot and Claude Code.

Job Duties
• Formulate airline commercial decision problems into rigorous quantitative models, applying methods from operations research, data science, statistics, and econometrics to increase revenue and decrease costs.
• Build and improve optimization models within Python-based decision support systems by refining assumptions, constraints, objective formulations, and solution strategies to improve performance and stability.
• Design and execute structured evaluations of model features, assumptions, and parameter changes in optimization models using back-testing, controlled experiments, or simulation to assess impact on solution quality, stability, and business outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Commercial Data Science team to develop and incorporate machine learning solutions into relevant decision support tools.
• Extract, transform, and load data from structured/unstructured cloud and non-cloud sources via Python and SQL to create reliable inputs for decision models and recurring workflows.
• Support production systems end-to-end, including troubleshooting data/model issues, diagnosing performance or stability problems, and implementing improvements to robustness, monitoring, and error handling.
• Work with stakeholders to define requirements, implement enhancements, and deliver user-facing improvements to decision support tools.
• Communicate analytical results, model behavior, and trade-offs through clear documentation, reporting, and presentations that facilitate understanding by both technical and non-technical stakeholders/users.
• Independently identify and execute refactors that drive automation, improve performance, reduce redundancy, and increase maintainability.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by documenting methodologies, applying best coding practices, self-learning in relevant mathematical/computer science topics, and staying updated on airline industry trends.
• Model Allegiant’s customer service standards in personal actions and when providing leadership direction.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements
The Physical Demands and Work Environment described here are a representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Office - While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, see, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, key board, printer, and phone. May be required to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 20 lbs. May be required to work various shifts/days in a 24-hour situation. Regular attendance is a requirement of the role. Exposure to moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones, printers, and foot traffic), temperature and light fluctuations. Ability to work in a confined area as well as the ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time. Some travel may be a requirement of the role.

Essential Services Provider
Allegiant as a national air carrier is deemed an essential service provider during declared national and state emergencies. Team Members will be required to report to their assigned trip or work location during national and state emergencies unless prohibited by local, state or federal order.

EEO Statement
We welcome all individuals from varied backgrounds and experiences to apply. Our company values the unique perspectives and talents that each person brings to our team.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran
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$80,000 - $100,000 a year