Senior Data Scientist - Operations Research
United Airlines Holdings
Chicago, IL · Posted April 24, 2026
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Where Chicago, IL ranks
Where Chicago, IL placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for government pay after cost of living$146k · of 18
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Midwest684 jobs · of 51
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in the Great Lakes684 jobs · of 36
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Midwest1,140 openings · of 59
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in the Great Lakes1,140 openings · of 48
- #1Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Midwest80 / 100 · of 20
Rankings about data & analytics jobs
- Best cities for data and analytics jobs #1 New York (1,713 openings)
- Best cities for data and analytics pay after cost of living #1 Foster ($232k)
- Most requested AI skills in data and analytics jobs #1 Machine learning engineering (17.1%)
- AI tools named most often in data and analytics jobs #1 Databricks (7.6%)
- Employers with the most data and analytics jobs #1 Amazon (711 roles)
Data & Analytics jobs · Top Data & Analytics employers · All rankings
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 92 open senior data scientist listings that state pay, the middle half runs $149,500 to $211,500 and the median is $178,000.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
Senior Data Scientist salaries by state · Check your own pay
How AI is used in this kind of work
Among data scientists, AI is already used for a large share of the tasks. Measured exposure for data scientists: 46% (high).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
Skills this job asks for
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About the job
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
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