Managing director - crew technology

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

The Managing Director, Crew Technology is a senior leadership role responsible for defining and delivering the technology strategy that powers United’s crew operations, training centers, pilot and crew pay systems, and onboard catering capabilities. This role sits at the intersection of technology, operations, and employee experience—playing a critical part in ensuring our frontline teams have the tools, data, and systems they need to operate efficiently, safely, and in alignment with United’s core values and business objectives. Reporting to the VP within Digital Technology, the Managing Director leads a multi-disciplinary team of digital technology professionals to deliver innovative, scalable, and compliant solutions. This leader will collaborate closely with enterprise stakeholders to drive digital transformation, improve crew satisfaction, and unlock operational excellence. This role will also work closely with our Advanced Analytics organization in order strategically deliver the latest AI capabilities in technology products. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and strong operator, capable of managing complex systems and regulatory environments, while fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous improvement.

Strategic Leadership & Execution:

• Define and execute the long-term technology strategy and align closely with United’s enterprise business goals.
• Stay abreast of aviation and technology trends, emerging digital capabilities, and regulatory requirements to ensure forward-thinking, competitive, and compliant tech strategies.
• Champion a customer- and crew-centric approach to technology delivery, ensuring all platforms enhance the experience of frontline employees and internal stakeholders.

Enterprise Partnership & Collaboration:

• Function as a senior technology partner to, and other critical business functions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to prioritize technology initiatives, optimize resources, and drive integrated roadmaps.
• Engage with enterprise data, security, and infrastructure teams to ensure solutions are resilient, scalable, and secure functions.

Technology Delivery & Innovation:

• Oversee end-to-end delivery of digital platforms and tools supporting the key business areas.
• Champion agile and DevSecOps practices to enable high-quality, rapid delivery of software and enhancements.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and use of emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, mobile, automation) to drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Ensure all systems comply with relevant FAA, DOT, labor contract, and international regulatory standards.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks across reliability, security, and business continuity dimensions.
• Drive governance and audit readiness for all technology solutions supporting crew and catering operations.

Team Leadership & Culture:

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing, diverse technology team across engineering, architecture, product management, and delivery roles.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, inclusion, and excellence across the organization.
• Drive employee engagement through clear communication, development opportunities, and recognition of achievement.

Business Transformation & Value Creation:

• Identify and drive digital transformation initiatives that modernize legacy systems, eliminate manual processes, and create measurable business value.
• Develop business cases and performance metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and ROI of technology investments.
• Serve as a thought leader and change agent, influencing business partners and senior leadership on the strategic use of technology.

This role is Hybrid out of Chicago and requires approximately 20% travel.

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• 
  Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Management Information Systems or equivalent.
• Must possess demonstrated understanding of technology strategy, performance management, business consulting and applicable technologies.
• 15+ years of relevant technology experience including implementing and managing large complex platforms, programming projects and leading technology organizations.
• Expertise in large high through put technology platforms, the design and delivery of high-performance technology systems, and Cloud technologies.
• Understanding and prior ownership of reliability, resiliency, and observability for tier 1 applications.
• Demonstration of a role where subject matter expertise of multiple business areas is required to guide teams and create cross functional viewpoints.
• Awareness of applicable airline industry standards and regulations.
• 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):

• 
  Master's degree.
• Experience building, deploying, and running technology solutions in the airline industry.
• Understanding of airline operations and/or crew processes.

United Airlines is an equal opportunity employer. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact [email protected] to request accommodation.

The base pay range for this role is $216,125.00 to $281,368.00.
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. United Airlines recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBT.


We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions. Please contact [email protected] to request accommodation.